Basic Kefta Kebabs

With the beginning of our school year still weeks away, there's still plenty of time in Morocco for summer grilling. Although almost anything goes on Moroccan grills, a year-round favorite for many families is this basic Moroccan Kefta Kebab. Loaded with flavor from fresh herbs and spices, the kefta can be pressed or threaded onto skewers, or simply shaped into patties or cylinders. Serve the grilled meat plain or stuffed in bread as a sandwich filler with Moroccan Roasted Pepper and Tomato Salad. Delicious!

Photo ? Christine Benlafquih

Cheesy Kefta Pastries

My earliest Moroccan iftars were in the States, where groups of Moroccan women would occasionally gather and break their fast over large spreads of food that included very traditional fare such as harira, briouats and msemen, along with a selection of less traditional finger foods and appetizers.

That's when I first sampled pastries filled with a moist, cheesy kefta filling made with Laughing Cow Cheese. Although I don't particularly care for La vache qui rit as a spread for bread, I do like the creamy, cheesy flavor it imparts to white sauces, like the one used to bind the the ground beef in this Kefta and Cheese Pastry Recipe. The pastries are best made with a homemade tender pastry, but store bought puff pastry dough can be used as time saver. Make them ahead of time and have them on hand in your freezer.

Photo ? Christine Benlafquih

Cheesy sweet Kefta

My first Moroccan iftars were in the States, where Moroccan women's groups would occasionally gather and break the larger fast food spreads that included very traditional dishes such as Kefta, briouats and msemen, along with a selection of less traditional finger foods and appetizers.

That's when Leagues before pastry filled with a stuffing of kefta, cheese made with cow's milk cheese, laughing. Although I don't care particularly for vache rit as a spread for bread, I like the creamy flavor, cheese gives white sauces, such as that used for the ground wire in this Kefta and cheese pastry recipe. The cakes are best made with a homemade pasta is tender, but store bought puff pastry can be used as a time saver. Make them ahead of time and have them on hand in the freezer.

Photo Christine Benlafquih