Sirocco

Published by Random House (NZ) Ltd, 2002
(out of print)

A wickedly funny, evocative, delicious travel book exploring the cuisine of Morocco and its influences on Portugal and Andalusia. Like the wind the book is named after, ideas, tastes and traditions blew up into Spain and beyond from North Africa, carrying in spices and delicate flavour combinations. Peta follows that trail and searches out the essence of Moroccan cuisine, learning how to make such local delicacies as warka (a filo-like pastry), bastila (pigeon and almond pie), couscous and malawi (a fried pastry/bread dish that is eaten warm with honey or jam). Always ready to throw herself into local life, Peta stays with families and gets into their kitchens, sharing their feasts and rituals of tea drinking, Arab-style massages at hammams, and having your feet painted with henna. Come and sample with her such delights as lamb tagine with prunes and almonds or orange water in milk and follow her journey north through Portugal and Andalusia.

Available from mightape.co.nz