MOROCCAN PANCAKE LAYER CAKE

Happy pancake day United Kingdom!! How are you guys celebrating?! I thought the best way would be with a gorgeous baghrir layer cake. Because why have one pancake when you can stake them all up and make every single bite magical?

Baghrir is traditionally enjoyed in Morocco with a honey and butter syrup that is often flavoured with orange blossom water. For this reason, I chose to make a Moroccanized version of the crème patissière to layer my baghrirs with honey and orange blossom water!

The consistency of the crème patissière is perfect for this cake because it’s not too runny like a custard and not as dense a buttercream. This crème patissière is definitely a winner and it so yummy you are going to want to eat it with the spoon, so be careful and make sure you keep enough for your cake!

I also added pistachio and pomegranates seeds to add some crunchiness and bring out the flavour of the crème patissière. That said, feel free to use any other crunchy topping of your choice such as, sprinkles, chocolate chips, ground almonds, walnuts, etc.

Enjoy!

Café Lounge Marrakesh

Visit the far-away golden land of Morocco without ever having to leave Prague at Café Lounge Marrakesh, a popular restaurant and hookah lounge in the pretty neighborhood of Vinohrady. Step into Café Lounge Marrakesh and feel yourself being instantly transported to an exotic land – the interior boasts authentic decorative arts handmade in Morocco including carved wooden furniture, carpets and kelims (including the ever-interesting Wedding Blankets/carpets made with sewn-in sequins for some extra shine), a variety of intricate-looking hookahs, leather stools, and of course lit up metal lanterns that make the atmosphere oh so romantic. The authentic feel of leaving Prague and stepping straight into Marrakesh is made all the more real by the traditional Moroccan music floating through the air from a stereo system and the wonderful smells wafting from the kitchen. The menu is small but features all the classic Moroccan dishes you know and love (Couscous, meat Tajines, Moroccan sweets, etc.); food is prepared by order so be prepared to wait. The tea menu is extensive and includes, of course, the ubiquitous Moroccan mint tea. Should you wish to partake in smoking a hookah or Shisha, the establishment offers a variety of high quality flavored tobacco. Café Lounge Marrakesh offers entertainment in the form of exotic belly dancers that weave their magic movements into the minds of patrons regularly there; also small gifts and souvenirs are available to purchase should you wish to spice up your Prague home. Visit Café Lounge Marrakesh today and experience the wonderful land of Morocco and the fabled city of Marrakesh.


Budečská 1005/12 Praha 2, +420 734 373 425, +420 734 101 876, http://marrakesh.cz

Moroccan Pastries You Have To Try

Perfect with a cup of mint tea and shared amongst friends new and old, Moroccan pastries are ideal for those with a sweet tooth. Using local ingredients including orange blossom water, rose water, almonds and dates in many of the recipes, the sweet treats here are irresistible and plentiful. Served during special occasions – including weddings and Ramadan – but also during tea time, travelers are sure to sample a few varieties during their stay in Morocco.

M’hanncha

Flaky and sweet, this coiled filo pastry is stuffed with almond frangipane with a subtle hint of rose water. It may be prepared in a large coil and cut up into smaller slices, or as mini m’hanncha coiled to create individual pieces.

Date cookies

Shortbread pastry filled with dates and sweetened with orange blossom water and even cinnamon before receiving a dusting of icing sugar, date cookies are pure goodness. With dates a regional product, they are often made with only the finest ingredients.

Cornes de gazelle (gazelle horns)
Crescent-shaped like a gazelle horn as the name suggests, cornes de gazelle are one of the most popular treats you may be served and one you mustn’t miss out on. Stuffed with almonds and cinnamon and wrapped in a soft pastry, this crumbly biscuit should be moist with a subtle after taste provided by orange blossom water.

Fekkas

The Moroccan version of biscotti, these biscuits are also twice baked and include almonds and sesame seeds, and the pastry is often sweetened with vanilla. The main difference between fekkas and biscotti is that the Moroccan biscuits are often cut thinner than the Italian equivalent, making them exceptionally crunchy.

