Marrakech Cooking

Marrakech Cooking Class, Market Visit Small-Group Tour

Food, wine & nightlife in Morocco

What better place to learn how to cook Moroccan food than Marrakech? Learn some Arabic phrases from your expert guide and practice them while shopping at a souq, or open-air market, for fresh local ingredients. Follow your guide’s instructions to make a classic Moroccan dish such as a tagine, a stew of meat and vegetables named after the earthenware pot in which it's cooked. Savor the fruits of your labor during a luncheon with fellow foodies at a riad, a traditional Moroccan house with an interior courtyard.This small-group tour is limited to 12 people for a more intimate experience.

After meeting your guide in Djemaa El Fna in central Marrakech, you will head to a riad in the medina -- an ancient part of town -- to begin your Moroccan food experience. Learn some Arabic words for the ingredients you’ll need before going to a souq to shop for meat, vegetables and – most importantly – spices. Seek out native ingredients such as saffron from Taliouine, olives and mint from Meknes and citrus fruits from Fez. Then, return to the riad and roll up your sleeves to begin your hands-on cooking class. Under your guide’s direction, make a traditional Moroccan dish such as a tagine or the similar tangia; couscous, steamed semolina with meat or vegetables; pastila, a dessert made of apples; or harira, a hearty soup often eaten with dates. After the cooking's done, it's time to feast! For lunch, savor the authentic Moroccan meal you helped make in the tranquil atmosphere of your riad. Take home a recipe sheet so you can use your new-found knowledge of Moroccan cooking to impress your family and friends. Following your 4-hour culinary experience, go to Djemaa El Fna, where you can shop for spices to bring home and continue to immerse yourself in the heady sights and sounds of Marrakech.

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Marrakech Djemaa El Fna

Djemaa El Fna

Top choice square in Djemaa El Fna & Around

Think of it as live-action channel-surfing: everywhere you look in the Djemaa El Fna, Marrakesh’s main square, you’ll discover drama in progress. The hoopla and halqa (street theatre) has been non-stop here ever since this plaza was the site of public executions around AD 1050 – hence its name, which means ‘assembly of the dead’.
By mid-morning the soundtrack of snake-charmer flutes has already begun, but the show doesn't kick off until sunset when restaurants fire up their grills, cueing musicians to tune up their instruments.

Unesco declared the Djemaa El Fna a 'Masterpiece of World Heritage' in 2001 for bringing urban legends and oral history to life nightly and although the storytellers who once performed here have since given way to acrobats, musical performers, and slapstick comedy acts, Djemaa's nightly carnival continues to dazzle. Berber musicians strike up the music and Gnaoua troupes sing while henna tattoo artists beckon to passers by and water-sellers in fringed hats clang brass cups together, hoping to drive people to drink. This is a show you don't want to miss and it's a bargain too. Applause and a few dirhams ensure an encore.
The square's many eclectic exhibitions are not without a darker side though; you are very likely to see monkeys, kept in cages throughout the day, led around on chains for entertainment, and some of the practices of the plaza's snake charmers are ethically questionable, to say the least.
While wandering around the Djemaa at any time of day stay alert to cars, motorbikes and horse-drawn-carriage traffic, which whiz around the perimeter of the plaza. Also be on guard against pickpockets and rogue gropers who are known to work the crowds particularly after sunset. To nab prime seats on makeshift stools (women and elders get preference) around musician circles, arrive early in the evening.

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Welcome to Morocco

Welcome to Morocco

Morocco is a gateway to Africa, and a country of dizzying diversity. Here you'll find epic mountain ranges, ancient cities, sweeping deserts – and warm hospitality.

Mountains & Desert

From Saharan dunes to the peaks of the High Atlas, Morocco could have been tailor-made for travellers. Lyrical landscapes carpet this slice of North Africa like the richly coloured and patterned rugs you’ll lust after in local cooperatives. The mountains – not just the famous High Atlas but also the Rif and suntanned ranges leading to Saharan oases – offer simple, breathtaking pleasures: night skies glistening in the thin air, and views over a fluffy cloudbank from the Tizi n’Test pass. On lower ground, there are rugged coastlines, waterfalls and caves in forested hills, and the mighty desert.

Ancient Medinas

Morocco's cities are some of the most exciting on the continent. Join the centuries-old trail of nomads and traders to their ancient hearts, from the winding medina maze of Fez to the carnivalesque street-theatre of the Djemaa el-Fna in Marrakesh. In the rocky deserts medinas are protected by kasbahs, on the coast by thick sea walls. But it's not just a heritage trip, as Morocco's cities are forward-facing too, with glitzy new urban design in Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier looking to the future as well as paying homage to their roots.

Moroccan Activities

Enjoying Morocco starts with nothing more strenuous than its national pastime – people-watching in a street cafe with a coffee or a mint tea. Use the opportunity to plan your next moves – hiking up North Africa’s highest peak, learning to roll couscous, camel trekking in the desert, shopping in the souqs or getting lost in the medina. Between the activities, you can sleep in boutique riads, relax on panoramic terraces and grand squares, and mop up delicately flavoured tajines – before sweating it all out in a restorative hammam.

