Ah, what poor camel gave its life so that I may wander in the desert...
At the end of a long day, I propped my feet up my desk and admired the camel leather sandal I got from Marrakech last autumn. I remembered the fine art of haggling and theatrics with the vendor who eventually sold it to me for 40 dirhams. (A dramatic exchange worthy of an acting award. If you don't know what I mean, try doing the ukay-ukay.)
I was amused that I could wear such sandals in April....in England. Ah, I love the smell of global warming in the muggy afternoon.
I suddenly had an overpowering food craving. And there is no greater power than a food craving. I wanted to eat Orange Chicken Tagine.
I don't know the recipe but summoning my pornographic memory, I recalled what those fine ingredients were that kissed my lips and caused me to convulse in ecstasy one fine day in Marrakech.
I went off to the grocers to recreate tonight's culinary masterpiece....
Oranges, cumin seeds, couscous, dates, olives, chili (my preference), onions....the butter is mainly for another purpose, I'm planning to reprise Brando's role in Last Tango in Paris, but it's good added to olive oil for sauteeing the chicken.
...at home I had turmeric, cinnamon bark, black pepper....His Royal Orangeness Karl Willem and PA/PR Gromit who were with me in Morocco inspect the ingredients. Orange juice must be freshly squeezed and save two to make orange wedges.
Basic cooking skills follow. Saute the spices and let them get to know each other. Add the chicken pieces seared earlier and simmer in chicken stock and orange juice.
..plonk in the dates, olives, and orange wedges. I didn't have a tagine or large oven bowl so I had to slow cook them for over an hour on a normal hob. I went away to let the ingredients enjoy their orgy...
HRO Karl Willem and PA/PR Gromit were impressed!
My first attempt needs refinement but it was excellent!
Gawd, when you are this good, it's really hard to be modest.
I can do more flavourful things with my cock than just adobo or tinola. Why don't you come over and I can give you a mouthful.....