Chebakya
Popular during Ramadan when sweet chebakya graces every ftour table after a day of fasting, shops set up specifically to sell this popular treat during the holy month. But it’s available year round as it is also a popular side to a bowl of harira soup (lentil soup with a tomato base). This fried pastry – completely covered in honey and rose water with sesame seeds sprinkled on top – oozes goodness with every bite. Just be careful not to indulge on too many; one or two is often enough.

Moroccan Clothing For Women

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Traditional Moroccan clothing. We have a wide variety of Moroccan clothes, from Djellabas, Gandoras to Barbouches. All our Moroccan clothing comes direct from Morocco …

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I would like to present you the traditional dresses of Morocco for women !! We call
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Despite the stigmas, many "modern" Moroccan women will wear "western"-style
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Moroccan Women’s Clothing, information about and photos of women’s clothing and fashion in Morocco

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Moroccan clothes for women are also diverse. The Haik, a sort of … The caftan
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Moroccan clothes for women are also diverse. The Haik, a … When you leave the city, you will see increasingly rural women in the female version of the djellaba.

Experience the unique style of Moroccan clothing with intricate embroidery,
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My husband is a Moroccan and I have travelled there once with him. This is what I learned about culturally correct clothing. It’s true that Moroccan women do …

Somehow, even through all of that, they managed to ignore the nana plant I had shoved in a ziploc bag and wrapped clothes. Nana is a type of Moroccan mint similar to spearmint but it has a lighter flavor and it’s everywhere in Israel, not only …

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Essaouira’s Excellent Cooking Class at l’Atelier Madada

Alyson gave me a horrified look when I asked her how long the dada (a term often used to refer to female chefs at Moroccan hotels) had been teaching Moroccan cooking classes. “Don’t call her that! She’s a chef! I’ll explain later,” she whispered, glancing worriedly at Mona to make sure my question hadn’t been overheard.

Alyson, who is English, has been with cooking school L’Atelier Madada in Essaouira for over five years and provides translation and prep assistance to the students. More than that, she is an amazing encyclopedia of Moroccan culture and history. And Mona (pronounced “Moona”) is the undisputed queen of her domain, a chef with a pedigree: Her mother, now retired, was a chef at La Mamounia Palace Hotel in Marrakesh. Mona has been with the L’Atelier Madada since its inception in January, 2009.
Everything was explained in great detail, including why they could not give us exact cooking times. Though this is frustrating to some people, the reality is that everyone’s kitchen is different and cooking time can vary tremendously from home to home. More important is how the food should look when it’s done. We started our chicken bone-side down. After about 30 minutes, we turned it to give the top a chance to brown a bit.

Alyson taught us how to shop for a tagine and how to use it. She told us to select the plate and top separately, even if they’re displayed as sets. If you don’t have a good seal, your tagine will take forever to cook; it’s like a clay pressure cooker when the parts fit well, sealing in moisture for tender meat. Make sure there are no holes that go through, for the same reason. Never soak it in water or it will either get moldy in storage or crack the next time you use it. And if you want to use a stewing pot instead of a tagine, it’s perfectly fine – just don’t call the dish “tagine.” Alyson claims that any good Moroccan cook can tell the difference.

When she was done explaining tagine ins-and-outs, we turned our chicken bone-side down again to finish cooking because if you leave it bone-side up, it will fall apart and look bad when it’s time to serve. If you take too long, it will lose heat and take much longer to cook. “Quick, quick!” Mona yelled.

While our tagines were in their final hour of cooking, Alyson took the group to visit a spice shop. As we walked, she explained her concern regarding the word “dada.” Although many riads use it when referring to their chefs, it’s actually a relic from Morocco’s slave-trading past: the dada was a female slave who served as nanny and cook for a family, and Mona wants nothing to do with that. Once, a drunken Moroccan man stumbled into her class, reached his arms out toward Mona and loudly exclaimed “DADAAA!” She reacted angrily to the offense while the class watched, stunned. It was not an experience Alyson wanted to repeat.

