Moroccan cuisine | Marrakech Riad

This is how you cook Maakouda

Maakouda, maqouda or maakouda is not a traditional moroccan recipe and can be found in other north-african countries, but is a fantastic starter and is cooked in Morocco especially during Ramadan. This is what you need: 500 grams of potatoes A knob of smen (or ghee, or any other clarified butter) A small handful of […]

Gordon Gino and Fred, Christmas Road Trip

Three wise men followed the Star for an ITV festive special in Marrakech as Riad Star was honoured to host Gordon Ramsey, Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix in, ‘Gordon, Gino & Fred: Christmas Road Trip: Three Unwise Men’. The traditional riad property is the final destination on a 6,000 culinary journey across Morocco in […]

Argan Oil

Argan oil is referred to as the “liquid gold” of Morocco because it is so rare. The delicate trees it comes from only grow in a very specific microclimate of Morocco: the Sous Valley south and east of Essaouira. The rich cosmetic oil has recently attracted great attention in the beauty industry because it is […]

The Fruit Bowl

It is customary to offer fresh fruit at the end of a good meal in Marrakech. In our Riads we are proud to offer locally sourced seasonal fruit. The bowl pictured here is an Autumn Selection. When it comes to our fruit bowls, we don’t reject misshapen fruits, as we believe it is the flavour […]

RAS AL HANOUT

The name of this spice mix literally translates to “top of the shop” as it is made up of the best spices that each spice shop carries. One of our favorite ras al hanout shops in the medina features cloves, cardamom pods and seeds, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, star anise, ash and cubeb berries, mace, and […]

COOKBOOK

Our new Marrakech Riad Cookbook brings our signature welcoming Moroccan hospitality and delicious, wholesome cuisine to the kitchens of home cooks everywhere. Representing a selection of favourite, home-cooked dishes regularly enjoyed by guests at our riads and taught in the Marrakech Riad cookery school, this book invites readers to relish recipes passed down through generations […]

Tangia

Tagine is the dish that most often comes in mind when traveling to Morocco, but all locals in Marrakech recommend foreigners try a Tangia. Tangia a dish that is specific to Marrakech. You can’t find it outside of the city. The Tangia itself is a clay pot that is loaded up with ingredients, taken to […]

Tagine

The tagine is by far the most popular cooking item in Morocco. No matter where you are in the country, you will find one in the kitchen. The word “tagine” specifically refers to a clay pot with a cone-shaped lid that slowly cooks meats and vegetables until they are moist and oh so tender. After […]

Tagine du Poisson aux Legumes | A Moroccan Recipe.

For Moroccans, food is a big deal! A full belly is the key to a full and happy mind, and within the framework of this culture; a person takes immense pride in cooking delicious, fresh meals. When in Morocco, you will find that the most accessible groceries in the local markets are the required ingredients […]

Moroccan Pastry Chef attempts world record bake.

Moroccan pastry chef, Said Lâouaouda, could enter the Guinness World Records thanks to the gigantic 140-kilogram pie. The young Chef from Morocco has created a vast Panettone; a traditional Italian cake made with candied fruits and pearl sugar. The mammoth task took four days of work by four people. The recipe required 69 kilograms of […]

A recipe from Marrakech Riad cookery school – Olive Tapanade

Our cookery school ethos at Marrakech Riad is really simple, Keep it fresh and keep it healthy! For our tapenade recipe the first step is to visit the local market to buy today’s best ingredients. Then we can begin to cook a delicious meal! 1 cup/200 grams black cured olives 2 tablespoons capers (rinsed and […]

Embrace the wonders of exploring Marrakech

There are those of us who love to explore the world, who seek places where our senses can be filled with wonder. Places where we can delight in the richness and differences of cultures and cities. Those of us who yearn to widen our life experiences of the world. If you are this person we […]

A recipe from Marrakech Riad cookery school – Zaalouk

Our cookery school ethos at Marrakech Riad is really simple, Keep it fresh and keep it healthy! For our zaalouk recipe the first step is to visit the local market to buy today’s best ingredients. Then we can begin to cook a delicious meal! Zaalouk is a wonderful tasty treat, it is versatile and stays […]

Traditional Moroccan Cookies

Ghoriba Bahla cookies are traditional or beldi biscuits, usually enjoyed with mint tea. At a glance, the recipe and the process of making these delicious treats is seemingly very simple. I can assure you that it takes practice to perfect the flavour, consistency and technique! In this article, our friend is making a batch of […]

Street food Marrakech – White Harira

It’s 3am, and from the silent street we can hear the piercing sound of the harira man’s wake up alarm. He is used to such early starts. In fact, apart from on Friday’s, everyday begins this way. It is still dark, the sun wont rise for another hour yet – so the usually busy and […]

Harira, a Moroccan staple.

The Lcrésé family are famous amongst the locals in Marrakech, for their positive presence in the community. In recent years, they established a successful restaurant, Atay; which is a popular hub amongst residents & tourists. They serve both traditional and continental dishes which are all prepared by their Moroccan chef, using fresh and locally sourced […]

Iftar – a special meal for Ramadan

Iftar or Ftour is the shared meal eaten at sunset during Ramadan to break the fasting of the day. Muslims break their fast at the time of the call to prayer for the evening prayer. Iftar is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is taken around sunset. Feeding others […]

Cactus Fruits of Morocco

The cactus plants seen at the roadsides of Morocco bear a wonderful fruit; the prickly pear. The plants are often a natural boundary between properties, and in the late summer they become laden with fruit. Take care when opening the fruit, as the spines are fine and spiky! You will notice that the street vendors […]

The tastiest Bananas from Morocco

Bananas were introduced to Morocco as a crop in the early 1940’s, production was confined to small plantings in special micro climates along the Atlantic coast, north of Agadir, The best sites for banana cultivation are low areas along the Atlantic coast that are essentially frost-free. Sites are protected from strong winds; also, windbreaks, typically living fences of […]

Flavours of Marrakech

Marrakech is a sensory delight, the city is well known for seducing it’s visitors with vivid colours, an exotic soundscape with calls to prayer, street musicians and the sounds of life within the medina and of course the tastes of exotic spices and local delicacies. One cannot fail to notice the daily rituals around food and […]

Moroccan Saffron

Saffron is a prized cookery and natural medicine ingredient. Saffron is cultivated in the Siroua Mountains of Southern Morocco. The region is prosperous and famous due to this valuable crop. With a value greater than that of gold per gram this little flower really does hold hidden treasure. Saffron is the stamens of a crocus. […]

Secrets of a Tagine – Preserved lemons

A Moroccan tagine is a centrepiece of a Marrakech dining table. With layers of flavour which are a delight. Achieving some of these special culinary taste sensations is a combination of a masterly and accomplished chef and some time honoured recipes using wonderful ingredients. Ingredients which may be unfamiliar to some of us. A key […]

Spice tea

The spice tea store, one of the master piece that decorate the square activities in the west side, these stores present one of the traditional kind of tea that is known but it’s chilly and it’s hot. They being busy much during the cold weather, because of the specific treatment that the element of that […]

Mint Tea Recipe

Mint tea is the staple of Moroccan hospitality. Here is our recipe for mint tea as the locals drink it. Essentials: * 1 teapot * 2 tsp Loose Black Tea Leaves * 2 bunch Fresh Mint Leaves * Boiling Water *Sugar Method 1. Put the tea leaves in the bottom of the tea-pot 2. Break mint […]