Moroccan table
Original traditionstewFès-Meknès

Traditional Preserved Beef (Khlii)

An ancient preservation marvel of sun-dried beef strips seasoned heavily with coriander, cooked and preserved in melted suet fat and olive oil.

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In the ancient medina of Fes, where the scent of spices dances on the wind, Grandmother Fatima would rise before dawn to begin the sacred ritual of making khlii. Her hands, weathered by years of this craft, would move with the precision of a master calligrapher as she prepared the beef strips that would soon become treasures. The khlii pot would bubble over charcoal embers, its contents transforming from simple ingredients into something magical, something that could withstand the harsh winters and long journeys. When the caravans set forth across the Sahara, they carried clay jars of this preserved beef, a taste of home that sustained them through endless sands. Khlii is more than food; it is resilience made edible, a testament to Moroccan ingenuity in preserving abundance for times of scarcity, a golden thread connecting generations through shared flavors and stories.

Traditional Preserved Beef (Khlii) belongs to the Fès-Meknès table. Taste it where its Andalusian-Moroccan heritage kitchen tradition lives, or fold it into an itinerary through the region.

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Recipe

Moroccan Seafood and Broccoli Salad

modified version of a jane brody recipe. you can substitute sliced surimi sticks for the shrimp or scallops but, if you do so, do not add until salad has been dressed and tossed or the surimi will shred. cooking (passive) time also includes chilling time.

broccoli florets, scallions, red bell peppers, currants, small shrimp…
Kitchen method
Recipe

Seafood Bastilla with Shrimp, Calamari and Fish

Swordfish, shrimp, and calamari are mixed with Chinese vermicelli, black mushrooms, and a spicy tomato sauce. The filling is enclosed in paper-thin warqa or phyllo dough and then baked.The measures below are for raw seafood prior to cleaning. Prep time does not include shelling or deveining shrimp or cleaning calamari. Save time by having your fishmonger do some of this for you.Seafood Bastilla can be assembled and frozen until baking time. Shape the bastilla into a single large pie as shown here or make small, individual-sized pies for easier serving.

For the Seafood:, 1 kilogram/2 pounds fresh medium shrimp (shelled, cleaned and tails removed), 1/2 kilogram/1 pound fresh calamari, cleaned and cut into 1/4" rings (tentacles chopped), 1/2 kilogram/1 pound fresh swordfish (or another firm, low-fat fish), 3 tablespoons butter (divided)…
Kitchen method
Recipe

Moroccan Berber Tagine with Lamb or Beef and Vegetables

Moroccan tagines that combine meat and vegetables make wonderful one-dish meals to offer at family dinners or when entertaining casually. They can be slow-cooked on the stove, or prepped indoors and then cooked outside over charcoal for backyard dining or at beach outings and picnics.Berber style tagines such as this one are distinguished not only by the seasoning but also by the presentation of ingredients. The vegetables are carefully arranged in conical fashion around the beef or lamb, fully concealing the meat in an artistic, appetizing manner.Although many of the tagine recipes on this site include directions for alternative preparations in a pot or pressure cooker, this one is best slowly cooked in the traditional clay or ceramic vessel from which it takes its name. The seasoning below is ideal when using potatoes as the dominant ingredient, but other vegetables are added for color and complementary flavor. Here I'm recommending carrots and zucchini, but either or both can be replaced with fresh peas, green beans, sliced tomatoes, turnips, or other veggies you might have on hand.Preserved lemon and olives are classic additions and do add a distinctive flavor and some saltiness, but may be omitted if you don't have them on hand. Adjust salt accordingly. If using chicken instead of red meat, see the tips below.The tagine serves as both the cooking vessel and serving dish; diners gather around and eat from their own side of the tagine using Moroccan bread (khobz) in place of a utensil.

1 pound beef, or lamb, cut into 2-inch to 3-inch pieces, 1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 medium onion, sliced, 1 medium onion, finely chopped, 3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or pressed…
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Recipe

Moroccan Lamb or Beef Tagine with Peas and Artichokes Recipe

This delicious Moroccan tagine recipe can be prepared in a pressure cooker, conventional pot or traditional clay tagine. Directions are included for all methods. Fragrant with ginger and saffron, it's a classic. Goat meat may be substituted for the lamb or beef.

1 pound lamb, or beef, cut into 2- to 3-inch pieces, 1 medium onion, chopped, plus one more onion, sliced if cooking in a tagine, 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons ginger…
Kitchen method