We purchased a decorative tajine during our trip to Morocco, but it was too small to use for actual cooking. Since we really wanted to try and recreate some of the meals that we ate, we ended up buying a full size tajine and have used it several times. We made our version of a Moroccan beef with sweet potatoes that had a nice spice and made for a wonderful meal. Although we cooked it in a tajine, a Dutch oven works just fine as well. The meat was very tender and the spices were warm and fragrant, but not spicy. It was an easy dish to make for a weeknight meal for the two of us, but could easily be done for a larger gathering as well.
Tajines and Dishes for Sale in Morocco
INGREDIENTS
1 lb Beef Shoulder Roast – cut into 1 inch cubes
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/8 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
2 Shallots – quartered
2 Garlic Cloves – thinly sliced
1/2 cup Chicken Broth
1 can (14.5 oz) Diced Tomatoes – undrained
1 Large Sweet Potato – peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
Brown the Beef with the Shallots
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine the paprika, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Toss the beef cubes with the spice mixture being sure that each piece is evenly coated. Heat a skillet to medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Add the shallots and beef and cook for about 4 minutes until the beef is browned on all sides. Add the garlic and cook for another minute and then transfer the beef, shallots, and garlic to the tajine including all of the pan drippings (if using a Dutch oven, the beef can be browned in the Dutch oven). Add the sweet potato, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes to the tajine and stir to combine all of the ingredients. Place the lid on the tajine an place in the center of a pre-heated oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about an hour and a half or until the potatoes are fork tender. Serve as a stew or over a bed of rice.
Moroccan Beef with Sweet PotatoesCoat the MeatCombine the IngredientsCook Until the Potatoes are TenderThe Finished MealFinal ServingLunch at a Moroccan Restaurant
One of the things that we truly enjoyed when we visited Egypt was taking time to tour Old Cairo, also known as Coptic Cairo. We actually visited the area on two separate days, one focusing on the historic churches and synagogues and the second focusing on Islamic Cairo. The juxtaposition of the two was really fascinating. As with many locations in the Middle East, the area has historic references that are important to many different religions with a history that goes back thousands of years. We visited with two different Egyptologists during our time there, which was also interesting as they both provided a different perspective on the history and the culture of the area. These are some of our favorite memories of our time in Old Cairo.
Inside of the Mosque and Madrassa of the Sultan HasanEntrance to the Mosque
Mosque and Madrassa of the Sultan Hasan – We wouldn’t recommend visiting without a guide unless you are familiar Sunni Islam, the history of Cairo , and the influences of the surrounding countries. Also, it is not currently a working mosque, so without someone to provide clarity on the features, it might not be as easily understood. We learned about the four wings of the Madrassa, which are Muslim schools, that were located on the site. We also visited the Mosque of Al_Rifai, which is located right next door and is equally as interesting as the Mosque and Madrassa of the Sultan Hasan.
Cavern Where the Holy Family Stayed View of the Church
Abu Serga Church – Also known as the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church as well as the Cavern Church, the Abu Serga Church is an important historical and religious landmark in Cairo, Egypt. The church is supposed to be built on the spot where Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. The reason it is known as the cave church is because the church is built around the cave where the Holy Family rested and you are able to descend down to see the cave when you tour the church. The church is dedicated to Sergius and Bacchus who were soldiers in the 4th century that were killed by the Roman Emperor Maximian and achieved martyrdom and sainthood. Two other sites that are located nearby are Ben Ezra, the oldest synagogue in Cairo as well as the Hanging Church, which should also be visited when touring the area.
Ancient Babylon FortressFortress Wall
The Babylon Fortress – There are many reasons to visit the section of Cairo known as Coptic Cairo and seeing the ancient Babylon Fortress is certainly one of them. The fortress originally sat on the banks of the Nile, long before the dams in Aswan were built to control the water levels of the river. At the time that it was constructed, some time around 500 BC, it served as the boundary between Lower and Middle Egypt and was the location where boats paid tolls to either ascend or descend the Nile.
