If you’d told me I’d be taking a bite of homemade bread made by me and baked in a wood-fired oven in Morocco, I would have thought you were a dreamer, for sure. But that’s exactly what happened during a one-day excursion to the Ourika Valley near Marrakech with Chef Joanne Weir, author of numerous cookbooks, winner of James Beard International Cook Award, and host/writer/star of Plates and Places. I went to Morocco for Joanne’s one-week International Culinary Journey along with three other friends from Knoxville, and baking traditional Moroccan White Bread (Khobz) was just one of many treats of the week!
At the resort in Ourika Valley, we watched as Joanne, a familiar guest and visitor, washed her hands in preparation for bread baking.
Then she surprised everyone as she donned native attire and jumped into the role of Moroccan teacher and baker.
Staff members provided individual bowls, flour, and a few additional ingredients (yeast, water, salt and sugar). Then they provided tips and instruction on how to make a well, put the additional ingredients in the center, add water, and knead. The final step? Add a signature top so you could find your loaf among the many in the kiln.
When done, the loaves were placed on a wooden peel and thrust into the wood fire, a process that ensured a toasted exterior and a warm, but soft, interior for each round loaf. The loaves puffed up, about three inches each. And the crust turned a soft, toasty brown.
You can probably guess what happened next. We spent a few moments showing off our loaves to others and texting pictures home.
But then, we were ready for a warm, savory bite of the simple, crusty rounds of handmade Traditional Moroccan Bread!
If you are sheltering at home during the coronavirus, you, too, may have found the joy of combining simple ingredients for a special baked treat for your family. Here’s to each of you dealing with the pandemic and a wish for safety and good health from our house to yours.
Rusha & Bert
This post is one of a series of one-word prompts for April 2020 called Discover Prompts by WordPress. Enjoy!
CompassAndCamera
What a fun group experience! And the results look delicious. Another blogger I follow just posted about baking lavash in Armenia. Such an interesting process. You might enjoy reading her post (triciaannemitchell.com/blog/). Thanks Rusha!
Oh, the Places We See
Great suggestion. I’ll check it out!
twobrownfeet
Looks like such a nice experience! It must have been fun. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
You’re so right — not only fun but tasty. It was also a group experience even though we made individual loaves. We compared notes, talked about previous baking experiences at home, etc. These pictures bring back good memories!
Joanne Weir
This brings back such fond memories! I am trying to remember what year that was!? Do you recall? I remember Bert joining us for dinner the last evening. I was supposed to be leaving for Morocco and Suciily in two weeks. I moved the trip to 2021 in May. I will most certainly miss Marrakech this year. Thanks for including me Rusha. best to you and Bert. XXX
Oh, the Places We See
We were in Morocco with you in 2018 — and what a memorable trip. Not only the cooking part — you scheduled some outstanding places to see for shopping, eating out, and observing life as it is . . . like Jemaa el-Fna Square. Sorry you had to reschedule ’til 2021, but at least you have something to look forward to. I hope you find Morocco just as colorful and interesting as it was when we were there!
pam@ichoosethis
How much fun is this?? I bet it was delicious!
Oh, the Places We See
Any warm bread to me is delicious and satisfying. If I baked bread and ate it on a regular basis, I’d weigh a ton, I guess. There’s no stopping when I get into a hot loaf, especially if butter is involved!
nancymaland5340
What a wonderful memory of a fabulous day!!! Thanks for sharing the day with me and this wonderful memory!!!
Oh, the Places We See
I remember it well. Right down to the warm bite of bread! Soooo glad you asked me to go. It was one of my best trips ever!!!
dawnkinster
Nothing better than making and sharing bread! Lovely images!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Dawn. I’ll never be able to re-create an experience like this one at home!