A Crusty Avocado Tart
in the gardens of “Maisons Des Reves” Dar Ahlam, Ouarzazete, Morocco
It’s Tart Tuesday!
(see what I did there?)
This was one of the most delicious dishes we ate inhaled during our entire holiday in Morocco.
The combination of melty, yet slightly grainy short crust pastry, creamy fresh avocado filling and crunchy baby lettuce & pomegranate seeds was positively dreamy.
So, Yay! Who’s your Mama?? I got the recipe and I’m sharing it with youse guys.
It took literally every ounce of will power (and the fact that I wasn’t alone) to not ask for a second tart.
Serve with some freshly toasted french bread, chilled white wine
(do not look at that Coke-it’s a mirage-we were in the desert)
and you’ll feel like you are …
HERE
ZZzzzzzzz….
Until tomorrow.
~
All photos Slim Paley, recipe filched from “Maison Des Reves”*
*Proper props will be proffered in an upcoming post. Promise.
)
We departed from our hotel located in the outskirts of the city of Ouarzazete by helicopter
a 50 minute journey over epic scenery
which we loved…albeit ever vigilant for potential emergency landing spots (see it?!)
Incredible to see how specks of verdant green popped up occasionally
and the lengths some people will go to to ‘unplug’
While it’s true that my friend and I did ever so slightly miss the presence of Ralph…
The hotel camp had us covered!
The tents were amazing
Crisp white sheets, hot water bottles and a private loo. You can just imagine my happiness.
More Happiness
Slim Sandy
‘The desert could not be claimed or owned—it was a piece of cloth carried by winds, never held down by stones’
Tagine served from a huge earthenware pot
What we listened to under the canopy of a billion stars?
Dawn in the desert
A peacefulness one can’t describe
Strike a pose
John Singer Sargent’s Bedouins
Bedouin Breakfast
no problem for my ever resourceful, quick thinking friend who manages to eat breakfast, play DJ and start a new style trend at the same time.
“Ralph…Ralph…We’re here for you…”
The John Singer Sargent exhibition at the 
Where behind every gently wafting silken drape…
another gasp awaits
The attention to detail at Royal Mansour knows NO bounds
It’s how you spell luxe and then some.
One could wear the newest Dior dress I love so much and not feel overdressed.
“Le Bar” to end all bars
with walls panelled in reverse glass rose gold leaf
Photos do not capture the depth and beauty of the rose gold panels.
Are you getting the idea yet??!
The chandelier in the interior courtyard
We enjoyed a cocktail or two here in quiet awe, just listening to the birdsong, the tinkling of ice cubes and the heavy rustling of palm fronds in the wind.
“La Grande Table Marocaine” restaurant, with blue marble floors, is presided over by celebrated French chef Yannick Alleno.
I would probably choose this little number from Armani Spring 2013 should I be so lucky as to dine here.
Cool marble, embroidered water-silk taffeta, feathers & inlaid rosewood…cuhraazy
I don’t even know how to begin to explain the coffered ceiling in the “Chimney Lounge”
The Chimney Lounge, so named for the transparent glass fireplace that allows you to gaze upon the gardens through the flames while sipping your cognac.
Photo via Royal Mansour
Hand tooled leather walls
and rugs.
“La Grande Table Francaise” Royal Mansour’s French restaurant preparing for the evening.
A gecko candle holder, one of many crystal creatures crawling across the walls of the restaurant.
As dusk descends (yes, we stayed that long!) the hotel becomes even more magical
Seriously. Joan Collins on safari.
Luckily, the locals barely bat an eye (though as you can see, I’m walking 20 paces behind, carrying a big bag of mortification)
Needless to say, I get more comfortable with the concept in a day or two.
The souk is every bit the cacaphonic (poetic license) symphony of sounds, sights & smells I had expected.
But although wildly animated, the market never really felt overwhelming.
A rare peaceful moment-Friday afternoon when most of the dealers are attending Mosque.
And what’s a trip to Morocco without a little rug shopping?!
We took Maryam’s advice and walked out into the main square of the medina on our last night in Marrakech to experience the party that apparently happens every night!
What’s really great? For the most part the revellers are the local Moroccans who obviously know how to have a good time.
Fresh escargot anyone?
Here, a rowdy and obviously popular game of fishing for soda bottles.
And here, pretty much anything to cure what ails you.
The journey takes the better part of 5 1/2 hours and turns out to be one of the highlights of our trip to Morocco.
We pass through the most amazingly diverse terrain
Traffic is wild
With nary a dull moment
Yes. We found a store.
Happiness!
The salesperson’s hands
Just in case you were wondering.
Coming down the other side of the mountains we detour to Telouet to stop for a delicious lunch
and to tour the incredible ruins of Telouet Kasbah, where the likes of General Patton and Churchill were received back in the day.
Only the storks call it home now but restoration is slowly underway.
Our extremely knowledgable guide.
Examples of two astonishing archways
and a ceiling in one of the grand salons
Up on the roof, storm clouds roll in upon lusty winds
and our “Talitha Getty” photo shoot is foiled (for now 
Getting closer to our destination, the villages hugging the water’s edge become chameleons against the rocks.
Only the satellite dishes give them away
One last ruined kasbah glows in the gorgeous setting sun
