Moroccan Home Cooking, At The New Al Fassia.

For some good home cooking Moroccan style you should try the relatively inexpensive Al Fassia restaurant here in Marrakech. Having established its self as one of the most popular traditional Moroccan restaurants with both locals and tourists, Al Fassia has decided to expand and has created a second purpose built restaurant on the outskirts of town to service its already over subscribed clientele.

Al Fassia is always a popular choice for those in the know about where to eat in Marrakech, and having enjoyed the old restaurant in Guiliez many times we decided to try the newly opened branch for ourselves. The decor was kept simple with large relaxing banquettes to sit on and low traditional tables the restaurant itself is built over two floors and has a pleasant view of the old city walls on the second floor.

 

I personally love the  salad starter. For anyone who isn’t accustomed to Moroccan cuisine this is a fantastic chance to try out the many variations on salads that Moroccan cuisine has to offer. The tajines are always exemplary. Some more complicated dishes do need to be ordered in advance, which is a shame if  like me you don’t think to plan ahead. 

       

But I do advise you to book in advance as the new restaurant was as full as the old one ever was yesterday evening.

You will find the Al Fassia at

Al Fassia, Route de l’Ourika   

Al Fassia, Blvd. Zerktouni Residence Tayeb (+212 24 434 060)

Moroccan Gold, Argan Oil.

Argan oil, is now a must have product in any kitchen. Native only to Morocco and Algeria this oil with its strong nutty flavour is one of the treasures of the Moroccan souks.

The ancient gnarled Argan tree ( much adored by Moroccan goats for climbing practice) produces its nutty off spring once a year around July, when the nut is nice and browned by the sun, the bitter tasting nuts are roasted. Then the seeds in the centre of the nut are ground together by hand to produce the oil. The oil producers are often small co operatives run by women. The production of this oil is another product helping to keep small villages and their rural traditions alive along the coastal areas of Morocco.

This product is rich in healthy fatty acids and is not only used for cooking but in cosmetic products such as soaps and lotions. Traditional Moroccan herbalists have been using argan oil for skin ailments for centuries.

The Argan forests are now Unesco protected so lets hope the goats get the message and stay out the trees.

 A good place to buy Argan oil here in Marrakech is at  Marrakech Bio Diététique, in the Mellah area of the Medina.

Absolutly Murano, Marrakech

Last night the Marrakech glitterati turned out for the Absolut Vodka launch party for the new pear flavoured vodka, at the super trendy Murano resort in the Palmaraie. Security was tight so I didn’t want to take my camera, but hey I was there to party.

During the day it had been around 37 degrees. Last night the party planners had decided to turn the Murano into a winter wonderland with snowy white grass, and huge Ice sculptures and a bar made from ice serving shots of vodka in glasses made from solid ice, snow machines tumbled snow over the now famous red Murano pool. The DJ played on the roof of the hotel and lasers light the night sky while everyone partied hard by  pool until the early hours.

 

 

Designer Tea, Marrakech

I love tea, its natural, its healthy and there are so many to chose from that you can never get bored, so imagine my delight when a very good friend of mine took me to the Tchaba tea salon here in Marrakech. Not only does it have designer teas, you can relax in designer surroundings.

Like the British, Moroccans love tea but usually the mint kind. (which can be so full of sugar that your spoon will stand up straight.) There is an art to pouring tea here in Morocco. First the person usually stands at least a foot above the tiny tea glass, then they begin to pour with amazing pin point accuracy into the glass,( this is a cooling process) then they return the tea into the pot and begin again, (this can be done several times) until the tea is deemed cool enough to drink.

 

Not at tchaba, here you are presented with beautiful delicate glass cups and saucers, your tea is in a beautiful glass teapot which is placed onto a stand which has a nightlight burning to keep the pot warm, you are given a sand timer for perfect brewing.

Each sachet is made from silk and only the The world’s finest whole tealeaves, herbs, fruits and spices are contained within.

Tchaba have over 50 different blends to chose from. Tcaba manafacture their beautiful aromatic teas here in Morocco ready for export all over the world.

They  have outlets here in Morocco and in Dubai where they sell everything you need to reproduce this tea experience back at home. Look at these these fantastic gift sets for all your tea connoisseur friends.

You will find Tchaba at Résidance Atlas, Avenue Mohammed 6th, Marrakech