Mohammed, the owner of the spice shop, is one of a dying breed, a master who knows the medicinal purpose of every herb and spice he sells. With French-speaking Mohammed as backup, Alyson explained everything you would ever want to know about spices. Cumin is an amazing, fast-acting anti-microbial for your upset digestive system. Ras el Hanout, the famous Moroccan spice mixture, literally means “head of the shop,” and more generally, the “top spices of the shop.” It wasn’t originally intended merely as a culinary enhancement and Mohammed doesn’t sell Ras el Hanout out of a jar like other spice shops. In the old days if you were ill, a master like Mohammed would ask questions and diagnose your underlying health problem. Based on that, he’d assemble a “ras el hanout” intended just for you. You might make it into tea, or add it to your food, or even rub it on your body in the hammam, the traditional Moroccan bath.

When we returned to class, our tagines were ready, our briouates perfectly baked. We had labeled our dishes with our names so that we’d be sure to eat our own, for better or worse. We sat at a table in the café and relaxed while our creations were brought to us. The tagine lids were lifted, revealing steaming, aromatic deliciousness. I took a bite, savoring the best part of my tagine – the knowledge that I know how to make it again when I get home.
This is about as professionally-run a cooking class as you’ll find anywhere in Morocco. The owner of the school, a Belgian man who goes by the name of Pacha, moved L’Atelier to its current location in January, 2017. The huge, modern kitchen can comfortably handle up to 8 people for a Moroccan cooking class at a time. Adjoining it is a café and boutique.

Like most cooking classes in Morocco, the menu is chosen by the first person to sign up. Ours was chicken tagine with caramelized carrots and tomatoes and 2 kinds of savory briouate, small samosa-like pastries: one with goat cheese and mint, the other with sautéed carrots, zucchini, and spices.

Each of us had our own station which was perfectly organized – a paper towel was even in place for wiping down our cutting boards after chopping onions. Mona showed us what she wanted done and Alyson added details as needed. As we worked, Mona came around inspecting, looking humorously exasperated at my ineptitude. My onions weren’t chopped fine enough, so she demanded “more chopping!” My briouatewas folded incorrectly. She unfolded it and had me do it again. Alyson jokingly offered to show us the whipping scars on her back. Mona’s exacting demands were tempered with a lot of laughing and warm smiles.

Journey Beyond Travel’s Morocco Gift Guide

The souks of Morocco are chalk full of the perfect gifts for your special someones. Whether you’re looking for something small for a stocking stuffer or something a bit larger to toss into Santa’s sleigh, the likelihood of you making a big holiday splash with unique, often handmade gifts is assured.

At first glance, one might mistake the misty, rolling hills outside of Asilah for the rugged highlands of Scotland. On a rainy, blustery winter’s day — where the only thing standing in your way is perhaps a massive muddy puddle or an enormous bull that looks a bit like a shaggy Shetland cattle — it’s easy to see why you might confuse the two beautiful landscapes. It’s even easier to see why you might confuse them when Karim Ben Ali, a Scottish-Moroccan, begins talking to you with his soft Scottish lilt.

Asilah is a sleepy fishing town in the North of Morocco, just one hour south of Tangier. While not completely off Morocco’s well-beaten path, it’s often missed by travellers bound inland for Fez or Chefchaouen, yet has a uniquely alluring charm. With an immaculately restored medina that’s re-painted vivid shades of blue & white each summer, Asilah has the feel of being Morocco’s own Santorini – a great spot to see the more chilled out, seaside town life in Morocco.

The town lies in the middle of a fascinating history in historical, architectural and artistic terms. It’s 3,600 year old history that includes a varied range of occupiers, involving Roman, Arab Portuguese, Spanish and French colonisation. Many famous writers and artists have spent time here; in ancient times is it reported Hercules did a tour of the area and, more recently; Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams, Edith Wharton, Jean Genet (who is buried in the nearby town of Larache), William Burroughs, Jimi Hendrix and Henri Matisse have all found the area inspiring. The Portuguese ramparts remain fully intact and a full day can be spent wandering through its old gates and the ever narrowing medina streets inside the walls.



