A Day with Khadiga


Today we honor our chef, teacher and newfound friend, Khadiga. She has worked with Mohamed for years and offers language lessons to Moroccans and English-speakers alike, but her real gift is her cooking. Since we are staying at a guest house and only have breakfast, Mohamed set up for us to have lunch and dinner each day at Khadiga’s. We have a 10 minute walk up the hill through the neighborhood, to Khadiga’s home on the third floor overlooking a school. Her sweet daughters and niece are there to greet us each time. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1HiFKx2oeRYqLfIf7DkjJM7fz3olja1XJ

We begin each meal with fresh juice, then have a three course meal. Khadiga has taught us so much about Moroccan food. We love the fresh, balanced meals we have and the combinations of ingredients she concocts into delicious dishes. We also have amazing conversations about women’s issues, food, families, education and more. After lunch, we have siesta time to escape the heat outside. Most Moroccan homes have a guest living room that only guests are allowed, then a separate living room for the family. The guest room is a spacious room with traditional Moroccan couches on the perimeters so there is ample space for us to spread out. During siesta, we nap, read, catch up on news, play card games or color, but mostly just wait for the heat of the day to pass, enjoying the quiet time and conversation while the fan pans around the room. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1lbkIo-DUOvmhuUADfdWcFtaqpekaTX0x

Today we had our much-anticipated cooking class. It was so hard to decide which dishes to create with her, but we decided on briwat “little envelopes” somewhat like samosas, stuffed eggplant with kefta (seasoned beef) and seffa, a sweet pasta dish with raisins. And of course traditional Moroccan mint tea. Tonight, when the heat passed, we had dinner on the rooftop terrance and enjoyed the sunset view. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1V9nvyeBEezVVakKLMje4qRsg8Nzzl8K3

After dinner, when when everyone goes out to shop and socialize, Khadiga and her daughters often walk with us. Last night we did some shopping for clothes, souvenirs and ice cream. She knows all the best shops. We talk and walk and enjoy our evening together. Our time with Khadiga and her family has been some of our favorite moments and we will miss her. 

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