The celebration of the feast...

Within the ten person home of my host family, we typically sit on leather custions round the low table. The men are led to the salon, whilst the women prepare the presentation of the meal. The women parade into the salon hoisting with them an elaborate silver serving set, warm towels, and kettles of cold water, so that the men of the house could rinse their hands before eating. The food is eaten with fingers only: the first three fingers of the right hand may be used - or, rather the thumb and the first two fingers. After the meal, the silver is presented and passed again, this time accompanied by soap. You cannot tear into a plump lamb carefully wrapped in boiling tomato pulp, and share it with your neighbours, unless they are scrupulously washed. Underneath the almost transparent, flaky layers of pastry are delicious surprises in the form of tasty morsels of chicken, vegetables, couscous, and meat of all kinds. The meals are as complex as the six or so hours it takes to prepare them. In fact, the dinner is already being staged as I write, and it's once again time to experience the hallmark of Moroccan cuisine.