to Morocco, for the eve.

To celebrate my birthday, Tyler and I ventured to a new Moroccan restaurant called the Cous Cous Cafe. It is located on May, across from Barnes and Nobel, for OKC residents. It is easy to miss, nestled on the end of a small strip mall. The owner was so kind and hospitable to us, and the food was absolutely wonderful!  I feel that is so important to continually introduce my palate to new tastes, smells and textures. It gives me a great appreciation for other people, and things different than the usual.

Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea

Morrocan Mint Tea was presented to us in a traditional silver teapot, accompanied with two small glass vessels, resembling ornate shot glasses. The tea was a rich blend of green tea, fresh mint leaves, and a generous amount of sugar. It is a sign of hospitality and friendship. I found a recipe at Whole Foods that substitutes Agave Nectar for a sweetener: Moroccan Mint Tea Recipe.

Zaalouk

Humus, Zaalouk, Grape Leaves, & Fresh Pita came to us on an appetizer plate. The Humus was earthy and tasted of cumin, however, I have found many Moroccan Humus recipes that have honey in them. Zaalouk is a combination of eggplant, tomato, and spices. It was acidic and spicy, complementing the Humus very well. The Grape Leaves were stuffed with rice and spices, and drizzled with grapeseed oil. The Pita was unlike any I had ever had – warm, soft, and so fresh!

Vegetable Tagine

Vegetable Tagine is the main dish that we decided on. Tagine is the name of the pot which it is cooked in – made of a heavy clay. It consists of two parts; a base unit which is flat and circular with low sides, and a large cone or dome-shaped cover that rests inside the base during cooking. The cover is so designed to promote the return of all condensation to the bottom. With the cover removed, the base can be taken to the table for serving. (Wikipedia) Inside the pot, we were met with a beautiful medly of fresh veggies, steamed and spiced, served on a bed of yellow saffron rice.

Visit the Cous Cous Cafe, or the Moroccan restaurant near you!