Around the World in 80 Foods: Moroccan Salad with Basil (Fresh, of course!) and Ras al Hanout
So today, my good international friends one and all have come up with a perfect “mix-up” meal for this blog post…Moroccan Salad with Fresh Basil and Ras al Hanout…a fabulous North African dish perfect for using a medley of those fresh garden ingredients. What could possibly be such a confusing mash-up about that, you ask. Well, here’s the twist…
Today I am serving up my dazzling desert dish…my appealing Africa ambrosia…( my suave Saharan salad? Too much?) in 70 year old salad bowls from Japan!
‘Um…why?’ I’m sure is the question uppermost in your minds right now. Well, I recently came into possession of these family heirlooms, and immediately thought, “Well…they ARE for salad. So why not use them as condiment bowls for a large spread of layered salad?”
And in point of fact, these lovely handmade, red lacquered bowls were exactly what I needed, as this particular dish has layer upon layer of various vegetables, fruits, legumes, couscous and spiced meats!
Incomparable archaeologist Regal MacLaren and dear friend of mine (whose harrowing adventures are forever penned in the great Kurgan’s Secret manuscript!) takes full marks for this recipe!
You will need:
1 heaping cup of pre-cooked/shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with:
1 heaping teaspoon Ras al Hanout seasonings
1 heaping cup of pre-cooked/shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with:
¼ tsp. paprika
½ tsp. turmeric
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. granulated garlic
¼ tsp. black pepper
For the vinaigrette:
2 1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 ¼ -1 ½ tsp salt
2 ½ tsp. Ras al Hanout
½ tsp. turmeric
½ tsp. granulated garlic
½ cup oil
½ cup balsamic vinegar
For the toppings:
1 medium yam, peeled, cubed and boiled in salt water
½ red onion
Couscous (flavored or unflavored)
¼ cup (plus!) chopped dried Turkish figs or apricots (or both!)
1 can of garbanzo beans, drained and tossed with seasonings (use the same seasonings as for the second variety of chicken…paprika, turmeric, salt, black pepper, garlic, etc.)
Mixed salad greens and/or lettuce
Large handful fresh basil leaves
Gobs of fresh, ripe, juicy garden tomatoes (to TASTE!)
Crumbled Feta cheese…as much as you like
