Moroccan Furniture Decor Lifestyle and more

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To really get a taste of Moroccan and middle eastern history, you really have to visit a Medina… and not just any Medina… Comparable to the labyrinth like Medinas of Bagdad and Damascus, Fez’ old city is one of Unesco’s protected heritage sites.

Although Rabat is the capital of Morocco Fez has retained its title of imperial capital.

Founded in the 9th century and home to the oldest university in the world, Fez reached its height in the 13th–14th centuries under the Marinids, when it replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the medina – madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - date from this period. Although the political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fez has retained its status as the country’s cultural and spiritual centre.
“Unesco.org“

One of the other great attraction among many is the tannery of fez where leather is still treated the centuries old methods.

Enjoy “the trip”

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Jamaa el Fna is the principal square and the most famous place in the Moroccan city of Marrakech, it is a couple of meters from Koutoubia Mosque where the minaret is still clearly visible along with other less dominant mosques.

There are kinds of hypothesis surrounding the story behind the name of the square, the origin of its name remains unknown and a mystery: Literally, it means Assembly of the dead in Arabic, but as the word djemaa also means mosque in Arabic, it could also mean place of the vanished mosque, in reference to the destroyed Almoravid dynasty mosque.

The square of Jamaa el Fna is a large plaza surrounded, except one side, by Zocos (markets or souks). These markets or Souks are vibrant and never sleep. On the other side line up a series of Cafes like café the France or Café CTM who open their terraces to tourist alike who maybe be exhausted from walking the crowded plaza but still had not had enough of this sublime scene.

At night all of Marrakech turn toward Jamaa el Fna, where thousands of people meet at this public space filling it up with colors, culture, story tellers, henna artists exposing their skills, snake charmers, dancers, dentists, orange juice sellers, acrobats, public writers and an infinite number of activities.

But the most amazing part of the this spot that could very well be taken from the one thousand and one nights, is that the noises from different street artist, fumes from the cooking stands, and makeshift lighting amounts to an absolutely orgasmic experience (Sorry but that is the only way I know how to describe it)

In the year of 2001 The UNESCO nominated Jamaa el Fna as World Heritage Site

One of my favorite places in the world is Cafe Hafa! It’s not a fancy restaurant, at Mall, or an exclusive spot to see and be seen… Rather, it is a hidden gem in the little labyrinth looking neighborhood in tangier called Marshan…

The coffee shop is an archaic collection of unbalanced tables, crooked chairs with stone walls and rustically painted with whatever they found at the time.

I can’t help but reminiscent… this is the spot where I would hang out when I skipped school… I would sit (and sip Mint Tea) there for hours and hours with nothing in mind other then admiring the fantastic view over the Mediterranean on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.

On a clear day, I can see Spain which is only 16 miles away and like a swiss watch stare at the Ferry making its daily entry into the port and at 16:45…

A tranquil place where students, writers, Kif and Hashish smokers hangout, chat, and relax to the background Music of the Egyptian Diva Oum Khaltoum, Bob Marley, or Jimmy Hendrix. From time to time you can spot a celebrity like M. Jagger, Michael Jackson come checkout the place where Tennesse Williams and Paul Bowles found inspiration. I cant wait until my next trip to go shopping for Moroccan lamps to visit this spot… Nothing Else for now check out his Video…. Ciao

If you have one of those authentic clay tagines or plan to buy one then you need to know how to season it.

What is seasoning?
Seasoning is the process of preparing a Tagine the very first time you use it. Because the Tagine is made out of clay and those can crack if the heat is not dissipated correctly and evenly.

How to season?

1st technique is to “paint brush” the inside of the tagine with olive oil so that the heat is conducted evenly. Adding a chopped onion will keep the oil from burning then place the tagine on the stove for 30 minutes on very low heat.

2nd technique is to plunge the Tagine in water and then wipe dry, then sit it on a stove top for 30 minutes under very low heat.

What not to do:
Never put a tagine from a top hot area to a cold one or vice versa… Dramatic changes in temperature WILL crack your tagine.
Tagine cooking is ALWAYS in very low heat
Do not microwave
Hand wash after it has cooled down

That’s all Folks pick your favorite Moroccan Recipes and have fun

Source: http://www.themoroccanbazaar.com

Found this cool article on the NY times Site by Florence Fabricant:

CAN modern technology go one better than cookware that has been used for centuries? Armed with about 14 pounds of raw chicken and a “show me” attitude, I set out to see whether three new tagines could improve on the traditional cone-shaped terra-cotta baking dish that is as essential to North African cookery as a wok is to Asian.

