
Winter comes slow and late to Marrakech. One day we’re sweating, wondering when the heat will finally break and then suddenly there’s a rain storm one day that snaps the weather awake to realize it’s time to change seasons. Reluctantly the weather wavers for a few weeks. Alternating between those scorching hot days and dreary, rainy ones. A sandstorm might blow through and then we’re lurched into winter.
But this too is beautiful.
The haze in front of the High Atlas lifts, giving way to the beautiful mountain backdrop that makes my heart sing. It’s a sight I wait for all year. Rarely do the mountains appear until they’re capped with snow, leaving many people to believe they have snow all the time (they don’t). The clear, sunny winter days are what I love waking up to. I just really hate leaving my bed!
Few people, including us, have indoor heating. We really don’t need it. Winter will only last two or maybe three months and it will never get to freezing – even though some days feel like it. An extra blanket on the bed, a space heater tucked under the desk, and taking advantage of every chance to warm up the house when the sun shines make it possible. You see Morocco is a cold country with a warm sun. The sun changes everything and even in the middle of winter is warm.
Our morning start a little later now but it’s still just barely light when the kids get up for school. I love a warm bowl of oatmeal in the morning with nuts and brown sugar. But, I also love the Moroccan version of oatmeal – that’s not made with oats at all – called hrbil. Normally it’s only made for special occasions. It’s always on the table the morning of Eid al Adha and Eid al Fitr. But, I’ve also made it and saved it in the refrigerator to heat up the next day. It’s always better right after it’s made.
A delicious breakfast dish served during Eid and other special occasions in Morocco.
Moroccan Oatmeal: Hrbil
Ingredients
For the Top
Instructions
Unused says
But what is Oat in darija accent?
Amanda Mouttaki says
Shofan is the word for oat in Moroccan.