Tagine is one of Morocco's most famous dishes. I had it at least once a day during my trip, which could have been a bit monotonous, had it not been for the fact that there are tons of different varieties.
The name 'tagine' refers to both the dish and the earthenware pot in which it's cooked. The conical shape of the lid is designed to promote the return of all condensation to the bottom. When the water is turned into vapour during cooking, it condenses on the inside of the lid and runs down to the edges of the bottom, and not dripping on the ingredients. Because of that, they bake and brown instead of being cooked in liquid.
If you don't have a tagine, you can still make this recipe in any ovenproof dish with a lid. The effect won't be exactly the same, but it will be delicious. Tagine is traditionally cooked over hot charcoal, but we can use a stovetop or an oven. We'll cook it over low heat - slow cooking allows the tomato sauce to caramelize and reach a full flavour.
Recipe: Lemon tagine with eggplant
Serves: 2
Ingredients
2 tbsp coconut oil
one onion
2 garlic clove
2 tsp freshly grated ginger
3-4 hot peppers
2 tso ras el hanout
2 tsp harrisa
one piece cinnamon
5-6 cardamom seeds
one eggplant
3-4 preserved lemons
juice of one lemon
tbsp honey
250 ml tomato passata
Method
Preheat the oven to 160C.
Slice onion and garlic, cut the eggplant into large chunks.
Heat one tbsp of coconut oil in your tagging (or, if you don’t have one, any other ovenproof dish).
Brown the eggplant chunks so that they’re golden on all sides, but not yet soft in the middle.
Set aside.
Heat another spoon of coconut oil.
Brown onion and garlic over medium heat.
Add ras el hanout, harissa and whole chilli peppers.
Fry for 1-2 minutes, stirring.
Add remaining ingredients: browned eggplant, tomato passata, preserved onions (cut into halves or quarters), lemon juice, honey, cinnamon and cardamom.
Cover and place in the oven.
Cook in the oven for 2 - 2,5 hours, gently stirring every 45 minutes.
Super quick and super easy recipe for an Asian-style lunch. Few ingredients, little work and a very satisfying meal. Tenderstem broccoli go great with soba noodles and spicy dressing with soy sauce, tamarind paste and lime juice. You have to try it!
Recipe: Broccoli and soba noodle salad
Serves: 2
Ingredients
200 g soba noodles
250 g tenderstem broccoli
a handful coriander leaves
1/2 tsp finely chopped red chilli pepper
one tsp black sesame seeds
Method
Cook the noodles according to the package's instructions.
Blanch the broccoli in a boiling water for 3 minutes. Submerge in a bowl of ice water for one minute.
Place noodles and broccoli in a targe bowl.
Combine with coriander leaves, chopped chilli and soy-tamarind dressing.
Divide between two plates and top with black sesame before serving.
Recipe: Soy-tamarind dressing
Ingredients
4 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp tamarind paste
one tsp grated ginger
juice of 1/2 lime
one red chilli pepper, sliced
Method
Whisk all the ingredients together.
Set aside for at least 15 minutes, to let the flavours combine.
I enjoy hearty dishes in the first cold days of winter, but comes January, I start craving something lighter. This is my perfect January soup: bit spicy, warming and fully comforting, but light and green at the same time.
When you look at the recipe, it might seem like a lot of work, but it's not. The recipe is super easy and putting everything together will take a maxiumum of half an hour and that includes making the curry paste and crispy broccoli topping. And you can always use a good store-bought green curry paste and limit the toppings to fresh coriander and sesame seeds.
Recipe: Green curry broccoli soup
Ingredients
3 tbsp green curry paste
one large broccoli, divided into small florets
800 ml vegetable stock
400 ml coconut milk
2 limes
a handful fresh coriander
Method
Heat a heavy-based saucepan over medium heat.
Add the curry paste and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes.
Add broccoli florets and cook, stirring, for another 1-2 minutes.
Slowly add the stock and coconut milk, combine, cover and bring to boil.
