Inspired by a trip to the beautiful city of Tetouan, ‘the white dove’ nestled at the foot of the Rif Mountains in Morocco, I decided to make a vegetarian tajine, served in earthenware purchased from the ancient Medina…

Ingredients

1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes

250g of frozen butternut squash chunks

210g tin of chickpeas

A packet of dried apricots

A handful of mixed raisins (I especially like the golden raisins)

A spoonful of Cap Bon, Harissa sauce

A sprinkling of Ras el Hanout

A sprinkling of cumin

Vegetable stock

 

Method

1. In a saucepan, heat the tomatoes alongside the frozen butternut squash chunks (you can also add red/orange pepper or carrots if you like)
2. Generously season with Ras el Hanout, cumin and harissa sauce, taste and add more depending on how hot you like your tajines!
3. Stir gently, allowing the flavours to infuse, add the apricots and vegetable stock cube and cook for around 20 minutes on a medium heat
4. Now add the raisins and chick peas and cook for 10 minutes
5. Ready to roll! This dish works nicely alongside couscous and if you’re feeling particularly ravenous, have some Mediterranean bread (Khobz/ Pitta/ French baguette) and hummus as a side-dish! 🙂

Bon appetit- a fruity and fiery tajine awaits!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Sidi Bou restaurant in Ealing. From the moment you walk through the door you are greeted by an oasis of blue and white decor and Tunisian music. Here I tried my first ever, brik a l’oeuf, which was simply scrumptious. Wafer thin brick pastry, filled with a luscious golden runny egg, garnished with dill, parsley and capers, served with a slice of lemon- perfect for drizzling all over and creating that delectable contrast of sharp and savoury. With the help of some artisan bread, I also devoured the homemade harissa hummus which had a lovely warm spicy flourish and the refreshing Tunisian salad made up of finely diced radishes, tomatoes, red onion and cucumber, drizzled with olive oil and speckled with herbs. This was washed down beautifully with an aromatic pot of mint tea and followed by pistachio patisserie! A fantastic, intimate and cosy restaurant, with a superb atmosphere and really welcolming staff- I even got the chance to meet the chef, who came out to greet the customers. Don’t miss the bazaar downstairs selling gorgeous Tunisian pottery! 5 stars, would highly recommend this place!

Thanks for joining me!

Welcome to my blog!

As a vegetarian, I’m always on the search for new and exciting flavours, and there is something about Mediterranean cuisine that draws me in and sets my taste-buds racing! From luscious Provencal tartes with aubergines and sun-blushed tomatoes to aromatic Moroccan tajines bejewelled with apricots and decadent dates, Tunisian brik a l’oeuf spiced with harissa and drizzled with lemon, to heavenly pistachio eclairs, I never cease to be enchanted by the vibrancy and beauty of this incredible mosaic of flavours. Here you’ll find recipes inspired by my adventures and recommendations of restaurants and cafes, that have caught my eye and captured my appetite! So hop aboard, bon voyage and bon appetit 😉