moroccan

We're halfway through Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Although it's a time of spiritual reflection, there's also a focus on food and Iftar, the meal that breaks the fast at sundown. This is no exception in the food-centric North African country of Morocco, where nearly 99 percent of the population practices Islam.

Moroccan cuisine is distinctive and unique, thanks in part to the historical Arab, Persian, Moorish, Mediterranean, and Berber influences. It's characterized by food heavily flavored with spices such as cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, ginger, coriander, and saffron, plus herbs such as mint and parsley. Don't know how to decipher a Moroccan menu? Continue reading to get to know a few staples of this North African cuisine.

What is it about shrimp that's so delectable? Could it be their pretty pink color? Succulent plumpness? Extreme versatility? Fast cook time? Whatever it is, they are a crowd-pleasing item that's a regular on my dinner party menus. For a recent shindig, I served these spicy, finger-licking-good, Moroccan-inspired shrimp. It's a quick and easy recipe that results in a delicious appetizer. Measure and prepare the spices hours before the meal, and cook just before serving. Ready to learn the technique? Read on.

Although I would love to be the proud owner of a tagine, a special cooking pot with origins in Morocco, at this point in my life, I don't have the funds or space for this utilitarian cooking vessel. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy a homemade tagine every now and then — I simply use my slow cooker to braise the meat for a long period of time. This lamb version is my current favorite tagine. It combines chunks of savory lamb shoulder with aromatic spices (like cumin, cinnamon, and saffron), sweet dates, and lots of broth. The resulting dish is an exotic blend of flavors and textures that's ideal for entertaining. Get the surprisingly simple recipe after the jump.

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member drienz08 from the Su Casa group:

When I saw this tutorial that Emily did over at Jones Design Company, I just had to do it! It was elegant, looked simple enough, and was perfect timing, since I was contemplating redoing the guest bathroom. To say it was a tedious project is an understatement. It took time and patience, but overall it was completely worth it! And best of all, it didn't cost me a dime!

Here are pictures of my guest bathroom before it was painted and stenciled. It was an ugly green and somehow I was convinced that I had to do a color in there. Note to self: trust my instincts; I should have known better. It made the bathroom seem dark and small.

When deciding on the actual wall color I picked the one in the middle. Not too dark and not too light. Emily provided the stencil in her tutorial so I printed it out and traced it on cardboard as she instructed. I did one full stencil and then cut the second one in half (makes it much easier for doing the top of the wall).

You will have to check out her blog for the step-by-step tutorial. Trust me; you will fall in love with her! It was all very simple but like I said, very time consuming. It probably didn't help that I got really sick in between the process, which set me back two weeks.

Here are the finished results . . .

During the work week, I try to eat a veggie-packed salad for lunch everyday. Yesterday's was so delicious, I snapped a photo and decided to share the recipe with you. It's a spinach salad with roasted red peppers, garbanzo beans, and sautéed eggplant.

The thing that makes it especially flavorful is the vinaigrette — it's a mixture of sherry vinegar, Dijon mustard, and smoky harissa. Although you may have to hunt down the harissa (or you could make your own), this salad is worth it.

Since I like to have something crunchy at all my meals, I enjoyed a handful of toasted almonds on the side. For a more substantial meal like dinner, offer the salad with chicken or fish. Ready for the recipe? Read more.

YumSugar editor Katie Sweeney recently hosted a Moroccan-theme dinner party and shared a photo of her decor with the Lovely Little Vignettes group. She writes, "Here is the tablescape from my half birthday dinner party last night. I did a Moroccan menu and had everyone sit on the floor around my coffee table." The table setting looks fabulous, doesn't it!? Not only do I love this exotic style, but it caters to those of us (like yours truly) who don't have a dedicated dining room. I have a small bistro table that seats a few guests, but my large coffee table would much more easily seat a party of eight for a cozy bash like this one.

Now I'm feeling inspired to whip up some couscous and a lamb dish for friends in my own home. So I've done some shopping and rounded up some Moroccan tabletop decor for the fete. Check it out below!

Southern vegetable staple okra is everywhere this time of year at Bay Area farmers markets, and it's perfect in everything from Summer skillet stir-fries to soothing, slow-cooked tagines like this one.

The key to this tender vegetable braise is lots of patience and a fiery, full-bodied garlic and pepper paste known as harissa. Use it to add layers of savory complexity to this slow-cooked vegetable stew. For the recipe, keep reading.

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. This week Colin discusses the rehearsal dinner.

Your wedding reception is certainly the more formal of your celebratory events taking place around the wedding itself. The evening before, welcome friends from out of town, close family members, and your bridal party with a dinner that’s out of the ordinary and fun. Pick a theme and go with it: Italian, Moroccan, Greek, or even a down-home Texas BBQ. A relaxed and casual environment creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that helps break the ice. In fact, it will make the wedding itself that much better.

For Cowie's tips on how to create a Moroccan paradise and to see his photos for inspiration, keep reading.

Since most of you eat chicken a couple times a week, I thought I'd share a really basic slow cooker recipe that produces solid results.

This spiced carrot and chicken stew takes inspiration from the slow-braised tagines of North Africa, with flavors like cinnamon, cumin, cilantro, and golden raisins.

If you aren't crazy about chicken thighs, you can use chicken breasts. Serve over couscous or rice pilaf. Want the recipe? Then keep on reading.

It's just one week until Dec. 25, and between the Christmas cookies, edible gifts, and holiday cocktail parties, my regular diet has gone by the wayside. Tonight I'm taking matters into my own hands by making a healthy steak and couscous dish. Couscous is a simple ingredient and it's important to season it well. This recipe does so with a Moroccan-inspired mixture of spices — cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon. The steak is rubbed with the same blend, resulting in a dish that is intensely flavorful. To get the straightforward recipe, read more