At Original Surf Morocco we are spoiled with fresh, home cooked authentic Moroccan cuisine every day. And nothing represents Moroccan tajine cooking better than the classic clay dish our chef Omar prepares — a Moroccan tajine is not just a meal, it’s a tradition passed down through generations
What Is a Moroccan Tajine
The tajine itself is a clay earthen dish with a triangular lid. What makes it so special and tasty is that it is served in the same dish it was cooked in, so all the deepest flavors and juices are preserved.
The Different Types of Moroccan Tajine
Tajine usually has meat or fish at the center of the dish with loads of fresh veggies surrounding it, but can be vegetarian as well. Being so close to the sea, we are often eating fresh, locally caught fish picked up from the local souk, or market, that same day.
To cook a tajine, the meat is added in first at the center of the dish. Different vegetables are then layered on in a circular formation, creating a beautiful, wheel-like colorful piece of art at the end.
The vegetables that take the longest amount of time to cook are added in first, and then layered on depending on how much time they need. Tajine is slow cooked over low heat for at least half an hour, sometimes up to an hour or even longer.
It seems the Moroccan way is to take your time, do it right, and enjoy the whole process of creation from start to finish.
Small amounts of water are added in to keep the bottom from burning, the triangular lid often has a hole at the top to allow for evaporation.
Omar’s tajines are not only extremely tasty and beautiful to look at, but also easily digestible, light on the stomach, and perfectly spiced – usually through a combination of salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, corriander, and turmeric.
We enjoy it almost every night here at Original Surf Morocco, with big family style dinners on our terrace overlooking the sea.
What Makes the Moroccan Tajine So Special
My favorite part about tajine is that instead of using silverware, you use bread to scoop up bites by hand. We’re always scraping up every last bit of the tajine – the best part is soaking up the yummy sauces and spice remnants leftover at the end.
Tajine is an absolute must try for all explorers experiencing Morocco.
Coming to Morocco without experiencing tajine is like arriving at a perfect surf break only to realize you forgot your board!
At our surf camp in Morocco, tajine is served fresh every day, it’s one of the highlights of every guest’s stay.