The original tagine, humble and undecorated, has a heavy, shallow glazed dish, almost like a pie plate, as its bottom. The conical lid has a jaunty topknot used as a handle.

Though a tagine like this can go into the oven, it is meant to be used on top of the stove or on a charcoal burner, as it is in back road cafes and top restaurants in Morocco. Food, sometimes browned first, is set to simmer slowly in the bottom dish, and the lid is placed on top. As steam rises and hits the unglazed inside surface of the lid, much of it is absorbed by the clay; only some of it condenses back into the food. The result is a gradual concentration and reduction of the cooking juices, turning them magically into sauce as they meld with the fat used in the preparation.

(Sample of a traditional Moroccan Tagine)

Most tagines used for years have a time-worn conditioning, which is said to add a certain quality to the flavor of the food. It is an allure I cannot dispute.

All-Clad, Emile Henry and Le Creuset, cookware companies that surely know a trend, have come out with tagines that, for visual panache, outclass humble terra cotta.

Le Creuset was the first to redesign the tagine, introducing a version with a cast-iron bottom pan and glazed stoneware lid in 1998. All-Clad, which came out with its model late last year, designed a copious bottom pan of shiny stainless steel with an aluminum core and a lid of glazed ceramic. The Emile Henry model, the newest of the three, is made of the company’s Burgundian clay, which it also uses for its casseroles. Unlike most terra cotta, this material can be used over high heat on a direct flame.

All three tagines are far sleeker than the rustic traditional one that I have owned since my first trip to Morocco in 1991. I bought it in New York when I returned, spending more than double the $5 it would have cost me in the souk in Marrakesh. (I chose to haul rugs instead.)

I prepared the same chicken recipe in the three new tagines and in my Moroccan model. It’s a dish I concocted with some North African references, but not a typical one with olives or preserved lemons. Culinary note: the food that is prepared in a tagine is also called a tagine. North African cooks do not make couscous in a tagine.

Perhaps it was the use over time that has so beautifully seasoned my Moroccan tagine, but there was no doubt at the “dinner of the four tagines,” as my husband called it, that the results in my old-fashioned pottery one had far more intensity and richness than the others. Each produced chicken that was nicely moist and flavorful. But the sauce from my humble tagine was the best. It even had a somewhat deeper color.

The sauce in the model by Le Creuset emerged very watery and bland. The All-Clad and Emile Henry tagines were better, with the Emile Henry perhaps having a slight edge. The glazed undersides of the lids allowed too much steam to condense on the food, as with a Dutch oven.

The All-Clad is recommended for a gazillion other uses. I tried making pizza, attracted by the possibility of stovetop pizza in 10 minutes, as the recipe booklet promised. I heated the lightly greased pan, shaped the dough to fit it and cooked it over high heat until it was lightly browned. I flipped it over, as instructed, spread on the tomato sauce and cheese, lowered the heat and covered it.

The pizza was done in five minutes. But the condensing steam left an unappealing puddle of liquid on top of the pizza. And it took a good half-hour to scrub the pan clean afterward. The pan is also too big and heavy for making crepes, another suggestion.

I was puzzled by the recipes that came with the new tagines. Most suggested using one to two cups of liquid. Judging from the amount of sauce I got with a mere half-cup of stock in my recipe, I can only conclude that the results would be soup, not sauce. If you follow one of these recipes, I would suggest starting with less stock or water; you can always add more.

The bottom line? A traditional tagine is an extremely effective utensil for slow stove-top braising. But if you prefer to invest in utensils that have multiple uses, you might consider one of the new-wave tagines.

IMPORTANT:
One thing that this article does not address is that some of these Tagines made the old fashion way contain lead. In Morocco there is only one company that makes and imports these tagines lead free: www.themoroccanbazaar.com

Source: http://www.themoroccanbazaar.com

Moroccan lamps and Moroccan lighting traditions: A few centuries back, the best way to brighten a home was by using henna lamps or any other lamps for that matter. Lamps can create magic and give your home a look that you have desired for so long yet you could never find that style that will do it. Maybe these lamps are nowhere near the Aladdin’s lamp but they sure have the ability to captivate you or your friends. It may not be as bright as the halogen bulbs you installed in your living room but they have a subtle and charismatic appeal that cannot be ignored.