Simmer over medium heat until the vegetables are tender - 5-10 minutes .
Before serving, blend or process until smooth.
Season with lime juice.
Top each serving with fresh cilantro and crispy broccoli florets.
Recipe: Crispy broccoli florets
Ingredients
a handful broccoli florets
one tbsp coconut oil
one tbsp soy sauce
one tsp honey
2 tbsp sesame seeds
Method
Heat coconut oil in a small pan, add broccoli and fry for one minute.
Add soy sauce combined with honey and continue cooking, stirring, for 1-2 minutes.
Add sesame seeds and combine.
Recipe: Green curry paste
Ingredients
5 medium green chilies, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 shallots, roughly chopped
2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
a bunch fresh cilantro
2 lemongrass stalks, chopped
2 limes, juice and zest
one tbsp coriander seeds
one tsp ground cumin
one tsp black peppercorns
2 tsp soy sauce
Method
Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and blitz to a paste.
Traditionally served with crispy duck, this pancakes make a great vegan dish as well. Thick hoisin sauce and fresh cucumber and spring onions go great with fried tofu. Perfect snack for a small gathering.
Recipe: Chinese tofu pancakes
Ingredients
200 g firm tofu
2 tsp sesame oil
1/2 cucumber, cut into matchsticks
1/2 bunch green onions, cut into matchsticks
a few branches fresh coriander
1/4 red chilli pepper, chopped
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
10 thin pancakes
Method
Slice tofu and combine with 3 tbsp of hoisin sauce.
Fry tofu slices on heated sesame oil, about one minute each side.
Steam the pancakes and keep them warm in a bamboo steamer or covered with foil.
Arrange fried tofu, cucumber and spring onion stick, coriander leaves, chilli and hoisin sauce on the table and allow everyone to help themselves.
Spread some sauce on each pancake and top with tofu, cucumber and spring onions. Sprinkle with coriander and chilli and roll up.
Recipe: Homemade hoisin sauce
Ingredients
7-8 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp peanut butter
2 tbsp honey
2 tsp rice vinegar
3 tsp sesame oil
one tsp finely chopped chilli
one garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp black pepper
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a small pot.
Simmer over low heat, stirring, until well combined.
Perfect tacos: crispy, aromatic, colourful and vegan. Great for small or larger gatherings. All you have to do is prepare the toppings and ask your guests to compose their ideal snacks. I chose roasted sweet potatoes, black beans and corn, creamy cashew paste, pomegranate seeds, fresh chillies, aromatic coriander and lime juice. You can add your favourite fruit, vegetables and herbs.
Recipe: Vegan tacos
Serves: 4
Ingredients
8 soft corn tortillas
a bunch coriander
one corn on a cob
one cup cooked black beans
rosted sweet potatoes (recipe below)
cashew paste (recipe below)
2 green chilli peppers
1 small pomegranate
1 lime
Method
Roast the corn at 180C for about 30 minutes, until tender.
Kut off the kernels and combine with cooked beans.
Deseed the pomegranate, slice the chillies and cut the lime into quarters.
Heat the tortillas in the oven or on a pan and cover to keep them warm.
Serve all the ingredients together and let everyone compose their own tacos: roasted sweet potatoes with pomegranate and fresh coriander or corn and beans with cashew paste and fresh chillies. Or everything altogether :)
Recipe: Roasted sweet potatoes
Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes
1 red onion
one tbsp olive oil
one tsp smoked paprika powder
one tsp sweet paprika powder
a pinch of salt
Method
Peel and dice the potatoes.
Cut the onion into eitghts.
Mix diced potatoes with onion, olive and spices.
Transfer into a baking dish and roast at 180C for about 30 minutes.
Recipe: Cashew paste
Ingredients
100 g cashews, soaked overnight
2 tbsp plant-based milk (I used coconut milk)
1 lime (peel and juice)
a pinch of salt
Method
Blend soaked chashews with milk, to make a smooth paste.
Add lime juice and peel, combine. Season with salt
