Beldi disappeared

PDIP beldi, shown here, is a much-loved the Moroccan dairy delight, made fresh, coagulating raw cows ' milk with enzymes from wild artichoke chokes (photo below). The end result is a yogurt curd-structured that can be served with a spoon or mixed drinks-like consistency. My just published tutorial on how to make PDIP Beldi demonstrates the process.

Outside of Morocco, you may have difficulty reaching not just the smothering of wild artichoke, but also raw milk. In this case, you may prefer to try making your own homemade yogurt, or Give the magpie Robin PDIP. The recipe is very similar to other yogurt recipes that you can use the normal pasteurized fresh milk with unflavored yogurt as your starter.

Photo Christine Benlafquih

Cipolle ripieno Msemen

With Ramadan just around the corner, it's not too early to start stocking the freezer with food offer on the table for iftar. The onion Msemen shown here, generously stuffed with a spicy onion and olive, can be made in advance and frozen until needed. Outside of Ramadan, I like to serve it as an appetizer or as part of a tea time spread. Heat directly from the freezer, place the frozen msemen in the oven at 350 degrees F (180° C) for 5-10 minutes, or thawing at room temperature and heated in a frying pan over medium heat.

Photo Christine Benlafquih

Moroccan fresh fruit salad

Although delicious all year, now is the ideal time for Morocco to make a fruit salad as a wide variety of fruit in season and available. Orange flower water and freshly squeezed orange juice provide classic Moroccan flavor. Select a colorful assortment of fruit for the prettiest presentation.

The Moroccan fruit salad recipe easy will give you a launching point as proportion of fruit, juice and scented water. Include sugar for syrupy, sweet fruit cocktail, but you can omit the sugar if you like.

Photo Christine Benlafquih

Tarte aux Pêches

Summer brings an incredible array of fresh fruit to Morocco, including deliciously sweet and juicy peaches. You need just three or four of them to use in this Tarte aux P?ches Recipe, a classic French dessert with pastry cream. Frangipane can be used in place of the pastry cream.

As one tart is never enough for my family, I usually prepare a second one. This French Apple Tart follows the same preparation as the peach version, so it's a logical choice for me to make at the same time. My family likes both tarts well-chilled. Leaving them overnight allows the baked filling to firm up a bit before serving.

Photo ? Christine Benlafquih

Armenian Cucumber Salad with Orange Flower Water

Summer weather is ideal for planning menus that include simple, no-fuss foods like a refreshing Armenian Cucumber Salad. Flavored with orange flower water, sugar and a little lemon juice, this grated salad is best served chilled.

In Morocco, Armenian cucumbers are called feggous. They're longer and skinnier than regular cucumbers, with textured, ridged skin. You might also try them in this Chopped Feggous and Tomato Salad, or simply slice a chilled feggous and eat it plain or with a sprinkling of salt or sugar.

Photo ? Christine Benlafquih

Bottle Gourd Tagine

Among the summer vegetables now showing up at Moroccan souks are bottle gourds, called slaoui (singular: slaouia). In traditional Moroccan cooking, the bottle gourds are peeled and the spongy interior is discarded, leaving only the outer flesh which can be simmered until tender without falling apart.

Bottle gourd have a very mild flavor, similar to zucchini, but they absorb the zesty seasoning in this easy Tagine of Slaouia recipe. Although the photo shows the finished dish in a tagine, I actually prepared it in a pressure cooker and used a heated tagine as my serving dish. How to Clean and Prepare Bottle Gourd shows the prep work involved in cleaning this vegetable.

Also try Moroccan Slaouia Salad.

Photo ? Christine Benlafquih

Trip in the North of Morocco

Last month I had the pleasure of taking a trip too short road north of Morocco. There was not enough time to explore the specialty of this beautiful region, but there were plenty of memorable experiences that I wanted to share here. Picture is divided into two albums, simply because our publication system would allow me to put them all in one place. Enjoy!

Trip in the North of Morocco (part 1)

Trip in the North of Morocco (part 2)

Photo Christine Benlafquih