Maybe you have halogen bulbs installed in every room and every room probably looks the same. But do you remember the time when you went out on this wilderness trail and camped under a sky full of stars. The only bright object was the lamp that lit up the fire of romance in your heart. That’s the power of Moroccan lamps. It can change the entire ambience of your house. From being a dwelling with four wooden or concrete walls with some basic furnishing, you can change it to being a real home by adding a few Moroccan lamps. The touch and feel of earth has always been great and the Moroccan lamps create that earthy feeling, which you have longed for such a long time.

One of the most beautiful of them all is the Moroccan henna leather lamps, which will add a class and bring elegance to your living room as well as your life. Your neighbors would stare at them, look at you with envy and ask you where you found them. The Moroccan Henna lampshade is a symbol of subtleness mixed with style and any thing that is related to art, history and culture is always looked at as being a class apart. These lamps are unique decoration items and they will add some color to your otherwise normal life. You can place them anywhere be it on top of the piano or the fireplace or place them gently over the center table. They have this uncanny nature of fitting in anywhere and everywhere.

Are you ready to purchase a Moroccan henna leather lamp? Before that lets take a look at what is the specialty of the lamp and where does it come from. Firstly, let us understand what henna really is. Henna is a plant, which is used to make a dye. This dye is traditionally extracted from the dry henna leaves and used in decorative art. Henna is applied on hands and feet of mostly women as a decoration in various parts of the world. It is even used for decorating the hand of the bride in marriages in Northern India. In Morocco, henna is used for creating exotic designs for the leather lamps and lanterns. It is also known as Mehndi, in North Africa including Morocco, India, and the Middle East. It has traveled from all these countries to North America and is gaining popularity due to its subtleness, beauty and ability to be used in intricate designs.

The Moroccan henna leather lamps are made by professional artisans who have been doing it for centuries and the skill gets passed on from one generation to another. This is the exact reason why these lamps are unique. The best part is that no two henna lamps will have the same design. The lamps are made from goatskin with each section being hand-tied to a frame and finally the henna is applied for creating beautiful designs on the leather. Since so much effort goes into making a single henna lamp hence it is like a piece of treasure and owning one means that you belong to the elite without the budget. It will become an integral part of your interior decoration and home lighting.

The Moroccan lamps are available in different shape and size and you can choose from a variety of designs, half of which are unique. You can choose a lamp according to the existing decor or even the size of your room. You can hang the lamp from the ceiling or place it on the bed side table or event compliment them with henna wall sconces. Wherever you choose to put it, it is definitely going to glorify the surrounding and make your home look beautiful. If you have wrought iron decorations in your home then the mix of wrought iron denoting the Victorian era mixed with the Moroccan lamps denoting the early civilizations will create an intoxicating environment.

Source: http://www.themoroccanbazaar.com

Morocco is home to Andalusian classical music that is found throughout North Africa. It probably evolved under the Moors in Cordoba, and the Persian-born musician Ziryab is usually credited with its invention. Ziryab invented the nuba, a suite which forms the basis of al-âla, the primary form of Andalusian classical music today, along with Gharnati and Malhun.

There used to be twenty-four nuba linked to each hour of the day, but only four nuba have survived in their entirety, and seven in fragmentary form. An entire nuba can last six or seven hours and are divided into five parts called mizan, each with a corresponding rhythm. The rhythms occur in the following order in a complete nuba:

1. basît (6/4)
2. qaum wa nusf (8/4)
3. darj (4/4)
4. btâyhi (8/4)
5. quddâm (3/4 or 6/

Each mizan begins with instrumental preludes called either tuashia, m’shaliya or bughya, followed by as many as twenty songs (sana’a) in the entire mizan.

Andalusian classical schools are spread across Morocco, having left Spain when the Moors and Jews were driven out of the country. Valencia’s school is now in Fez, while Granada’s is located in Tetouan and Chefchaouen. Cities like Tangier and Meknes have their own orchestras as well.

Jews in Morocco played an important role in the perpetuation of this oral tradition. In fact, the late Rabbi David Bouzaglo was known to have a conservatory of sorts in Casablanca where a number of Arab and Jewish musicians trained in al-Ala.