So you’ve seen the snake charmers in Marrakesh, you’ve gotten hopelessly lost in endless souks in Fez, and you’ve rocked all the casbahs around Casablanca. Check, check, and check. But what if you’re just not a checklist traveler? What if you want more than just a Facebook photo, but an experience to last a lifetime? Here’s our 5 places in Morocco that you should visit (but probably haven’t!).

asilah moroccoIn the ancient trading town of Asilah, Raissouni Palace is a towering symbol for the area’s renaissance. Until about 30 years ago, Asilah crumbled under centuries of neglect. Fortunately, hometown hero Mohammed Benaissa inspired others to take an interest in the community’s beauty and heritage, sparking a flood of rehabilitation efforts that have created the cultural capital seen today.

Asilah’s Raissouni Palace serves as an unofficial “palace of culture,” and it is a magnet for all things artistic, creative and historical. Yearly festivals, including a prominent string of events in August, let Raissouni become the town’s centerpiece.

Located in the northwest corner of Morocco, Asilah has strong Spanish and Portuguese influences, with a refined Mediterranean feel. Beaches (including the popular Paradise Beach) and pleasant city streets would probably attract appreciative fans even without the community’s impressive cultural aims. The 15th-century Portuguese ramparts surrounding the town have been painstakingly restored, and the town’s natural harbor is far more placid than the region’s legacy of piracy might have predicted. Conservation projects from the 1980s onward have pulled together a town with historical charm and some of the most festive cultural celebrations in the Muslim world. (more…)

Insider’s Chefchaouen (Chaouen) Travel Guide

In Chefchaouen (often abbreviated as “Chaouen”), you’ll be welcomed to one of the most chill, laid back towns in all of Morocco. Long famous on the backpacker trek, this small mountain town is now really blossoming into its own as a travel destination. Chaouen is far enough off the beaten track to dissuade most tourists, which makes it quiet enough for those visitors brave enough to venture to the edge of the Rif Mountains. The narrow, Chaouen-blue pedestrian streets give ways to wide squares and breathtaking views over the lush valley below.

Chaouen is a respite of quiet after the busy medinas of Fez and Marrakech. However, it has enough of what is quintessentially Moroccan to be of interest to travelers looking for something a bit more authentic. Nature lovers will enjoy the easily accessible day hikes into the mountains. And shoppers will enjoy the hassle-free boutique shops for everything from hand-spun pottery to artisanal soaps made right in the city.

Whether you spend a couple of days wandering the clean medina streets, enjoying a hike through the Rif Mountains, or just want to relax with a book and a fresh mint tea, like most visitors to Chefchaouen, you will walk away having experienced something magical.

Map of Chefchaouen Medina
Here is a map of the Chefchaouen. We include a similar map in each itinerary packet that travelers receive before their tour takes place with us at Journey Beyond Travel.

Chefchaouen Morocco map

Notes from the History of Chefchaouen
When you come into Chefchaouen, take a good look at its placement between two tall mountains peaks. This is where Chefchaouen takes the root of its name. “Chef”, a derivation of the Arabic word “to look” and “Chaouen,” meaning “antlers” or “horns.” Between the two protective horns of the looming Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen has long been a strategic mountain town. It has a storied history that began shortly after the Portuguese conquest of Morocco in 1471 AD. A local tribal leader, known as Abu Youma, needed a protected, secret location from where he could launch attacks against the Portuguese. Abu Youma died in one of the battles and his cousin, Ali Ben Rachid, took over custodianship of the nascent city.

Right at the end of the 15th century, Ali Ben Rachid began moving his family and friends from Granada (in modern day Spain) into Chaouen. By the middle of the 16th century, an established route was established for those seeking refuge from the Spanish Inquisition. This new immigration greatly increased the size of the city. The refugees brought with them their knowledge of art and architecture, as they did in larger cities such as Fez and Marrakech. All of this had an influence on the look of the city. However, it wasn’t until the Sultan commanded the creation of the mellah (Jewish neighborhood) in 1760 AD that the special light blue, now associated with the old city of Chefchaouen, came to be used.

