Tea & Cookies.
When we arrived at our riads in Morocco, we were warmly greeted with steaming hot mint tea and plates of cookies in the salon or courtyard. It is a deep-rooted gesture of welcome… and delicious.
While this tradition is practical — it gives you something to do while the proprietor gathers your passport information — it has a much more important purpose. It calms the travel buzz and gets you in the Moroccan mood. This is not a time to be antsy to get on to your room; relax, enjoy it, and allow the proprietor to give you a bit of history and orientation. It is a moment not be missed or wasted.
Almond-based cookies are what we encountered most often, sometimes with sesame seeds or other nuts and fruits, and — as are the Ghoriba in today’s recipe — scented with orange blossom water. This is the flavor that, to me, makes them distinctly Moroccan.
My favorite of the cookies we had were also filled with almond paste scented with orange blossom water — cornes de gazelle (gazelle horns). I hope to post these eventually, as they are so beautiful, especially when nicely decorated. But I need to work all that out first! In the meantime, you will love these simple fragrant cookies.
~ David
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Susan Manfull
August 12, 2023 at 4:33 amYour photographs capture these cookies and the feel of being in Morocco well — I can almost smell them. Having made them already — with your recipe — I know they are terrific and easy to make!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 12, 2023 at 6:12 pmThank you, Susan – don’t you wish that we were still there?
Carolyne
August 12, 2023 at 6:04 amThose would be perfect with mint tea, coffee or, of course cocoa. 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
August 12, 2023 at 6:11 pmYes, yes, and yes! Thanks, Carolyne.
Mad Dog
August 12, 2023 at 6:17 amFabulous – I love almonds! THat’s a beautiful plate you;ve got them sitting on – it looks hand made.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 12, 2023 at 6:10 pmThanks, Mad Dog – yes, the plate is handmade in Morocco – I thought it fitting for these cookies! I’m a big almond fan, too.
Mimi Rippee
August 12, 2023 at 7:29 amOh I bet these are good! Beautiful photos.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 12, 2023 at 6:09 pmThey are really good! Thanks for the compliment on the photos!
angiesrecipes
August 12, 2023 at 10:06 amThey look absolutely wonderful and I love that they are naturally gluten free.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 12, 2023 at 6:07 pmI love naturally gluten-free desserts, too, Angie!
Colette
August 12, 2023 at 10:39 amI’m making these TOday!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 12, 2023 at 6:07 pmI know you will love them! Let me know!
Eha
August 12, 2023 at 4:03 pmAn as yet untried temptation from Moroccan shores I want to make my own – would love to have the plate as well 🙂 !
Cocoa & Lavender
August 12, 2023 at 6:07 pmThere will be so many temptations when you get to Morocco – culinary and ceramic!
Frank | Memorie di Angelina
August 13, 2023 at 4:50 amAbsolutely gorgeous little morsels, these. They sound so tasty and I love the little cracks that form in their surface. Somehow they make them look all the more appetizing.
And needless to say I’m anxiously awaiting the gazelle horns, which sound out of this world. Anything with almond paste!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 17, 2023 at 11:44 amI will start working on the gazelle horns right away! I have been watching many videos so that I can decorate mine appropriately.
These are really good — they have already become a favorite of so many friends and readers! I even think non-dessert people, like yourself, will love them.
Jeff the Chef
August 13, 2023 at 6:16 amWhat gorgeous cookies, and what a nice tradition. I’ve never been to Morocco, so I’ll just have to experience it through your eyes.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 17, 2023 at 11:45 amI do love the tradition, Jeff. I think here in the states. hospitality like that is only for the rich. But in Morocco, we see it is for everyone. Warmth and generosity are the trademarks of the country.
Ronit Penso
August 13, 2023 at 10:18 amThese look so tasty, and I’m sure the aroma was wonderful while baking. Definite my kind of cookies! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
August 17, 2023 at 11:46 amI think they are wonderful any time of day. One friend likes them with coffee in the morning, another dipped in wine at night!