Traditional Life

Morocco is a storied country, that has, over the centuries, woven its ties to Sub-Saharan Africa,
Europe and the wider Middle East into whole cloth. Its mixed Arab and Berber population forms a strong national identity, but an increasingly youthful one, taking the best of its traditions and weaving the pattern anew – from the countryside to the city, from the call to prayer from the mosque to the beat of local hip hop. Morocco has a hundred faces and sounds, all ready to welcome the traveller looking for spice and adventure.

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  ?What Continent Is Morocco In

Morocco is located in the northern region of the continent of Africa

Officially, Morocco is known as the Kingdom of Morocco. The basis of the name “Morocco” is Marrakesh, which is its capital according to the Almohad Caliphate and the Almoravid dynasty. The origin of the name Marrakesh is unclear and is still disputed. Most likely the name originates from the Berber words “amur” and “akush”, which translate to “Land of God.” In the Turkish language, Morocco is known as “Fas” which is a name that originates from its prehistoric capital which was called Fes. In other parts of the Islamic nations until the middle of the 20^th century, Morocco’s common name in Middle Eastern Arabic and Egypt literary works was Marrakesh.

Location

Morocco is a sovereign state in the Maghreb region in the northern part of the African continent. On the world map, Morocco is between the latitudes 27° and 36° north, and the longitudes 1° and 14° west. Including the western parts of the Sahara Desert, which Morocco has claimed as its Southern Provinces, then the coordinates change to latitudes 21° and 36° north and by longitudes 1° and 17° west. The Ras Nouadhibou peninsula is a little bit south of 21° and 17°.

To the north, Morocco is bordered by Spain. The border between these two states is the Strait of Gibraltar and three minor exclaves that are under Spanish control, Melilla, Ceuta, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera. Algeria borders Morocco to the east (a border that has been closed since 1994), while the Western Sahara is to the south. However, since Morocco claimed the Western Sahara as one of its provinces, something which has been a source of conflict, its actual southern border is with Mauritania.

Geography

Morocco is a truly unique nation. The nation’s geography stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the hilly terrain, and then to the Sahara. Other borders are the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco is among the only three nations in the world to have the coastlines on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, with Spain and France make up the other two countries.

Most of the country is mountainous. A good example of the mountainous nature is the Atlas Mountains which are mainly in the middle and southern part of Morocco. To the north, there are the Rif Mountains. Both of these ranges are occupied mostly by the Berber people. The country is 57^th in the global ranking of size at 172,414 square miles.

Politics

Morocco’s constitution has provisions that allow for the presence of a monarchy together with an autonomous jury and parliament. Following the 2011 constitutional modifications, the King of Morocco became less powerful and more honorific, while the powers of the office of the prime minister were enlarged. The king is the secular political leader and the “Commander of the Faithful”. The monarch also oversees the Council of Ministers and appoints the prime minister from the party with the most parliamentary seats. The country is divided into 12 regions subdivided into 62 provinces and 13 prefectures.

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Biggest Cities In Morocco

The Atlantic port of Casablanca is by far the largest in the country, and one of
the most important cities in all of North Africa

Located in North Africa, Morocco is a nation neighboring the Mediterranean Sea and across it Spain to its north, and the Western Sahara to its south and west. It has a long history that dates back to the Paleolithic times. At present, Morocco has a large number of cities such as Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, Tangier and many more. Of all these cities, the Atlantic port of Casablanca is the largest one in the country. It is one of the most important cities in Africa while Rabat is the capital of Morocco. Let us have a look at various aspects of the major Moroccan cities. Historical, Economic, and Cultural Significance of Major Moroccan Cities Moroccan cities have rich cultural heritages. For example, Casablanca had its origins in the 7th Century when Berbers, an indigenous ethnic tribe, made it their capital. The Portuguese invaded what is now Casablanca, then referred to as Anfa, in Morocco in the 15th Century. They renamed it as Casa Branca in 1575. Arabs, later on, rebuilt the city after a massive earthquake and named it Dar Al Beida or the white house. The present-day name is the Spanish translation of the same. At that time, it was the focal point of sea trade between Morocco, and the rest of Europe. Similarly, Fez has an interesting history, as it was a thriving center for a Jewish community in earlier historical times. It was one of the imperial cities of ancient Morocco and a popular commercial center. It is at present a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tangier, one of the three largest cities of Morocco today, also has had immense economic and cultural importance in the past. It was even a prestigious city within the Roman Empire for more than 200 years. Growth Trends and Contemporary Economic Environments Enormous increases in population are among the hallmarks of several Moroccan cities in recent times, including Casablanca, Fez, Tangier, Marrakesh, and Beni Mellal. The populations of all these cities have crossed the one million mark. Of these, Casablanca has become the most populated city with a population of more than 4.2 million! It is also the economic capital of Morocco with a host of industries such as fishing, furniture manufacturing, glass-making, electronics, cigarettes, and more. It also houses the headquarters of most of the business organizations of Morocco. Fez is also attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world. The tourism office is making multiple efforts to improve the existing tourist services, and increasing the bed capacity, which are yielding good results. Tangier is even becoming a place of immense economic importance with new investments in its aerospace industry  

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Written by: Fit for Work team

Working, whether paid or unpaid, is good for our health and wellbeing. It contributes to our
 happiness, helps us to build confidence and self-esteem, and rewards us financially. Because of these benefits, it is important to return to work as soon as possible after an illness or injury.

