I neeeeed an MTL App!

you know …

a Moroccan Tolerance Level App…

one that people can download to their iPhones

for free..

Yesterday if I had such an APP

many many things could have just

been

avoided!!

It started with an order that I had to do for one of my favorite clients…

Something that I had ordered for them specifically…

came in all wrong!

I KNEW they were not going to be too happy…well

if they had an MTL App..

it would have told them…

this half Moroccan chic…was pretty upset for them already that morn!

when she called calmly to complain unsuccessfully to her deaf vendor…

my Moroccan Tolerance level needle was starting to inch up to the danger zone.

then my Tunie B. had a…

freaking out about wearing a HAT on top of her “piptails”

for 15 minutes I tried to convince her….. (it was 30 outside & she JUST got over an earache!)

“NO…you “piptails” will not be cut off if I put the hat on!”

lets just say I won the that battle….but the Tunie B….her war still was a raging….

Now if I had the MTL App…I would have known

with just one click….

My Moroccan Tolerance level needle heading out the door…

was just

this close…

to the

red danger line ….

I might have had a shot of something before I left the door!

But NO!

an MTL app is currently unavailable at my iTunes store!

So when I was on the bus heading to NYC for work with Tunie B in tow…

(because of course why should her winter break …

coincide with mine?)

our 15 minute…tiff

well…we missed our first bus…

MTL App level would have read…right on the red line.

So if the bus driver would have had his OWN MTL app

he would have easily & with out a doubt have known..

with one click…

that….

please don’t tell THIS mother with her already cranky pants kid

“NO EATING ON THE BUS!” …

huh? since when?!!

now I abide by the rules…I try not to argue…

but …really bus driver?

better to have a an already unhappy kid…

screaming for 20 minutes on top of her crying lungs…

“I WANT MY LEBEN!”….

than chance a spill on your “clean” bus!!!

My MTL needle started to creep its way into the RED ZONE!

Now any other full blooded Moroccan would have set off the WARNING button on that

bus drivers MTL APP….

but my half Ashkanazi blood kept things in check…

but I did not know how close to danger I really was….I had NO MTL APP!

So instead of being late to work and stopping at the nearest Starbux

to soothe my Moroccan nerves with a VENTI CHAI TEA LATTE WITH EXTRA EXTA WHIP…

I got in to a cab….and was 1 minute early to my job. (yes with Tunie B. still in tow!)

Now I can not entirely fault my co-workers….

they too are not

able to download an MTL app from their iTunes library selection…

So how could they possibly know…

that pulling me into a…

private corner….

before I even got my coat off…

was going to ….

set my MTL needle spinning….

and ultimately….

let’s just say….

never BLATANTLY LIE or try to “patronize” a Moroccan ….

normally she will tell it to you calmly and straight….that those things are just not going to fly…

but when her MTL needle is running hot in the fire zone….

well….she will sorta….EXPLODE!

& sorta…regretfully I did.

thankfully…all is good now.

I took my Tunie B. to eat

& we had waffles with whip for dinner!

piptais, vendors, buses, leben, patronizers….all melted into oblivion with each HIGH CALORIE BITE!

But if Only I HAD that MTL app…

I needed that MTL app…

I would have had…

a much much better day!

anyone know how to make such an app?

Moroccan Vegetable Couscous (with Lamb)

This recipe comes from my Father’s mother – my MEME (grandmother).  She would never need an MTL app – she is a lady to her core…Moroccan or not. (darn I didn’t get her disposition!)

Her couscous, made from scratch not an instant package in sight, was one of the most savory and delicious dishes that I have ever eaten. It is the quintessential Moroccan dish, and my ULTIMATE favorite thing to have. It was made for every Holiday & Special occasion. It is my comfort food, and I make it when I need to just feel good and have something absolutely delicious and warm to eat for dinner.

From the perfectly cooked chickpeas, the buttery pumpkin, to the sweet hot raisins popping in your mouth with every bite this side dish was more than just an accompaniment to her dreamy tasting lamb. It was a M-E-A-L of pure-mouth-watering bliss!

Make it with or with out the lamb, you will not be disappointed. Feel free to substitute your lamb with chicken or beef.

Tips: in a real pinch I have used canned chickpeas –the dish was tasty – BUT not the same when I used real chickpeas.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup dried chickpeas, that have been soaked overnight
• 4 large yellow onions, quartered and sliced
• Kosher salt to taste
• Fresh Black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• ½ tsp. ground turmeric
• 4 -5 strands of saffron crushed
• 2 tbsp. Margarine
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1-2lbs lamb (you can use baby lamb chops,  lamb neck or shoulder cut into pieces)
• 1 ½ lbs instant couscous
• 1 lb carrots, chopped
• 2 large zucchinis, chopped
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 1/3 cups dark raisins
• 1 ½ lbs of butternut squash, cut into cubes
• 1 tbsp. melted margarine
• 1 tsp. ground thyme
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ cup toasted almond slivers

Directions:

In a large Dutch oven, cook the onions, salt, pepper, ginger, turmeric, saffron, margarine and olive oil. Mix the onions with a wooden spoon, and cover and cook on medium-low for  about 10-12 minutes until the onions have softened.

Once they have softened, uncover onions and let them cook until they have turned golden. Add the lamb and pan sear on all sides. Add 8 cups of water and bring to a boil, then cover and simmer  over medium –high heat for about 2 hours.

After 2 hours add the chickpeas, carrots, zucchini, butternut squash, sugar, raisins and cook for another 30 -35 minutes.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

In a large bowl toss your warm couscous with the melted margarine, thyme, & cinnamon.

To Serve: Spread out the couscous onto the plate and ladle heaping piles of cooked lamb with a little of its broth and vegetables on top. Garnish with lots of toasted slivered almonds.

MAKING ONLY THE VEGETABLE COUSCOUS Tip: if you just want to make the vegetable part of this couscous dish. Toss all your vegetables including the rasins in a large bowl with olive oil, and all the spices (saffron, thyme, salt, pepper, ginger & turmeric and the sugar). Lay them out on a well-oiled cookie tray and roast in oven on about 325 for 40-45 minutes.  Serve them on top of couscous for a great side dish.

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