Andalusian classical music uses instruments including oud (lute), rabab (fiddle), darbouka (goblet drums), taarija (tambourine), qanún (zither) and kamenjah (violin). Other instruments have included pianos, banjos and clarinets, though none of these instruments lasted for long.

Gharnati

Gharnati is primarily Algerian, but is also popular in Rabat and Oujda in Morocco. It is arranged in nuba like al-âla; there are four unfinished nuba and twelve complete ones. Orchestras consist of kvîtra, mandolin, banjo, oud and kamenjah. The word “Gharnati” comes from the Andalusian city of Granada. Granada symbolizes the fertile ground for Andalusian Art.

Source: http://www.themoroccanbazaar.com

has long been considered as one of the most diversified cuisines in the world. The reason is because of the interaction of Morocco with the outside world for centuries. The cuisine of Morocco is a mix of Arab, Berber, Moorish, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean African and Jewish influences. The cooks in the royal kitchens of Fez, Meknes, Marrakech, Rabat and Tetouan refined Moroccan cuisine over the centuries and created the basis for what is known as Moroccan cuisine today.

History and Influences:

Being at the crossroads of many civilizations, the cuisine of Morocco has been influenced by the native Berber cuisine, the Arabic Andalusian cuisine; brought by the Moors when they left Spain, the Turkish cuisine from the Turkish and the Middle Eastern cuisines brought by the Arabs as well as the Jewish cuisine.

The history of Morocco is reflected in its cuisine. Political refugees left Baghdad in the Middle Ages and settled in Morocco, bringing with them traditional recipes that are now common in Morocco but forgotten in the Middle East. We know this because there are striking similarities between a 12th century (Common Era) collection of recipes by Al-Baghdadi, and contemporary Moroccan dishes. A signature characteristic is cooking fruit with meat like quince with lamb or apricots with chicken. Further influences upon Moroccan cuisine came from the Moors (Spanish Muslims) who were expelled from Spain during the Spanish inquisition.

According to Paula Wolfert, the specialist of Moroccan cuisine and author of a renowned book on the subject (see recipe books section):

Traditional dishes are Tagines, which is also the name of the cooking vessels (see Tagines), couscous, Bastilla, and of course you have to have the mint tea.

Source: http://www.themoroccanbazaar.com

Home is where the heart is but is your home missing something? Maybe what your home really needs is a little design here and there and something really classic to enhance the entire decor. If your home has the same lighting, bulbs and candle stands then how is it really different from any other home? Did you know that natural light is more relaxing than the artificial luminescence? If you didn’t know this then this is the best time to bring some change. Add some magic into your home and brighten up the décor using some of the oldest methods of lighting – bring home the Moroccan Lanterns!

You are probably wondering how a lantern can change the ambience of your home. A lantern will provide a rustic look to your home. You can hang it anywhere but will look great in your living room as well as on the garden porch. Imagine having a dinner on the porch brightened by the subtle magnificence of the Moroccan Lantern. You need to experience it to feel the impact!

Let’s take a look at Moroccan lanterns and why they are preferred to ordinary lanterns. Moroccan lighting has been a unique home decoration concept for a long time and there are reasons for the same. Moroccan decor is not something that you will find easily in US homes as it doesn’t have a deep reach. If you find a home with Moroccan décor then be rest assured that either they have traveled to Morocco to find it or they have found it through specialists like us. Moroccan Decor is rare but its uniqueness comes from the fact that it has influences of Moroccan history, culture and art. Moroccan lighting is also a part of the same influence and brings with it the geometric forms, vivid colors, and exotic designs, which have long been the symbol of Moroccan decor.

One of the exotic Moroccan lanterns also known as the henna lamps is made from stretched goat skin and is decorated with exquisite designs. The designs are all hand painted and based on traditional henna designs. Some of the designs are also dyed with paprika or saffron based dyes and is the ultimate decoration piece for your living room. It will add an earthy touch and bring in the rustic feel to your living room or any where in your house where place it. The henna sconce is also used without lighting but these are meant to be stand alone decorative wall pieces.

Another Moroccan decoration that you can try is the stained glass lamp that comes with carved motives and definitely makes a bolder statement as far as designing your interiors is concerned. The Stained glass lamps are one of its kinds and will add spice to the overall interior decoration of your house. Moroccan lamps are also known as Moroccan lanterns and can be added to an existing wrought iron chandelier to bring a warmth and delightfully appealing freshness to your home.
With Moroccan lighting, you can get your true creative spirit working and use them to recreate a truly exotic Moroccan oasis.

