Your host: Leïla Greefhorst-Bali
Hello, I am Leïla Greefhorst-Bali. Born and raised in Morocco, I met my Dutch 'cheese head' in Casablanca in 1993, and I have lived in the Netherlands since 10 August 1993. It took some getting used to! The language, the people, the climate, daily life: everything is different. My three children have Moroccan first names and a Dutch surname. The Dutch singer Herman van Veen calls it a medley of hotchpotch and couscous. At home we also happily eat Dutch carrot mash with hachee, and it is just as delicious.
Food is central to our culture. I love cooking and being a host. Ever since I was a little girl I helped my mother in the kitchen. It was she who taught me the ingredients and how to prepare the meals. Countless herbs and spices find their way into the food, and into wholesome mixtures for all kinds of ailments; in that respect Morocco still lives close to nature. I have such fond memories of the celebrations we shared over the years. Food is always at the centre, everyone is welcome at the table, and there is always more than enough. When we are on holiday in Morocco (for me that is still coming home), we fetch fresh bread from the baker in the morning, and after breakfast we start preparing lunch, for us the most important meal of the day. We spend hours at the stove. After lunch a siesta, then a lovely walk on the beach or some shopping. Around six o'clock tea with biscuits and a roll, and late in the evening a light meal: a soup, a salad, something like that.
For years I gave cooking workshops here. I no longer do: my joints, and a shoulder operation, made me decide to stop.
The kitchen is still here, though, and you are welcome to cook in it yourself: with my recipes, in my tajines, at my table. Start by preparing the mint tea ('Moroccan beer' :-). Wonderfully sweet and full of flavour! In Moroccan cuisine, sweet and savoury often come together in one dish. I am glad to help you on your way.