A Cook's Tour: Marrakech

A funny thing happened on the way to Spain - I went to Morocco instead. I'm in Marrakech. Above is a photo of a chicken tagine garnished with olives and preserved lemons. It was taken in the kitchen of La Mamounia - the fabled hotel frequented by legends like Winston Churchill - and more recently Prince who stayed in one of the villas here this week.

Comments

[maggie]

OK, maybe it's just me but I see a chicken that color, I make like Pavlov's dog. I'm busting out my tagine right now. It also reminds me of saffron and coriander, which reminds me you love Pierre Herme and his new creations. Which reminds me of this bittersweet truffle I had, filled with a cumin and coriander scented burnt creme. Have you seen boulela.com? You would love, love, love.

[Gail]

Okay, the chicken looks fab but I got sidetracked by the reference to Prince - maggie's going for her tagine and I'm headed to dust off my Prince collection. Life is good...

[Lil]

oh... that makes me crave for couscous, spicy chicken and lamb tagine... have a good trip in morocco!!

[Melissa]

Can't wait to hear about your trip. Were you working or playing or learning?

[tattum]

I can't belive you where in La Mamounia's kitchen!! But why?? How did you get there?? Morocco is great! I hope you have a lovelly time! the people are really nice and the food, mmmmm!!

[Louisa]

Maggie - LOL! It's not just you - me too. And if you would have *smelled* that chicken, you would have made like a wildly ravenous Pavlov's dog the way I did. Speaking of saffron, the sous-chef at La Mamounia took me to their vendor - I'll post details later - I've never smelled saffron so rich - it literally made me giddy. I had not seen www.boulela.com - thanks so much! You're so right! I j'adore! Everything down to their sound f/x! Is that where you tried the coriander, cumin, burnt cream, bittersweet truffle?? And so what did you make in your tajine?

Gail - LOL!! So good to hear your Prince collection is back in rotation. Are they like actually old school CDs in jewel cases and everything?? ;)

Lil - thanks so much. And remember the pastilla and harira - eaten with alternating bites of soup, dates, soup, and bread soaked with honey.

Melissa - thanks, and yes, more soon. And you know me - it's always all of the above. ;)

tattum - I couldn't believe I was even at La Mamounia, much less in their kitchens! I promise to post more soon. And thanks so much - the people are incredibly nice - and the food, delicious at every level - from tender sheep's head at Djemaa el Fna to crispy pigeon pastilla at La Mamounia. More soon!

[marc]

Hey louisa, enjoy argan oil on your couscous while you are there. BTW since when is a CD with Jewel case "old school"? I still listen to my Prince vinyl 33s and 45s, that reminds me that I saw the purple rain tour 20 years ago!!

[Louisa]

Marc - yes, the mystical argan oil - where food and beauty products converge. I'm joking about old-school CDs and jewel cases because I'm just now entering the iPod world myself. I love vinyl. ;)

[Michelangelo]

Louisa: Just found your site. How marvelous. Thanks for posting.

[Louisa]

Michelangelo - thanks so much. You've got a pretty marvelous site too - where else can I read about wd-50 and Tom Ford too?? ;)

[ARCHICH OMAR]

dear louisa,
thank you for giving me your visit card in moroccan kitchen at la mamounia hotel.please if you need something:informations or spices just contact me.
yours sincerly
OMAR

[Louisa]

Omar - thank you so much again for allowing me into your Moroccan kitchen at La Mamounia - especially during service. And thank you Chef, yes, I look forward to speaking with you again soon.