Chefchaouen Travel Guide: What To Do
Wander the Medina — Chefchaouen boasts one of the most enjoyable, funky medinas in all of Morocco. Though trekking up and down the hillside can make for some sore legs at the end of the day, luckily there are plenty of cafés to plop down and recharge. Unlike the medina of Marrakech or the Kasbahs of Tangier and Rabat, foreigners haven’t really been able to purchase old houses and convert them to upscale riads so many of the local populace still actually lives in the Medina. The people of Chefchaouen are, for the most part, really pleasant and foreigners can stroll through the blue walled medina without being harassed by touts and venders too much. Most of the shop keepers have a relaxed attitude and will not hassle you. Children play in the streets and, unlike Fez, they will generally not ask you for money. If anything, the children of Chefchaouen might ask you to play with them, which is not a bad way to spend an afternoon. While wandering around, take a look at some of the placards which give information on some of the long, torrid history of this great city.

Ras el-Maa — Located outside of the medina walls, to the east, “Ras el Maa” (or “Head of the Water”) is a small (slightly overrated by guidebooks) waterfall. Many locals gather here during the hot months to cool off and, oftentimes, to do laundry. There is a small café nearby

to relax with a coffee or tea, which is pleasant, particularly in the hot summer months.

Hammam — Sitting just off the main square, Place Uta el-Hammam, two hammams of interest for those looking for a real Moroccan experience in cleanliness. The public hammam, used by many of the local men and women, is located just across the square from the large mosque, Jama’a Kabir, next to the Pension Castellana. The times allowed for men and women differ and changes regularly. Historically, Chefchaouen, like many other Moroccan cities, had hammams for men and women. Today, many hammams share a space and have separate times for the two genders to bathe. You can expect to pay about 25 dirhams, but you will need to bring plastic sandals, soap, a shower scrub and a towel.

For a more luxurious experience, head to the Art du bien-être (Art of Good Living), located one street west off the Place Uta el-Hammam, behind the mosque. Though not traditional, this is a more upscale “spa” with massages, foot soaks, facials, and exfoliations. This business operates with a local women’s cooperative to create all of their all-natural products. Many of them are for sale in the entryway. Reservations are required for the hammam. However, they can often accommodate same-day requests. Expect to pay 100 dhs or so for a facial. 150 dhs for a hammam. And 250 dhs or more on a more “full spa” experience.

Chefchaouen, Morocco a Child runs through the rainy streets

Souvenir Shopping in Chefchaouen
One of our favorite place to shop is the Hat Man. This funky shop is located toward the top of the medina on the main thoroughfare, Rue Targui on your way uphill from the main square. Hand knitted hats are available in many shapes, sizes and various levels of ridiculousness. There is a sign that reads “Hat Man.” You can’t miss it.

For some incredible spices and artisanal soaps, stop by El Jabon Arte Con La Abuela (Soap Art with Grandma) on Zanka Targhi, just a few steps up from the central Place Uta el-Hammam. Soaps in delicious combinations — such as chocolate, thyme and lemon — are on offer here as well as fresh cumin, fragrant saffron, and other spices from Morocco.

Dar Salam on Rue Taylia has a wide variety of hand-carved Moroccan furniture and a wide selection of handspan and woven wool carpets from different regions of the country. Hassan, the owner, will be happy to tell you a bit about the chunky Berber jewelry, the different tribes who still weave carpets and other pieces of Moroccan history and culture. There are no hard-sells here. Just a tea if you want it and some friendly chit-chat.



