to COOKING AT THE KASBAH!
After navigating around the same web site www.kittymorse.com for over 10 years, I felt it was time to give it a facelift! Please take the time to explore it. Send me a message. I promise to answer you, and to update my blog regularly! Click on the RSS Feed button in the upper right hand corner to receive my messages automatically.
I am very excited to relate that my book, Cooking at the Kasbah: Recipes from my Moroccan Kitchen (Chronicle Books) has gone into its third printing. Indeed, it is starred as a best selling cookbook in Chronicle’s Spring 2008 catalog. Since four other books of mine have gone out of print (though you can still purchase new or used copies on Amazon.com and other booksellers’ sites) it does my heart good to see that this book is still available! Click on individual book pages to find out more.
Over the years, I have had numerous requests for help in demystifying Moroccan cuisine and in helping plan trips to Morocco. I would be glad to share my expertise.
Throwing a diffa, a banquet or a party with a Moroccan theme? Talk to me!
Plan a party worthy of the 1001 Nights! Your guests will talk about this memorable event for years!
With a little advance planning, organizing a Moroccan tribal banquet is less time consuming than you think. I started my food career as a caterer specializing in Moroccan diffas, and I would love to share my know-how with you, from planning your menu to obtaining ideas for invitations or how to set up YOUR indoor Bedouin tent! E-mail me for details and pick my brain!
Planning a trip to Morocco? I can help you!
Yes, despite my “anglo” sounding name, I am REALLY a former Casablancaise—a casaweeyia-in local parlance. Casablanca is my hometown. Though I have lived in the United States most of my adult life, I maintain close personal ties to Morocco. After 23 years, I have placed my annual gastronomic expedition to Morocco on hold.
Would you like an insider’s unbiased opinion planning your itinerary or regarding your land arrangements in Morocco? I will also send you an updated version of the personalized handout I wrote specifically for the hundreds of passengers who took my tours! I am NOT a travel agent nor do I represent anyone in Morocco. E-mail me for more information.
A Biblical Feast: Ancient Mediterranean Flavors for Today’s Kitchen
A menu featuring biblical ingredients is both an educational and gastronomic experience! And it makes a great fundraiser for any church or temple! My book, A Biblical Feast: Ancient Mediterranean Foodstuffs for the Contemporary Table, features over 50 recipes based upon the 84 foodstuffs mentioned in the Old and New testaments is now out of print. Now, you can download the book, updated with my husband’s gorgeous food photography.
Please explore these pages, and tell me what you think. Try the recipes and give me feedback! Visit my “Friends” sites.
Tell your friends about my blog and come visit me again!
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Kitty’s classes, book signings and cooking demonstrations
Want to receive a free cookbook? Click here to see what you need to do!
Kitty, your site looks gorgeous! As a fan of your recipes, I will definitely check this site often.
Congrats,
Carolyn Jung, http://www.foodgal.com
Thanks, Carolyn.
And I can’t wait to read your food insights, as well..
Keep those preserved lemons on your shelf!
Best,
Kitty
Summer Solstice 2008:
Here it is, the longest day of the year, and it still feels like January in my mind. How can the months fly by so fast?
I have been remiss in keeping my blog current—my excuse? Trying to finish the memoir I began seven years ago. I can now see the end of my project—and it is exhilarating!
Like many of you, I watched the horrifying floods in the Midwest and felt so sorry for the victims. Here, in Southern California, we have the opposite problem: not enough water. What a shame we can’t transfer the overflow in the Midwest to the parched fields of Texas or California.
It has been swelteringly hot in San Diego County. As I was sitting in our back yard—I have created a sort of outdoor living room complete with couch—I sipped my new favorite summer drink: Carbonated water (Pellegrino, Perrier, or any unflavored “fizzy” water) with a splash of rose syrup and a sprig of mint. It was so fragrant and cool—and North African! Rose syrup can usually be found in Middle Eastern markets and good liquor stores in the US.
On the subject of flowers—have you tried flavoring drinks with flower waters like orange blossom water (ma za’har), or rose water (ma’ward)? Moroccans are very fond of ma za’ar , while Tunisians favor geranium water, and Algerians , ma ward.
Try a splash of ma za’ahar in an icy orange drink (orange juice diluted with a little water and sweetened with a spoonful of sugar) or in a watermelon drink (simply place chunks of watermelon in a blender, and process until smooth). I promise you, you will be immediately transported to a sofa in the cool recesses of a kasbah!
If ma za’har’s delicate flavor is to your liking, add a little to a salade de fruits: Cut up fresh fruit into ¼-inch dice, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a dash of orange blossom water. Garnish with a fresh (and edible!) rose petal or two: Voila—a simple and refreshing dessert fit for a Sultan or a Sultan’s wife!
My little book, Edible Flowers: A Kitchen Companion lists recipes for making your own violet syrup and rose petal ice cubes. It’s now out of print, but you might be able to locate it on a special book site.
Time to go out in the back yard and sip my fizzy rose water drink!
Stay cool. A bientot,
Kitty
Hi Victoria:
CONGRATULATIONS:
You were the most active visitor to my website so far–so I owe you a book!
Is there a place in the US where you get mail?
Kitty
PS: I am still looking forward to receiving your recipe for kefta..
All the best,
Kitty
Note: To other visitors to this site:
Since I promised to give away 5 books, I am extending my book give-away to the most active blogger through the months of June, July, August, and September 2008. Please keep on writing!
All the best,
Kitty