Velva
August 16, 2023 at 1:12 pmDavid, I would be all over these cookies (laugh). They are gorgeous and I am positive delicious. A good Turkish coffee, or lovely cup of mint tea would be divine with a couple of your cookies.
You are so right, it’s important to take in the hospitality, the warmth and generosity of the moment. We Americans get way too antsy, and miss out life’s little pleasures.
Velva
Cocoa & Lavender
August 17, 2023 at 11:48 amI know you will love these, Velva — they are just a perfect little bite.
I think I need to write more about slow travel in the same way slow food has taken on. You are so right — there is no pleasure for us in the moment. We are always chomping at the bit for the next thing and the next thing!
Raymund
August 17, 2023 at 2:46 pmThis cookie captures the essence of Morocco, scented with orange blossom water and almond flour served with steaming hot mint tea creates a sense of comfort and immersion into the local culture
Cocoa & Lavender
August 19, 2023 at 9:29 amHave you cooked much with orange blossom water? It adds such a lovely essence to dishes!
Valentina
August 18, 2023 at 2:06 pmWhat a delicious recipe. I love welcoming people with cookies , but I love it even more when I’m welcomed with them. These look special. 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
August 19, 2023 at 9:31 amI love a welcome cookie, too! Since coming home from Morocco, I have decided to greet our guests with cookies and tea or cocoa!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
August 19, 2023 at 12:41 pmDavid, gorgeous photos! I would happily enjoy being welcomed with mint tea and these delightful cookies in Morocco. But here at home, I’ll enjoy them with black tea. Beautiful plate! I’ve always thought kitchen things make the best souvenirs.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 19, 2023 at 2:55 pmThank you, Jean. Glad you like the photos — they were fun to set up. One thing I think you would love about these cookies is that they are not too sweet! I do love collecting little things when I travel!
sherry
August 21, 2023 at 6:01 pmI do love using nut meals in baking esp. hazelnut, tho almond is great too. These look so delightful David.
David Scott Allen
August 22, 2023 at 1:09 pmThanks, Sherry. Nut-based cookies are really wonderful! And Hazelnuts are at the top of my list, too.
Christina Conte
August 23, 2023 at 9:17 pmThese sound and look fabulous, David! What a lovely treat to be welcomed with! I’m so inspired by your entire Morocco trip and cannot wait to visit myself! Off to Europe again first (won’t me commenting here for quite a while, but will catch up when I return). 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
August 27, 2023 at 7:51 amHave a wonderful trip, Christina! Yes, we have a hard time managing all our travel wishes, too. France for us next year!
Marcelle
August 24, 2023 at 9:00 amI told the kids I would make them cookies today!! Well… I just checked and I have everything to make these. 🙂 These cookies look light and tasty, will definitely be perfect with a cup of coffee or tea later today 🍵 Thanks for sharing the recipe, I alway enjoy your travel-inspired recipes, David!!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 27, 2023 at 7:49 amAw, thanks Marcelle. I think that is the most fun part of travel – trying different foods and then bringing back recipes. I hope you and the kids enjoyed them!
2pots2cook
August 30, 2023 at 2:00 amAfter all the photos we’ve seen, this recipe brings us to higher level. So inviting…… I use orange blossom water in batter for cakes and it really makes any dessert so special……..
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2023 at 9:12 amOrange blossom water is something I’ve kept in my cabinet for decades — we even add it to our homemade gin!
Lisa Harper
September 2, 2023 at 10:35 amHi David:
I am having your friend and my former college roommate Kristie Miller for mint tea this afternoon. I am making your ghoriba, which are perfect for her because of her dietary restrictions., Will let you know how they come out.
Cocoa & Lavender
September 2, 2023 at 2:34 pmLisa — I really hope you and Kristie enjoy these! Please give her a big hug from me!