Using Moroccan lighting

You can try and use various types of wattage to get different looks in terms of design and brightness. You can also experiment a little and use a candle especially if you are using the Moroccan lantern in a small space. While using henna lamps or henna wall sconces, you can try a low wattage to get the right ambience – it will provide a very romantic feel.

Maintenance of your Moroccan lighting
When it comes to the maintenance of Moroccan lighting then you can feel good about the fact that the maintenance cost is as good as zero. Another salient point is that unlike tubes and bulbs or even candles, the Moroccan lanterns can last for almost a lifetime. The only maintenance required involves lubrication of the side door hinges. This lubrication can be done once in a while or during the rainy season. If you choose the henna lamps or the henna wall sconce then they don’t require any maintenance at all.

You will have to also spray the Moroccan lanterns with a sealant, which will prevent gathering of rust. The other way is to use sealant on each and every metal part and for this you will have to take the glass of first. Either ways, the use of sealant will increase the longetivity of the lanterns and provide you with enough luminance to last a lifetime.

Source: http://www.themoroccanbazaar.com

Moroccan Decor…. What is a home without the right decor? Everyone at some time or the other lives the dream of having their own home and probably you are living that dream. Along with the dream comes many things like renovating the home, brightening the interiors, new paint, decorations, wall pieces, show pieces, chandeliers etc. But sometimes, people also end up using so much decoration that it takes away the charm of living in that house. But on the other hand, you can experiment with earthen decors and subtle interior decoration or art to instill a new life into your home. One of doing is by introducing themes based on colors and the other is to use themes based on countries like using the Moroccan decor.

You would probably ask what is so great about Moroccan decor. There is a subtlety in Moroccan decor and it is very earthy in nature. The important point is that if you want your home to stand out of the crowd then you need to think different. Everyone uses the same decors, almost the same ceramic tiles, the aqua colors on the walls and even the ever so popular and classic wrought iron decorative pieces. But if you use Moroccan decor, you are definitely going to create a stir and your friends and neighbors are going to ask you questions about how you went around doing it all. It is not just about decorating the interiors of your home; it is also about creating your own class and being a part of an elite crowd in the society.

Let’s take a few steps back in time to know more about a country that has made its impact in the worldwide interior decoration market with their artistic themes. Morocco in North Africa has a rich cultural and historical heritage that exudes beauty through various forms of art, which are often seen as mysterious or magical. Moroccan decor in the last couple of years has been re-discovered and today it is used to add a sensual appeal through art and colors to homes.

If you have visited Morocco then you have had the opportunity to enjoy the rich cultural heritage that it boasts of. If you have never been to Morocco then you can become an integral part of the country, the people and the art through understanding and using Moroccan decor. Moroccan culture was a mix of five ethnic groups, Arab, Berber, Islamic, African and Iberian and their heritage has survived the harsh destruction of time because till around the 20^th century, the land was free from foreign invasion. Around the early 1900’s, Moroccan culture was influenced immensely by various characteristics of the European cultures but in spite of the influence, Morocco was able to keep its tradition, art & culture alive. Some instances are like the existence of the traditional Moroccan house with a garden in the interior, which is known as Riad and it has not changed for almost five centuries.

The Moroccan style and decor is spectacular in looks and sensuous in appeal and has been there was centuries. The intense colors of the Moroccan style cast a magic spell on anyone who uses it and even on those who see it. Most of the Moroccan decor is created from a mix of raw terracotta clay, and the color can vary from the passionate red of the paprika spice to the intense blue of the Mediterranean and the shimmering yellow of the Sahara. You can almost feel the decor as if it were alive!

In fact one of the spectacular Moroccan decor is created with an intense blue as is there at Jardin Majorelle located in the Avenue Yacoub el Mansour in Marrakesh. You have to really see it to believe it but we warn you: you won’t be able to stop yourself from falling in love with the color. The blue is unique because no one has ever been able to copy it. But Moroccan decor is not just about vibrant colors, there more to it than meets the eye. You can use Moroccan lighting with different designs and patterns that has a subtle touch of Moroccan and Islamic architecture. The intricately designed filigree lanterns with colored glass inserts is a temptation you can hardly refuse and it exudes a class that has elegance. There are special Moroccan henna lamps that come in a hue of colors and can hold you spellbound for hours.