Why work?

Being in work:

keeps us busy, challenges us and gives us the means to develop ourselves;

gives us a sense of pride, identity and personal achievement;

enables us to socialise, build contacts and find support;

provides us with money to support ourselves and explore our interests.

Health benefits of working

People in work tend to enjoy happier and healthier lives than those who are not in work.

Our physical and mental health is generally improved through work – we recover from sickness quicker and are at less risk of long term illness and incapacity.

Because of the health benefits, sick and disabled people are encouraged to return to, or remain in, work if their health condition permits it.

Health benefits of returning to work

Being out of work has a negative impact on your health and wellbeing. People who are unemployed:

have higher rates of physical and mental health problems;

take more medication and use more medical services;

have a shorter life expectancy.

Returning to work after a period of unemployment results in significant physical and mental health improvements, reversing the negative health effects of unemployment.

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Garam masala bastilla  

     

This rich and vegetarian take on a medieval ‘greyte pye’ includes an unorthodox garam masala that is really more like a medieval spice blend. In this modern version, vegetables, dried fruit and pulses replace the traditional game or fowl, enabling these once exotic and sought-after fragrant spices to be savoured in a new way

Ingredients

Garam masala spice mix

2 tbsp cardamom seeds, toasted and ground 4 tsp coriander seeds, toasted and ground

4 tsp ground cinnamon (or 1½ cinnamon sticks, charred and ground)

1 tbsp fennel seeds, toasted and ground 1 tbsp ground nutmeg

2 tsp ground allspice

2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground 2 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp licorice powder (optional)

½ tsp fenugreek powder

Turmeric melted onions

• 50 g (1¾oz./½ stick) butter
• 60 ml (¼ cup) grapeseed or vegetable oil
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 4 medium brown onions (450g/1lb.), halved and thinly sliced
• 10 grinds black pepper (optional)

Bastilla

• 2 or 3small sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 400 g(14oz.) can white cannellini beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained well
• 70 g(2½oz./½ cup) sultanas (golden raisins)
• 2pieces preserved lemon peel, shredded or zest of ½ lemon
• 100 g(3½oz./¾ stick + 1 tbsp) butter
• 5 tspgaram masala spice mix (see above)
• 6filo pastry sheets, opened out flat, covered with a damp cloth
• ½quantity turmeric melted onions (see Note)
• 200 g(7oz.) baby spinach, rinsed and patted dry
• 3large eggs
• 100 g(3½oz.) ricotta (or farmer’s cheese or cottage cheese)
• 13cherry tomatoes, with stalks

 

Instructions

To make the garam masala spice mix, blend all spices in a mortar and pestle and transfer to a jar, until required.

To make the turmeric melted onions, heat the oil and melt the butter in a pan over medium–high heat. Stir in the turmeric and cook for 1 minute. (Adding turmeric to the sizzling oil intensifies the flavour and nutrients; the pepper adds even more goodness.) Add the onions and when they begin to let off steam, turn the heat down to medium–low and cook for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent, melted and light-yellow-brown in colour. Add the pepper and stir for a few minutes. Remove from heat, cool, then cover and chill until needed.

Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F/gas mark 5). Lightly oil a 30 x 15cm (12 x 6in.) baking dish.

Blanch the sweet potato slices in boiling salted water until al dente, about 2 minutes. Drain well and set aside. Mix the beans, sultanas (golden raisins) and lemon peel or zest together in a bowl and set aside.

Melt the butter with 2 teaspoons of the spice mix. Brush two filo (phyllo) pastry sheets with this spiced butter, fold them in half and lay them side by side in the bottom of the baking dish so that they just overlap in the centre and the edges hang over the sides of the dish.

Layer the potato slices over the bottom of the dish, then add an evenly spread layer of the Turmeric Melted Onions and sprinkle over ½ teaspoon of spice blend. Next add an even layer of the bean and sultana (golden raisin) mix then sprinkle with a further ½ teaspoon of the spice blend. Cover with the spinach.

Beat the eggs with 1 teaspoon of spice mix. Pour over the spinach and gently shake the pan to settle. Spoon dollops of ricotta on top. Fold the edges of the filo (phyllo) just inside the edges of the dish.

Brush spice butter on the remaining filo (phyllo) sheets, fold in half, then cut into a grid of eight rectangles. Scrunch the filo rectangles into kerchiefs and arrange over the top. Pierce each tomato then tuck randomly on top, scattering a big pinch of spice blend over all. Sprinkle salt flakes on top if you like.

Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, until filo (phyllo) is browned and vegetables bubbling. Serve hot or at room temperature with a nice flagon of wine or ale!

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