Maroque Newsletter
Welcome to the latest Maroque newsletter, sorry it has been so long since the last one, I don't know where the time has flown! Summer is here, actually it's raining buckets and quite chilly outside, but I'm ever hopeful.
Outside living, balmy sun drenched afternoons and a little taste of Morocco: I have a few ideas that might help you create your Moroccan patio.
Meet the artisans section this time takes us deep into the souks of Marrakech to meet the iron workers. Following traditions and techniques that date back several hundred years they create an array of fascinating things.
And to help you along with your Moroccan summer, I have a few recipes that are ideal for alfresco eating.
Meet the artisans
Well away from the tourist trails, and tucked against the back walls of the medina, are the artisans working with iron: creating screens, trellises, lanterns, wall lights and all manner of items in iron. They work in tiny, open fronted areas with a lump of wood as a work bench. Furnaces that belong in ancient times are actively used to create the lamps that transform our gardens.
It's hot, dusty and unlike anything I have seen before. Families work together, fathers training sons to create different items, some specialise in lamps others window grills. Each item is made by hand, and no two items are identical. We have some photographs in our artisans section online, that will hopefully give you a glimpse into this ancient craft.
Summer living: a Moroccan themed patio
Balmy sun drenched afternoons are a way of life in Morocco.
Moroccans have small, secret, hidden gardens (riyads) away from prying eyes, with only the sound of water and the smell of herbs to disturb the peace and tranquillity.
Unfortunately I can't whisk you off to paradise, but I can try and help you recreate a small corner of Morocco in your garden, with the possible addition of an outside heater!
A courtyard garden, or riyad, is central to a Moroccan way of life. A riyad is designed to be a reflection of paradise on earth and the heart of a Moroccan home. These treasures, hidden behind high, neglected, austere walls, often contain a fountain or basin in the centre, which can be highly decorated with multicoloured zillij tiles creating a jewelled effect.
They are colourful spaces for your spirit to relax among the vibrant colours, and the perfect settings to sip your mint tea and while away a few hours.
Creating your own magical Moroccan riyad can be done in a few simple steps.
The structure
You can create your own secret space by using an iron screen or some trellising, ideally with some trailing plants to grow up among the lattice work.
Cushions and throws draped over chairs or loungers, or large floor cushions in vibrant colours, to enable you to lounge in decadent tranquillity, are a must!
The plants
Scents, as well as colours, are key in creating your little paradise.
Moroccans are passionate about plants: their gardens will often be planted with orange and lemon trees, pomegranates and figs, and various scented plants such as mint, geranium, basil and jasmine.
Orange and lemon trees in large terracotta pots are ideal to create your setting and a mass of scented herbs will fill the air with a sense of paradise. All these can easily be found at your local garden centre.
The finishing touches
Chose a Moroccan wrought iron lantern to sit in the corner of your garden, and be amazed at the myriad of intricate light patterns that are cast across the ground and surrounding walls when the lanterns is lit with a candle: guaranteed to create a wow factor.
Carry the Moroccan theme on to your table with some pretty multicoloured glass or brass table lanterns. These little additions will add a real sparkle to the table.
Serve your mint tea in some brightly coloured tea glasses for that authentic effect, and serve your mixed salad on a brightly coloured large platter.
Recipes
A couple of veggie dishes to tantalise your taste buds. Both of these dishes disappear in a flash when I serve them at home.
Grilled aubergines in honey and harissa
This sweet, sticky, spicy dish has a fantastically decedent quality to it, one of the best ways to have aubergine, and if you can get hold of the baby ones even better.
Ingredients
2 aubergines, peeled and thickly sliced
Olive oil for frying
2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
5cm (2in) piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and grated
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp harissa
3 tbsp clear honey
Juice of 1 lemon
Sea salt
1. Preheat the grill or griddle. Dip each aubergine slice in olive oil and cook in a pan either under the grill or in a griddle pan. Turn the slices so they are lightly browned on both sides.
2. In a wide frying pan, fry the garlic in a little olive oil for a few seconds, then stir in the ginger, cumin, harissa, honey and lemon juice. Add enough water to cover the base of the pan and to thin the mixture, then lay the aubergine slices in the pan.
3. Cook the aubergines gently for about 10 minutes, or until they have absorbed all the sauce.
4. Add a little extra water if necessary, season to taste with salt.
5. Serve at room temperature with chunks of fresh bread to mop up the juices.
Serves 4
Warm chickpea salad with ginger
This tangy chickpea dish is a great accompaniment to grilled fish
Ingredients
5 tbsp virgin olive oil
1 large red onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves crushed
4cm (1 1/2in) piece of fresh root ginger, grated
2 x 400g (13oz) cans of chickpeas, drained
Pinch of dried chilli flakes
Juice of 1 1/2 lemons
Leaves from a bunch of coriander, chopped
Salt and pepper
Mixed ground cumin and paprika, to serve
1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a frying pan, add the onion, ginger and garlic and cook gently for 5–7 minutes until soft and transparent.
2. Add the chickpeas and chilli flakes and stir for about 30 seconds, then add the lemon juice and let the mixture bubble until almost dry. Add the coriander and season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Turn the chickpea mixture into a warm serving bowl and pour over the remaining olive oil. Sprinkle a little ground cumin and paprika over the top.
Serves 4
Site update
We have added a hammam section to our web site, where you can find out about the hammam ritual.
I have done a little research into rhassoul the clay from the atlas mountains, I have written up my experience of going to a hammam, and added a few ideas on how to create this Moroccan pampering experience at home.
As mentioned earlier, our meet the artisans section now has a section on the metal workers, hopefully my photos will give you a small insight into this ancient craft.
We have some lovely new Moroccan 'silk' and cotton rugs, in soft and muted shades, an interesting addition to a modern themed room. We have also increased our collection of other rugs.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any comments, ideas, suggestions I would love to hear from you. Please email info@maroque.co.uk
Kind regards
Julie Woodard
Maroque