Moroccan Feast for Aunt Susan

February 28 2009
My aunt Susan and uncle Rick have the best single room bed and breakfast in Denver. When Dave and I need that happy extended family vibe we will be camped out with Rick and Susan. For our trip to Denver, for cousin Bobbi's wedding, we were immediately requested to fill the single available reservation at the BB. Upon arrival I was surprised to find the fabulous chef at the BB, that being Susan, out of commission due to a recent surgery. I couldn't let uncle Rick cook bacon and eggs for every meal so, I declared Saturday night Moroccan dinner night by moi. The inspiration for this was from flipping through the BB extensive cookbook collection. The newest book being Modern Moroccan by Ghillie Basan. Sorry I don't have any pictures of this feast. I will comment that everything we made from that book was wonderful. We even got the kids (3 and 4 yr old) involved and they ate some with glee. I couldn't keep little Sammie out of the filling for the M'hanncha and raw phyllo dough. Kid couldn't wait for it to bake. I do have to confess that I accidentally replaced the Lamb chops for Pork, oops. Still was great. And the yellow rice was Susan and My collaboration.

The evening menu was something like this.

Fish cakes with preserved lemons
Cucumber salad scented with orange flower water

Lamb chops in a fennel, onions, and tomato sauce
Yellow rice flavored with lemongrass, turmeric, and juice of preserved lemons
Red pepper, feta, preserved lemon salad
Bastilla or cashews, cilantro, and parsley

M'hanncha (The Snake) (Moroccan Almond Pastries)
Mint tea