WW: The Boys of Djem al Fna

Posted by marocmama on Jan 4, 2012 in Photography | 4 comments

Paula Wolfert’s Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

Posted by marocmama on Jan 3, 2012 in Moroccan Food | 3 comments

We have been having  unseasonably warm weather, that is until this week when temperatures have dipped to single digits.  Whenever I start to feel a slight winter chill it’s time to dig out my heavy blankets and soup recipes.  It has only been in the last year that I have been able to get MarocBaba and the boys to enjoy soup. You must understand how difficult that was for me, a soup lover.  For years I went without, choosing to sacrifice my soup-love.  Mostly that was because I would never eat a full pot myself but also I didn’t want the work of cooking two different things.
 

This year has however been a successful year on the soup front.  First there was the Avgolemono and Veal  Meatball Soup (a HUGE hit), then the Chicken Couscous Soup and most recently Vegetable and Ricotta Gnocchi Soup.
When Paula Wolferts’ Food of Morocco came out I poured over all of the recipes.  Moroccans don’t eat a lot of soup save for the traditional harira. But what I did find in this book was a Spiced Butternut Squash Soup.  Creamed soups aren’t usually my thing, I like broth,  but we had gotten butternut squash in some of our last CSA boxes.  This recipe is from the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco (most likely why I hadn’t had it before) where the winters are cold as they are here in the Midwest.  You can find Paula’s original recipe in her book or on the Food and Wine website.  I made mine slightly differently.
 

I went a little overboard with turmeric (yellowness) it's good for you!

     I’m linking this recipe up to the January FaveDiets Blog Hop – Soups

What’s A Conscious Box?

Posted by marocmama on Jan 2, 2012 in Contests and Giveaways, Reviews | 26 comments

In my weekly favorites video from a few weeks ago I mentioned my recent awareness of and interest in monthly curated subscription boxes.  Well… I got my first one!!  If you’re not sure what I’m talking about the concept is pretty straight forward.  Every month you pay a set fee depending on the service and in return you receive a box with goodies based on that subscription service.  So I’ve found several that I really like and my first box came in the mail this past weekend. I was really impressed!
Conscious Box was one of the first boxes of this sort I heard about.  I was immediately attracted to this because it focuses on sustainability, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.  I also liked that it would contain a variety of products.  There are many different boxes that are based on one topic like makeup, beauty products, or food.  This box was very well rounded.  The box seemed kind of small until I opened it.  I have to say there’s something about opening a box of unknown items that just makes me giddy.  I couldn’t wait to see what was inside.  I’m happy to report it was loaded with goodies.  Before I tell you what was specifically inside here’s what Conscious Box says you will get from their website;

• a variety of unique pure and natural products
• from organic food to vegan beauty products, you’re sure to find new favorites
• discover ethical and purpose driven businesses of all sizes
• get content on daily living tips, exciting monthly themes and creative ways to use your box.
• The packaging is also eco-friendly.  Conscious Box uses recycled tissue paper, vegetable-based ink, and 100% recycled cardboard

 Here’s what the contents were this month,

•  Organic Lollipops from Yummy Earth
• Resveratrol – this is the bottled antioxidant that is the source of the health benefits in red wine.  The capsules are also vegetarian. I really like this because it is a great way to get the health benefits for those of us who don’t drink alcohol.
• Mineral Fusion – a hypoallergenic cream
• Amazing Grass – superfood boost to add into a smoothie
• Dr. Tungs – keeps your toothbrush clean!
• Yogi Tea – Teas made with over 100 herbs and botanicals from around the world
• Berryplus – Laundry soap that is 100% plant based
• Chimes – mints that are healthy and sustainable
• 22 Days – healthy snack bar
• Eat Cleaner – fruit and vegetable wipes
• Earth Friendly Products - A cinnamon air spray made with 100% essential oils – non-toxic
• Sparklehearts – Natural Beauty for Girls
• Sacred Mountain Herbs – delicious soap made with natural ingredients and wrapped in a wildflower infused paper

I was a little skeptical because of the price of this box.  The shipping cost sort of threw me off but no longer.  Really it’s a good deal. Just look at everything that came in the box!  Not everything is full sized – but I did get two full sized items this month.  It’s a really great way to try a bunch of new products that I most likely wouldn’t have picked up the full size version of.

