MOROCCO
Colors, Textiles, Spices and food!
Moroccan Images above from this blog ,
Images like these bring inspiration for a dinner party
the textiles, spices, glass ware
the jewel colors, the warm scent of spice
I have been making concept books for as long as I can remember. It is fun to look back in time at the books to see who and what inspired me at that time.
I am the person who always has my "wee book" (as my family calls it), along with my camera!
Here are a few examples from one of my books: These examples are from a dinner party I threw in 2000. I am thinking I need to have another party soon!
portrait photo above by me
others by Robert Sanchez, Band Photographer & guest at my dinner party!
jewel colored draped tent frame,
with hanging candle chandeliers with ribbons.
Photographed by Robert with a old Polaroid camera with the aperture open for 1 minute.
I made Moroccan Chicken with Couscous.
My recipe was similar to the one I found in Domino magazine,
except I didn't add the lemon and I used a Moroccan Spice Rub, see below
photo Domino Mag
Moroccan Chicken:
Heat olive oil in heavy pan, cook chicken breast until golden brown 5 minutes, turn and cook other side . Add 1 rough chopped yellow onion and 2 -3 crushed garlic cloves, cooking about 1 minute. Add Moroccan Spice Rub, stir until chicken is coated and air is fragrant. Add about 5 cups water, roughly chopped cilantro & parsley & a pinch of crushed saffron. Simmer 30 minutes. Add about 3-4 cups pitted green olives cook additional 20 minutes until chicken is very tender.
Couscous:
Cook couscous as per package; when water boils add couscous, 1 cup of chopped pistachios, 1/2 cup raisons and 1/4 cup parsley. Cover, turn off heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and serve with chicken above.
Enjoy!
-cg
Beautiful post - not just because I can relate to so much of what you write...
ReplyDeletea) I also have what I call "scrapbooks" (- a word from my childhood) and treasure them beyond words...
b) I ADORE N African cuisine and regularly cook Couscous Royal, Tagine...which I adapt depending on what ingredients happen to be available
c) I never go anywhere without my notebooks/camera/painting block...
d) I'm permanently inspired by my surroundings; past, present and future..! Sounds, aromas, colours, "ambiances"...!
The list could go on forever - the one BIG difference, however, is that I am nowhere near ready to "exhibit" (in the noble sense of the word - i.e exhibition of an Artist's work) my private (intimate/personal) scrapbooks and paintings...
I'm working on "coming out"..:)