Advice needed

[Muh and me 18]

My MIL is soon to have her interview for her visa to come here. Anyway, I would like to know what kind of spices and what not to get for her when she comes. I want to start stocking up now. I would ask my hubby but he don't cook moroccan. And I know she is gonna want to get into the kitchen, but I need the stuff that she would use. Also anything that would make her life easier here. thanks

[rclouse 0]

Turmeric. Lots and lots of turmeric.

[sereia 0]

Tell her to bring the spices with her! The spices she is probably used to are much better coming straight from Morocco than Wisconsin.

[caybee 21]

Turmeric. Lots and lots of turmeric.

[Berber Mama 5]

Cumin, Paprika, Turmeric, Ginger, and of course sea salt and ground black pepper. Those are my MIL's staples. Also lots of cloves of garlic and olive oil. She should be all set.

[caybee 21]

We hope my husband's mom will come for the baby's birth. I'm going to make sure we have a pressure cooker and a decent griddle, as well as a lot of semolina flour (a little difficult to find here, but the Middle Eastern grocery and a few other shops carry it) and couscous. I agree with asking her to bring the spices she likes with her (especially saffron), but I'm still going to make sure we have a lot of turmeric, black pepper, paprika, powdered ginger, cumin, and cinnamon since we use those the most. She uses a very large, flat-bottomed plate to make melwi, and I guess she could use the counter top, but if I see a plate like that, I'll pick it up.

I feel a little strange planning for her to do any kind of work when she comes, but I know she enjoys cooking, and my husband insists it will make her happy to cook for us. And he misses her cooking

Edited February 3, 2009 by caybee

[Nothing1234 2]

I agree. Have your MIL bring her spices. That's what my MIL did. Then when she comes bring her shopping for other supplies. I have a link for spices in English/Arabic translation if you need it too.

PM me if you need anything Terrie.

[Muh and me 18]

I agree. Have your MIL bring her spices. That's what my MIL did. Then when she comes bring her shopping for other supplies. I have a link for spices in English/Arabic translation if you need it too.

PM me if you need anything Terrie.

yes Annie, that translation would be help ful.

[notime4haterz 0]

ras al hanout and preserved lemons

[notime4haterz 0]

ras al hanout and preserved lemons

[dimanuni 1]

Tell her to bring with her ras el hanut (a mix of 37 spices) and helba (which is fenugreek, they use it in refeesa, or tride - the most delicious food in creation) cuz they're either unavailable or uncommon here.

You should be able to get everything else here, although it'll all be probably cheaper in Morocco. You can also very simply make preserved lemons, it just takes lemons, water and salt! I have a recipe if you want to make it before she comes, as it takes a week to preserve. She'll be impressed with you!

Other essentials (as noted by other people!), but I've provided the translations as we used in the Marrakech region:

cumin [kamoon]

paprika [hamira]

cinnamon [karfah]

turmeric [quekoum]

yellow food coloring (powdered, they always call it saffron [zafron] but what they use in morocco is actually just powdered food coloring, not real saffron - for some reason moroccans think normal chicken color is gross and want to color it yellow)

fresh garlic cloves [touma]

fresh ginger [skinjbir]

black pepper [bsar]

kosher salt [mlha]

olive oil [zit zitune or zit l ooud]

also, pick up dried lentils, fava beans, chick peas, a couple of small cans of tomato paste. And fresh yeast (the kind of have to refrigerate) if you want her to make fresh khubz! ( bread)

Oh, and for sure FRESH parsley and coriander.

Good luck and have fun eating! Yum, I'm sooooooo jealous. And if anyone wants to send me leftover melwi.........

[Jenn! 918]

yellow food coloring (powdered, they always call it saffron [zafron] but what they use in morocco is actually just powdered food coloring, not real saffron - for some reason moroccans think normal chicken color is gross and want to color it yellow)