We have not been to many cooking classes, but this one seemed like it would be a 5 star. Every station had their own supplies, screens to see the demonstration and the chefs included everyone in the process.
Fatiha began by mixing ingredients to make bread, and everyone got to knead the dough before it went to the kitchen to rise.
Then we started chopping our ingredients to make Lemon Chicken and Olive Tagine. Red onions, garlic, parsley, preserved lemon and cilantro. Those items with olive oil were placed into the bottom of the tagine and simmered. The two pieces of chicken were added with water and the cone shaped lid was placed over the top. This can be cooked on a stovetop or with charcoal. The charcoal method is slower and makes the dish more flavorful. We also made a side dish (eggplant)and a salad (tomato and peppers).
Cultural Traditions
Sugar and milk can be a gift that they give when meeting a new family that you might be dating the girl, or a gift of celebrating a new car. This was mainly used in the past, now flowers are used.
Banking
Mainstream Morocco uses cash. The government has done several things to try to push people to have bank accounts. They have given subsidies to the poor only through banks and allow only those with bank accounts to enroll in healthcare. Many refuse because Islam prohibits usury, excessive or predetermined interest on loans or financial transactions, so this is their reason to not use a bank. There are many that do not see all interest charged by banks in this way because it is an institution with rules and getting ahead with your money in a bank can be positive.
Argan
The Argan trees drop their fruit in June and July and they simply pick them up off the ground. The trees can live a thousand years, and go five years without precipitation. Their roots are around 60 feet deep.
This is a cooperative of women that produce these products. They are the official place to get 100% Moroccan Argan oil.
Call to Prayer
While we were in this little town they had the call to prayer. Most places it is a person calling through a speaker system. Here they just stood in top of the building and chanted.
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