• $12 + $7 Shipping = $19 for a month to month subscription
• $33 + $21 Shipping = $54 for a 3 month subscription
• $64 + $42 Shipping = $106 for a 6 month subscription

Now the best part — I’ve got a Conscious Box to giveaway!

All you need to do to win is complete the entries below via Rafflecopter.  If you can’t see the widget – please click this post title – it will take you to the static page of this post where the widget will appear.

FFFB: Kathy of The Colors of Indian Cooking

Posted by marocmama on Dec 30, 2011 in Favorite Female Food Bloggers | 2 comments

It’s time to start sharing my favorite female food bloggers!  I know I said that it would be a 2012 edition but I had to get started just a few days early because I was so excited.  (Hey, I never was good with the whole patience thing).  So today I would like to introduce you to Kathy of The Colors of Indian Cooking.  I found Kathy’s blog through Twitter (really did you think it would have been somewhere else?)  We’ve shared conversations and I’ve drooled over more of her recipes than I can count.  In the last two years I turned my husband into a lover of Indian food – thanks in part to Kathy’s fantastic recipes.

So without further adieu – Meet Kathy!

Tell us a little bit about your blog and what you write about

My blog is called The Colors Of Indian Cooking. I write about my 21 year experience of cooking healthy Indian food. Most of my recipes are low fat and feature seasonal foods. In the last several years I’ve been concentrating on the food of South India with a focus on vegetarian /vegan cooking and now more gluten free options because several friends of mine have been diagnosed with celiac disease.

Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging about 2 and 1/2 years ago while I was doing a podcast for A Million Cooks. The podcasts were too short to feature an entire recipe with all the directions etc, so I decided to add a blog. 2 and 1/2 years later I’m no longer doing the podcasts but the blog is going strong.

What is your earliest memory in the kitchen?

My earliest memory of the kitchen was being carried into the kitchen of a relative’s Italian restaurant. I must have been about 4 and was mightily impressed with all the food smells and delicious bites the kitchen staff gave me to eat.

Who or what influences you in the kitchen today?

I’ve been very influenced by chef and cookbook author Paula Wolfert. We became good friends when we moved to Sonoma 6 years ago. She’s been a real mentor to me. She was the one who got me started slow cooking my Indian food in clay. In fact she gave me my very first clay pot. She’s been very supportive of what I’m doing with the blog. She even put one of my recipes into her cookbook last year. One of the reasons I admire her is for her ability to take a food culture that she was not born into (Moroccan food) and embrace it and share her love of it with others. As a non-Indian learning about and cooking Indian food, she’s been a great example for me.

What is your favorite ingredient?

I could not cook with out my cilantro!

Everyone has a favorite recipe that we just can’t re-create the same way as our mom, grandma etc. Which recipe is this for you?

I’m Italian, and both of my grandmothers were excellent cooks. There’s one thing that I’ve so far been unable to re-create and that is my mother’s mothers meringue cookies. They totally intimidate me. Someday I’ll master them.

Who is your favorite “famous/celebrity” chef and why?

I admire Rick Bayless for his ability to embrace a food and culture that is not natively his own.

Which of your recipes is your favorite?

That is like asking a mom which of her children she loves best. I could never choose, as I’m always exploring.

What was your least successful recipe attempt?

Never mention cream puffs in my kitchen.

Which kitchen tool couldn’t you live without?

My Santoku knife, when one cooks with as many vegetables as I do it’s a must!

Last meal. What would yours be?

Something not yet grown on this planet

What other inspiration would you like to share?

I’d love to see more non-Indians experiment with Indian dishes and learning about the wonderful food culture of this great country. Indian food is very easy to make in the American kitchen. Nearly all the spices are available at most supermarkets, or Asian or Hispanic groceries. If I could say anything it would be, give it a try, you’ll have fun.

I hope that you will love Kathy’s blog as much as I do!  Make sure to stop and visit The Colors of Indian Cooking - also connect with her on Twitter @kathygori.  If you’ve got more questions for her leave me a comment here!

Here are two of my favorite recipes from Kathy;  Panner (Indian cheese) so easy!  Pumpkin Curry a really creative and delicious dish.

 Next week I’ll be introducing another favorite …any idea who it might be?

