moroccan

With a demanding schedule and a tight budget, it's only natural to develop the habit of eating the same staples for dinner each night. But getting yourself out of a cooking rut can be simple: It's about thinking outside the box with ingredients you already have in your pantry.

For instance, when you combine leftover lamb, canned tomatoes, dried fruit, and paprika with fresh ingredients like lime juice and cilantro, you'll have an exotic North African dinner on the table in no time. To transport your family to the markets of Marrakech, read more

After a weekend of opulence and seduction, perhaps you're craving a return to the simplicity of Winter basics. For that, turn to a stew that's soothing yet also a refreshing departure from, say, mother's pot roast.

This turkey stew, with its cumin, allspice, and dried fruits, is the ideal dinner for a casual Sunday evening. To make this straightforward slow cooker recipe, read more

Use a kaleidoscope of colors to create the look of a Moroccan dinner. Start by setting the table with an eye-catching Moroccan print tablecloth. Add ceramic plates, rustic silverware, and plain linen napkins. Serve the drinks in Moroccan tea glasses. Turn off the lights and hang Moroccan candleholders from the ceiling for a glowing, seductive ambiance. Arrange a blooming bouquet of pretty orange, yellow, and purple orchids. Write the guests' names on mosaic tiles and place on each plate for place cards.

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My Moroccan dinner would not be complete without sweet mint tea. This hot concoction is a common commodity on the streets of the North African country. Although alcohol is not traditionally consumed in Islamic culture, at my party I'll offer guests an alcoholic variation of the tea in the form of a green-tea cocktail. Water — both sparkling and still — local beers, and a couple bottles of wine will round out the drink menu.

For the recipes to both the hot and spiked teas, read more

Couscous is a staple common to North African cuisine. Instead of serving it as a savory part of my dinner menu, I decided to use it to make a sweet dessert. Most people have had rice or bread pudding, but the majority of my guests have yet to experience couscous pudding.

This variation is made with fluffy whipped cream, sautéed bananas, and fresh pineapple. This type of dessert is ideal for a dinner party because it can be made well in advance. To take a look at the recipe, read more

This week I'm planning a Moroccan-themed dinner. All of my friends will be attending a big birthday bash on Saturday night, so I thought it would be fun to get together early and have a delicious dinner. Instead of sending invitations, I've called everyone to personally invite them to dinner.

The menu is simple and flavor-packed. To get the party started, I'll serve mini Moroccan lamb burgers with lemon yogurt sauce and Moroccan carrot goat cheese sandwiches with green olive tapenade. The main course will consist of a fragrant Moroccan chicken potato salad with olives.

For these tantalizing recipes, read more

After an exhausting day, don't be ashamed to get help from the supermarket. Especially on a Friday night. By then, the last thing you feel like doing is mixing and frying a batch of 36 meatballs. However, if you purchase a pack of frozen or premade ones, you can have a delicious dinner in twenty minutes. Get the fragrant sauce going quickly by chopping the onions and garlic in a food processor. Serve with a cold beer, a glass of Zinfandel or a full bodied Chardonnay. Drooling over the picture at left? Well get the recipe and make it now! - read more

When my friend Kari last prepared her amazing kefta with egg, she paired it with this light and simple cucumber salad. The cool crispness of the salad complemented the earthy spice of the meatballs and I found myself reaching for seconds and thirds. This dish is great as a side, but during the summer I tend to crave easy, fresh dishes, so I think I'll enjoy it on its own. To see just how simple it is, check out the recipe - just read more

I don't think this is an authentic Moroccan recipe, but it certainly sounds delicious. This cocktail is made with cardamom - a slightly sweet floral spice that smells heavily of eucalyptus- infused simple syrup. Although the name may be unfamiliar, this is actually a pretty common, kosher spice that they sell at your local Safeway. Mixed with pomegranate vodka, lemon juice, and fresh pomegranate juice, this is a cocktail that will take you to an exotic place. Come away with me to Morocco, to find out how, just read more