The Dinner Party Guide: Moroccan Edit

our march inspirations for a simple dinner with friends

because you should invite some friends over for dinner

the inspiration

THIS MONTH WE ARE INSPIRED BY MOROCCO.

Morocco is in the Northwest corner of Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, with Algeria and Western Sahara to the south and east. The size of the country is slightly larger than the state of California, and has a diverse geography with majestic mountain peaks, wind-swept deserts, lush oasis, fertile plains, and beautiful coastline.

With a long and complex history, Morocco has been culturally influenced by various civilizations including the Berbers, Phoenicians, Arabs, Romans, and the French. Major cities include Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca, Meknes, and Rabat, the Capital, and each have their unique architecture with stunning mosques, medinas, palaces, and bustling souks.

The cuisine is fragrant, spiced, and rich in flavor and is similar to Middle Eastern cuisine. Popular dishes include couscous, tagines, and pastilla. While alcohol isn’t consumed by the majority of Moroccans, tea is an important part of Moroccan hospitality and is brewed for almost all social interactions.

“We have all taken part in a gathering, a ritual, or an adventure that felt unrewarding or downright upsetting to be a part of. Then there are those experiences that take us over the moon, experiences that remind us of who and why we are. They seem to transform us. Those experiences feel like magic, but it doesn’t take a spell to make them happen.”

— Ida Benedetto

Excerpt from Patterns of Transformation: Designing Sex, Death, and Survival in the 21st Century

to set the mood

RECOMMENDED COOKING

Anything from Paula Wolfert's cookbook The Food of Morocco
Or our recipes by Britt St Clair below ;)

RECOMMENDED READING

I love this powerful article by Ida Benedetto Patterns of Transformation: Designing Sex, Death, and Survival in the 21st Century. Be sure to explore her site to learn more about what makes an experience life-changing.

WHAT TO EXPLORE

Explore Moroccan food in Minneapolis with  chef/owner Hassan Ziadi of Moroccan Flavors in Midtown Global Market.

THE PLAYLIST

Nothing sets the mood like the right music— let us help. Find dinner party tunes here.

MOODBOARD

I love moodboards! Love ‘em! They’re a fantastic way to visualize ideas and set the tone for any gathering. See my March Pinterest board here.

for the table

THE SETTING

THESE incredible handcrafted tagines, made in Morocco. No two are alike!

THE CONVERSATION

For special dinners at home, like date nights and dinner parties, I love the personal touch of setting handwritten menus on the table. Alongside the menus, I find its fun (though some find it cheesy, and I don’t care!) to set conversation cards on the table. They’re a great way to be unserious and spark conversation.

Use this month’s and don't forget to check out our past months as well. Putting a little care into curating the moment, but not overly directing really makes a gathering special.

on the menu

THE MARCH MENU

We’re on holiday in Morocco for the month of March! Welcome your guests as the Moroccans do with a glass of mint tea while you sit down to a Moroccan inspired-apero hour. Settle in at the table with two popular dishes: Berber couscous and a tagine, this one made with prawns, tomatoes, and olives. Finish the evening with the rose syrup soaked semolina cake with clotted cream.

ORDER THE MARCH MENU

JAMIE'S MENU HIGHLIGHT: Berber Couscous

The flavors on this menu are so simple, yet complex and exotic— and still, familiar. My favorite is the Berber couscous, which is made with the addition of a little milk at the end, having a very transformative effect. 

This is a menu you will not want to stop eating! When you get to the dessert, pay special attention to the layer of cream that is baked right into the rose scented cake! It’s something special. Oh yeah, and we are making the Smen butter from scratch and it is astoundingly good with the flatbread. 

I am also in love with how this meal starts, in Moroccan tradition, with Mint Tea and a smattering of fresh vegetables and salads. It’s light and bright and the most delightful way to settle into a long dinner with loved ones.

recipes for you

Prawn Tagine with Tomato, Olives, & Caramelized Oranges

You don’t necessarily need a tagine to make a tagine, but who doesn’t love buying new kitchen equipment? And the beauty of a tagine? It’s truly a one-pot dish, including its own serving vessel. Plop a trivet on the dining room table and set the tagine on top! No additional platters necessarily.

GET THE RECIPE

Marinated Citrus & Black Olive Salad

Celebrate the end of citrus season with this marinated Moroccan salad. For black olives, try to find some from the region. If you’re in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, Holy Land or Bill’s Imported Foods are both great places to find specialty ingredients.

GET THE RECIPE

to drink

Goat Cheese & Honey Cigars

Moroccan cigars can be filled with a variety of fillings, including spiced meats, almond paste, kefta, and fillings normally used in bastila. This cigar recipe has a tang of goat cheese, silky scrambled eggs, and savory herbs that’s sweetened with honey to create a crispy balance of sweet and savory.

GET THE RECIPE

Moroccan-Inspired Apèro Hour

To us, apèro hour is the highlight of the evening. It’s an ice breaker, if you will, designed to help everyone settle into the evening. This could mean the tagine is still stewing, the chicken might still be roasting, or the meat is resting — or maybe you just want that extra long cocktail hour!

You can have a standing apèro hour with a spread of snacks set on the kitchen island, keeping the host company while they finish any final touches. I view it as having a little “borrowed-time” when hosting. Because there’s a spread, your guests feel taken care of and dinner doesn’t need to be rushed to the table.

GET THE APÈRO RECIPES

to drink

SOMMELIER NOTES FOR MARCH

“There is far too much going on in the March Menu to ‘pair’ wine so we’re going with broad strokes. Neither the food nor the wine should take away from each other. The wines should sidle up to the dishes and be a passenger or take a back seat. Stay away from tannic, high alcohol reds and whites with lower acidity.” Read Bill’s full wine notes.

MINT TEA & MOROCCAN HOSPITALITY

While alcohol isn’t consumed by the majority of Moroccans, tea is an essential part of Moroccan life and is brewed for almost all social interactions. While every Moroccan has their own way of brewing tea, there’s a basic method: use green tea, fresh mint, and a very clean pot. Serve. Sip. Gossip.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ZERO-PROOF?

Our friends at Marigold put together a selection of nonalcoholic pairings each month.

THE MEMBER GIFT

Each season, our members receive a complimentary hand-selected gift. This season’s gift is perfect for entertaining— Love & Victory Diver Cocktail Picks from Shop Senti. We can’t wait for you to show them off!

Learn more about Membership Benefits.

(dinner) party with us

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“Instructions for Living : Pay attention, be astonished, tell about it.”

— Mary Oliver