New American Table: A Review

Posted by marocmama on Dec 29, 2011 in Reviews | 0 comments

I am completely addicted to social media and not afraid to admit it.  I’ve made great friends and I’ve won really awesome things.  One of the awesome things won recently is New American Table by Marcus Samuelsson.  I follow him on Facebook and Twitter because this chef seriously works social media.  He has an awesome blog and is always posting really thought provoking and informative articles and information. A little while ago he was giving away a copy of his new cookbook.  The winner would be selected from those who tweeted about the giveaway.  I tweeted.  I won!  Even better – the book showed up autographed.
 

I should share that I really really adore Chef Samuelsson.  I love his style because it reminds me of my own.  He takes a little bit of all of his experiences and combines them to create a totally new dish.  He’s not beholden to the “traditional” interpretation of dishes, though I’m certain he could pull off authentic as easily as he does his fusion style dishes.  The focus of the book is on the food of America and the corners of the world that it hails from.
 

This cookbook is a food playground, it’s creative and fun and I assure you many of these combinations you will not find in any other cookbook.  The ingredients are easily accessible, the directions are clear and the images are gorgeous.  The chapters are broke up uniquely as well.  Titles include, small plates, staples, everyday, weekend, condiments and many more.
 

Here are some of my favorite recipes;

• Harissa Rub and Chile Garlic Paste
• Grilled Lobster Noodle Salad
• Crab Cakes with Pistachio and Aioli
• Shrimp Falafel
• Chicken Sate with Baby Spinach and Garlic Feta Dip

The retail price on this hardcover cookbook is $40 – it’s on Amazon right now for $26.40.  If you’re a foodie looking for a new, unique cookbook and not the same old same old recipes you need this book!

Wordless Wednesday: A Walk in the Medina

Posted by marocmama on Dec 28, 2011 in Photography | 0 comments

October 2011 - Marrakech

Cooking with Boys: Monster Brownies

Posted by marocmama on Dec 27, 2011 in Food for Change | 1 comment

Several weeks ago I wrote a post called Raising Muslim Boys: Creating a Helping Tradition at Home, for American Muslim Mom.  You can head over there to read the entire article but one of the points I touched on was encouraging boys to become self-sufficient and capable of doing any household tasks. This includes in the kitchen.  I hope that when I’m ready to send them to college they will be able to make any of their favorite foods and maybe even more.  The good news so far is that both of them see me in the kitchen often and want to help.  The fact that they are showing interest is very helpful.  In fact M even picks out cookbooks at the library to bring home!  One of his recent finds was “Easy French Cooking for Kids”.  I feel that the more involved kids can get the wider their horizon will expand when it comes to eating.  If you have an especially picky child then having them help choose and prepare new foods will increase the chances they will eat it!

One of our yearly traditions in the fall is making Monster Brownies.  This is not healthy BUT if you’re just starting to get your kids into the kitchen it’s a good way to start.  Brownies from a box mix are super easy and they can help measure (if old enough), crack eggs, and stir.  Once the brownies are done I cut them into different shapes and we prepare bowls of different toppings.
 

Then I just leave them to their own devices.  When they were a little younger I helped them with the frosting or poking things in but now they’re both old enough to handle most of the process by themselves.  Sometimes they end up making really elaborate monsters but other times it just ends up being a kaleidoscope of frosting and candies all over the brownie.

Introducing My Favorite Female Food Bloggers

Posted by marocmama on Dec 23, 2011 in Favorites | 3 comments

I have been blogging for over four years now and finally feel like I’ve gotten the hang of it.  That being said there were and are so many other bloggers, especially food bloggers I’ve looked up to and admire.  Their blogs are the ones I go to for inspiration and fool proof recipes.  They engage me and entertain me.  Their pictures and stories bring a smile to my face.  Over time we have become friends on social media and by commenting on each others blogs.  I have even had the good fortune to meet some of them.
 

As the year comes to a close and I look back on everything that has happened I realized it was high time I introduced all of you to these wonderfully talented ladies.  Over the next weeks I’ll introduce you to a special blogger with an interview.  I hope you’ll learn new and interesting things about each of them and will come to love their blogs as much as I do.  I am really looking forward to this series and I hope that you’ll enjoy reading too.
 

Make sure you leave me some comments with links to your favorite female food bloggers as well!