Hungry Planet

The famous Paula Wolfert, the madame of Moroccan cuisine, stated in her book "The Food of Morocco" that the seductions of Moroccan cuisine "did not creep up on me slowly, but hit me square in the face almost at once. The sharp scent of cumin in the air. Passing by a community oven and catching the scent of anise and freshly baked bread. The street smells of grilling skewered meats. Whiffs of pungently spiced fried fresh sardines. The unique aroma of chickpea flour being slowly baked with olive oil and eggs to make a glistening flan in a wood fired oven." It is almost a religious experience for Paula and Caroline Hofberg, the author of "Morocco on a Plate" seems to have had a similar experience during her time in Morocco "you can practically taste the mysticism of Arabian culture through the food of Morocco" states Caroline as she describes being swept away by the piquant smells of an exotic world. She goes on to contrast the spices of Morocco which are arranged "beautifully like art" with those in her home country of Sweden  where the spices are "packed tightly into sterile, fragrance blocking glass or plastic containers". Something all western cooks can relate to and lament.

I have explored a little of Moroccan cooking through books such as those from Paula Wolfert, among others, and I wasn't sure what else "Morocco on a Plate" could bring to the table, pardon the pun. Once I started cooking from the book it dawned on me there was quite a but I had been missing from the Moroccan dishes I had chosen to cook in the past. Caroline has a real focus on the nuts and dried fruits used in Moroccan cooking. The combination of sweet fruit with savoury dishes seems odd at first but that is only until eaten. Turns out the combination works harmoniously, with the nuts offsetting the sweetness of the fruit and in turn lifting the meats to another dimension.

I paired Caroline's Chicken Stew with fruits and almonds with couscous with roasted vegetables. Both dishes heavy with fruits and nuts I was worried it would be a cacophony of flavours. It turned out to be two fabulous dishes that when presented on large platters and in deep bowls with a side of the minted yoghurt dip suggested for the couscous was the perfect dinner party meal. Hearty, homely and colourful it was a meal that truly represented Morocco on a plate.

I think the stews are the strong point of the book. These one-pot dishes are easily re-created at home and if done so in a tagine or claypot evokes the rustic nature of Moroccan cooking. The skewered meats whilst can be cooked in the oven or on a gas barbeque will pay you back ten fold if you cook them over some charcoal as would be done in Morocco. The smokiness transforms meats adding a depth of flavour that cannot be achieved any other way. This isn't a technique suggest by Caroline in the book and rarely ever is in cookbooks for fear of putting off the home cook who wants easy and familiar cooking methods but trust me, if you have not cooked over coals it is time to start. I have a little hibatchi that is relatively unintimidating and perfect for a small batch of skewered meats.

As a cookbook collector this book is an appreciated perspective on a broad cuisine. It isn't the only Moroccan cookbook you will ever need but it is an enjoyable read and more importantly, an easy cook and a good eat.

A review copy of this book was supplied by Skyhorse publishing. It is now a treasured part of my cookbook collection and I would highly recommend it for yours as well. Grab your copy here.

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Originally posted on Tuesday, 31 October 2017 by Tenele

"In 1912, the National Biscuit Company in New York released the Oreo, aka everyone's secret pleasure and the best-selling packaged cookie of all time. Production no longer takes place at the original facility (the building is now Chelsea Market, one of New York's best food halls), but the Oreo's connection to the city lives on in many sweet odes found across town."
Yasmin Newman, Desserts of New York.

I always like bang for my buck when cooking, particularly baking. I don't want to slave away for hours and in the end get average results. These Luxe Oreo cookies from the Desserts of New York hit that particular sweet spot of effort vs pay out. They are relatively easy without being too basic and the results are both aesthetically pleasing which is so important with baked goods and they are moreish beyond belief. Bling them up in any way you choose, I textured the surface of mine with a patterned cake decorating rolling pin. Consider taking a batch to work, it might get you that promotion without having to sleep with the boss.



Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) and line two baking trays with baking paper.

Sift the flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a bowl and set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl for 3 minutes or until light and creamy. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until the dough just comes together. Shape into two discs, then wrap one in plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.

Roll out the remaining dough between two sheets of baking paper until 3 mm. (1/8 in) thick. Using a 7 cm (2 3/4in) round cookie cutter, cut out rounds, rerolling the trimmings, and place on the prepared trays, 3 cm (1 1/4in) apart. Using a 6 cm (2 1/2 in) fluted cookie cutter, make an indent in the centre of the cookies to decorate, if desired.

Bake, swapping the trays halfway through, for 15 minutes or until the cookies are just cooked (it's difficult to tell from the dark colour, but there may be small cracks on top). Remove from the oven and cool completely on the trays. Repeat with the remaining dough to make 40 cookies all up.

Meanwhile, to make the mascarpone vanilla cream, place all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

Take 20 of the cookies and spread 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mascarpone cream over the flat side of each cookie, then Sandwich with the remaining cookies. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until the mascarpone cream is firm, Serve chilled or at room temperature. The cookies will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

This post is not sponsored, the book was purchased at full price and in my opinion, worth every cent. This recipe is brought to you with permission from Hardie Grant Books and Yasmin Newman. If you want all the recipes grab your own copy here. Trust me, you won't regret it.

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Originally posted on Saturday, 14 October 2017 by Tenele