Maroque Newsletter
Welcome to the latest Maroque newsletter. I often sit writing my February newsletter surrounded by dark leaden skies and freezing cold, but this year I'm sat with the sun streaming through the windows and it feels positively spring-like, I could almost be in Morocco! It just makes you feel so much better; I guess a large part of Morocco's appeal is its fabulous climate.
Another new year and lots happening: I am delighted to say my little e-cook book is now available for you to down load. We have lots of pretty new things on the site, and plenty more in the pipe line. The new recipe this time is an interesting fish dish using dried lime, a key Persian ingredient, which adds a very distinctive taste.
For this year's theme I thought I would take a look at some of the key colours in a Moroccan palate, and what better one to start than terracotta.
Terracotta
From its almost pink glow in the foot hills of the Atlas Mountains to the richest brown in the depths of the Sahara, the spectrum of terracotta colours appears almost infinite. No other colour conjures up the sense of the heat, intensity and mystery that is so Moroccan.
The terracotta coloured kasbahs of the Sahara, seamlessly meld with their environment, with tiny windows to keep the heat at bay, and are unique to the Maghreb. They are constructed of clay, without lime for bonding and, due to their fragile nature, are sadly disappearing. They are a terracotta coloured feature so evocative of Morocco.
The terracotta tadelact walls in the most prestigious homes glow with a hidden depth, adding luminosity to a room which paint just can't achieve; the tranquil soothing effect, adds to the serenity these rooms portray.
Swathes of diaphanous terracotta silk, billowing in the gentlest of breezes, keep the intensity of the heat at bay and creating private little spaces to sit and sip mint tea.
Large terracotta coloured glazed bowls hand edged in silver, often filled with rose petals to scent a room, add just that finishing touch.
Terracotta appears in all aspects of Moroccan life, from a warming effect in winter to a cooling effect in the height of summer: it is one of Morocco's key colours. It also has an empathy with Moroccan accents, often showing pieces to their best.
Recipe
Fish with limes
This zingy fish dish is full of flavour and has a lovely lime finish. A key Persian ingredient, dried lime is fascinating to cook with; this dish is believed to originate from the Arabian Gulf. Dried limes also add a unique flavour to rice.
Ingredients
3 to 4cm (about 1/2 in) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped.
2 to 3 garlic cloves
2 tbsp of clarified butter
700g (1 1/2 lb) of fish steak – I use tuna, but trout, sea bass or swordfish will all work
2 onions chopped
1/2 tsp hot chilli powder
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp baharat spice blend
1 piece of cinnamon bark
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
2 dried limes, pierced twice with a skewer
Salt
1. Using a pestle and mortar, grind the ginger with the garlic to form a paste.
2. Heat the butter in a heavy based pan and sear the fish on both sides, remove from the pan and stir in the onions.
3. Just as the onions begin to colour, stir in the ginger and garlic paste, the spices and the cinnamon bark.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes and dried limes, a little water about (150ml) and simmer gently for about 15 minutes.
5. Season the sauce with salt and place the fish steaks in it. Cover the pan and simmer for a further 15 minutes, until the fish is cooked.
6. Remove the cinnamon bark and dried limes and serve with rice.
Serves 6
My Little Yellow Cook Book
I thought it would be useful to offer people the opportunity to have all my recipes and the information I have gathered on ingredients in one place as a little book: so my Little Yellow Cook Book was born! I have to confess, I'm really rather chuffed with it.
It's a free, downloadable guide in a PDF format, please click here if you would like a copy. I hope you enjoy it.
Site update
I was lucky enough to be in Morocco in January, and took the opportunity to expand my range of product by Les Sens de Marrakech, both in terms of scents as well as product: do have a look.
We have some lovely new lamps in stock and some new colours in silver edged bowls. These make stylish finishing touches as well as great gifts (better than a bunch of flowers as a thank you for dinner).
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any comments, ideas, or suggestions I would love to hear from you. Please email info@maroque.co.uk
Kind regards
Julie Woodard
Maroque