Doorway in Chefchaouan Morocco

Trekking and Hiking in Chefchaouen
With its location at the foot of the Rif Mountains, surrounded by beautiful forests and gurgling rivers, Chefchaouen is ideal for those looking for to get out an enjoy a bit of the outdoors. There is a good mix of casual trails and more challenging trails, offering up an experience for all fitness types. Here are a couple of short trails to consider:

Lookout Point – If you exit the medina and walk uphill, toward the Hotel Atlas (one of the largest buildings in the city, you can’t miss it), there is an easily found trail that takes you up the hill toward a beautiful lookout point towering over Chefchaouen and the surrounding mountains. If you want, you can continue to hike deeper into the mountains, but remember to pack a water bottle and a bite to eat.

Targa – For another short hike out of the medina, visit nearby nearby Targa. Located on the hill just south of the medina, this old castle and mosque dates from the 1200s. The Spanish rebuilt the minaret. Though the entire mosque has been restored, it is not yet open for worshippers. However, visitors are welcome to climb the minaret and enjoy the views over Chefchaouen and the valley below. The surrounding patio is a great spot for a picnic.

For a longer trek through the Rif, Journey Beyond Travel has a great relationship with Gite Talassemtane who arranges trekking in Chefchaouen. You can feel free to email the founder Fatima at fatima.habte@yahoo.com or call her directly at (+212) (0) 672 743 347. These guided treks will take you to some beautiful mountainous scenery and you are guaranteed to meet some wonderful people along the way.



Chefchaouen Travel Guide: Where To Eat
Jasmine Café Teteria — Opened in the summer of 2017, this fresh café offers an ingenious blend of foods from around the world, including crowd favorites such as spring rolls, veggie pizza and ramen noodles. Don’t miss out on the chicken and cheese briouats, homemade following the original recipe of the mother of the store owner, Youssef. Iced lattes, a summertime necessity, are thankfully available to go. A new café that gets at the international spirit of Chefchaouen like no other. 151 Avenue Hassan I (Lmdakka). Open daily, 8am – 10pm.

Casa Hassan — Come for the panoramic terrace views but stick around for some of the tasty tajines in Chaouen! Tajines are thrown over an open fire, adding a certain smokiness to the saffron-rubbed chicken and lemon deliciousness. Vegetarians will be ecstatic with the veggie pastilla, a phyllo dough stuffed with finely chopped veggies and spices. Indoor seating is thankfully non-smoking. 22 Rue Targui, +212 (0)5 39 98 61 53, www.casahassan.com. Open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations recommended.

Casa Aladdin — With incredible views over the Place Uta el-Hammam, shrouded in shabby chic blue and orange decor, this is truly the house of Aladdin. Vegetarians will be thrilled to find a veggie bastilla on order, delicious layers of p

eppers, tomatoes, and others veggies wrapped carefully in crunchy philou-dough. The anchovy tajine, a northern speciality, makes for a tasty lunch or dinner. Rue Tangier, +212 (0)5 39 98 90 71, open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations recommended.

Lala Mesouda  — For homemade Moroccan cuisine, it might not get any better in Morocco than Said Bakkali’s tucked away gem along the upper slopes of the Chefchaouen medina. Besides the exquisitely prepared tajines and a Friday couscous, ordinary staples for any Moroccan restaurant, the chefs at Lala Mesouda dig deeper into traditional Moroccan cuisine served at home. They include salads such as Baqula (a cooked, spinach-like green) and Chardon (cardoon cooked in olive oil), as well as Sfarjel (quince and beef) and ox penis, slow cooked for the more adventurous diners. Avenue Hassan I, Quartier M’Daka +212 (0)5 39 89 91 33, reservations recommended.

Restaurant Populaire — Need a quick bite? Grab a mouthwatering bocadillo from this locally famous sandwich joint. The “Tangier” is almost always on offer, a mouthwatering slow cooked strip of tender beef seasoned with garlic, onion and cumin and layered in a sharp yogurt sauce. Vegetarians can find sautéed mushroom caps to stuff in their baguette sandwich. Rue Elkharrazin, next to Bab Sour, +212 (0)6 60 26 11 28, open daily, 9am-11pm or so, no reservations needed.