Coffee House in a MarketMany, Many Items for Sale
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar – Visiting markets wherever you visit is certainly worthwhile, but there is something very special about the bazaars in the middle east. Khan el-Khalili Bazaar in the Old Town Center of Cairo, Egypt, also known as Old Cairo, is certainly one of them. They can be quite busy and you need to be aware of your circumstances to avoid pickpockets or those who might want to take advantage of you. In most bazaars it is usually customary to bargain over the prices and the vendors don’t take offense to it. In fact, to get the best price, you might even start to walk away before the vendor offers a lower price that seems reasonable to you. Haggling, though, does not mean offering a ridiculously low price that might be viewed as an insult.
Courtyard of Historic Ottoman HouseSitting in the House
Bayt Al-Suhaymi – If you are looking for something of a hidden gem while visiting Cairo, then we would suggest putting Bayt Al-Suhaymi on your list of places to visit. On our final day in Cairo, we made a last minute decision to book an “Islamic Cairo” tour through our hotel and we were certainly not disappointed. We saw several ancient mosques, but just as interesting was wandering the narrow streets of the Old City of Cairo. Just wandering the streets is quite exhilarating, but the highlight was taking a tour of an Ottoman era house that was built in 1648 and is in excellent condition as it was refurbished in 1997 as part of restoration project for the entire area.
Stairs Leading to the ChurchDifferent Angle of the Dome of the Church in Cairo
Church of St. George – The Church of St. George is a Greek Orthodox church that dates back to the 10th century, although the current church buildings were built in 1909 after being destroyed in a fire in 1904. Sitting on top of a hill with a steep set of stairs, the architecture of the church is definitely interesting and impressive. As you approach the church, there is no doubt as to who it is dedicated as there are several murals with images of St. George defeating the dragon, including the large relief on the front of the church itself. The church tower also has a wind-vane that features a dragon that hovers over the church. The church itself is a round building with a large dome over the center, which is quite stunning and dramatic.
If you have any questions about the places we visited above, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
There are so many amazing things to see when visiting Egypt and the famous Pyramids of Giza are probably the most famous. Everyone has seen pictures of the Great Pyramid with the enormous Sphinx statue, but there is more to see than just the pyramid complex of Giza. If you travel to Cairo, we’d highly recommend taking a tour that will take you to some of the lesser visited pyramids where you will have an opportunity to see some of these amazing archeological sites as if you had discovered them yourself.
Step PyramidAncient DoorwayHieroglyphs in the Tomb Chamber
The Pyramid of Djoser – Located in the Saqqara Necropolis, the Pyramid of Djoser, more commonly referred to as the Step Pyramid, is an ancient pyramid that uses a technique that predated the smooth sided pyramids that you find in Giza. The Step Pyramid was built around the 27th century BC and is considered the earliest large cut-stone in the world. We were able to descend down the tunnel that leads to an ancient tomb, which is just an empty chamber with hieroglyphs today, which was an amazing experience.
The Bent Pyramid (If You Look Carefully, There is a Person at the Base Giving You a Sense of the Size)Tunnel Entrance to the TombBrisk Climb to the Entrance of a Pyramid in Egypt
The Pyramids of Dahshur – Visiting Dahshur was probably one of our most interesting experiences during our time in Cairo. First of all, we were virtually by ourselves as we walked around the pyramids as there were less than a dozen total other visitors there during the time that we spent there. Also, since it is the site of the first smooth sided pyramids, one successful and a couple of others that weren’t successful, it is an interesting look into the learning that occurred by the ancient Egyptians to create what would later become the Great Pyramids. One of the pyramids is known as the Bent Pyramid as it curves as it nears the peak of the pyramid. Dahshur is located in a remote area of the desert, which was purposeful as they wanted the pyramids to be away from any well-traveled area. We were also able to climb down into the pyramid here as well, which is well worth the effort.
The Giza Plateau in EgyptThe Great Sphinx Looking Up at the Great Pyramid
The Giza Pyramid Complex – If you visit the pyramids sequentially, starting with the Step Pyramid in Saqqara, then seeing the Bent Pyramid in Dahshur, and then making your way to the Giza Pyramid Complex, you will have a better understanding of the accomplishment of building these pyramids. Here, of course, you will be surrounded by tourists, vendors selling trinkets, and enjoying tourist activities like riding a camel. Having visited the other pyramids prior to visiting Giza made our entire experience better as we truly understood the history behind the pyramids.
