Moroccan Shrimp With Potatoes, Tomatoes And Olives

Moroccan cooking is a blend of many different cultures. It is a mix of the indigenous Berbers, the nomadic Bedouins, the Moors who were expelled from Spain, the Sephardic Jews, the Arabs, the Ottoman Empire, and the French. With all of these delicious cultures contributing, you know the food is going to be amazing. Each culture contributed something and each of these cooking traditions were thrown into the pot and stirred and simmered until the recipes were perfected.

The Berbers brought their traditions of tagines and couscous. The Bedouins added dates, milk and grains from all their travels. The Moors contributed flavors from Spain and Andalusia, such as olives, olive oil, paprika and herbs. The Sephardic Jews taught the ways of preserving with salt. The Arabs introduced the Middle Eastern cuisines. Making pastries and kebabs were gifted from the Ottoman Empire. And finally, it was the French who put everything together with finesse. Mix it all together, and the result is some fabulously delicious foods from Morocco.

A tagine is both a type of cooking vessel that is a shallow, round earthenware pot with a unique conical lid that is used to lock in the moisture and flavors of the foods while they are cooking, as well as type of dish. A tagine dish is a dish of tender meats or fish cooked with vegetables and simmered over a low heat to perfection in a buttery herb sauce, often with honey, chilies and/or fruits as well.

Recently, I took us on a Moroccan culinary tour with a tagine made with shrimp, tomatoes, potatoes and olives. Not only did I incorporate all the above influences, but I also added my own influences as well. I know. Surprise, surprise! It was most definitely a big hit, and I will definitely be making it again soon. 🙂

I served my shrimp tagine over pearled couscous with my rosemary focaccia Rosemary Focaccia and a glass or two of cool, crisp chardonnay on the side.

Before making my shrimp tagine, I made a chermoula sauce. Chermoula is a traditional Moroccan sauce used in fish dishes. It’s made from chilies, cumin and cilantro.

Chermoula Sauce

1 TBSP garlic

1 tsp salt

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp allspice

1 tsp Aleppo chilies, optional

1 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste

2 TBSP lemon juice

2 TBSP olive oil

1 TBSP lemon olive oil, optional

1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, or both

You can make it in the traditional way with a mortar and pestle or the modern way by putting it all in the food processor. I chose the food processing method.

Marinate the shrimp in some of the Chermoula sauce for about 30 minutes, and save the rest for later.

Shrimp Tagine

You can use this same recipe for any kind of white fish you like. But, it went very well with shrimp as well.

2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1-1 1/2 lbs small new potaotes, cut in half

olive oil and butter for cooking

lemon olive oil, optional

1 TBSP garlic

12-16 cherry tomatoes

1 yellow or orange bell pepper, cut into matchsticks

salt & pepper to taste

1/3 cup mixed olives

1-2 TBSP lemon juice

1 can artichoke hearts, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup Peruvian peppers, optional

Place the potatoes in water and bring to a rapid boil and boil for about 8 minutes, then drain and rinse.

Heat the olive oil(s) and butter and stir in the garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, then add the tomatoes and cook for an additional minute or so.

Add the bell peppers, and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until they start to soften, then add the artichoke hearts, olives, potatoes and Peruvian peppers, as well as the rest of the Chermoula sauce and the shrimp.

Mix everything together well, and continue to cook for about 5 or so minutes , or until the shrimp is completely cooked and everything is heated. Cook at a medium-low heat.

Spoon it all over some cooked couscous, serve with some warmed bread and enjoy. Bon Appetit! This is a delicious shrimp stew that is full of flavor and traditions. The flavors are all layered to really enhance the flavors of all the ingredients. They come together perfectly.

Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay well and stay safe. ‘Til next time.