Tapenade

When life gives you olives . . .

Having had our fair share of meals at Port XIV in Assilah, we have also consumed WAY more than our fair share of their signature tapenade that gets put on your table with a flourish as you settle in to decide what to order. 

So we thought we would, in collaboration with Port XIV and their head chef Youssef,

show you how to transform

these . . . 

Into this.

There are a few subtle variations  to the traditional tapenade, but that is kind of the point.

 We are in Morocco after all!

so to your 1/2 kilo of black olives

add: 

1 teaspoon of cumin 

  1/2 teaspoon oregano

        2 teaspoons of olive oil - preferably from your own trees!

        1 teaspoon of fresh coriander chopped

        1/2 teaspoon of harissa 

The rest is simple - mix it all together and blend.

Then a bit of fresh bread, a glass of wine . . . .
Perfect.

Luckily, I don't have to don an apron to make any for a while as we were given this lovely jarful of the results of this recipe to bring home.

I will confess that there is already considerably less tapenade in above jar after 24 hours chez Brettell!

Thanks to Port XIV & Chef Youssef for sharing their recipe.

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Berbari

Berbari is a country house, maison d'hote, restaurant, retreat. . . nestled in a quiet corner of the Moroccan countryside, not far from the town of Assilah. It fits perfectly into its surroundings - so much so that the storks have made it their annual residence!

For me Berbari is about paths and doorways, interesting corners and quiet spaces.

The organic bamboo work as you come through the entrance is almost sculptural

Doorways entice you to open them and explore.

Moroccan-blue paths begged to be followed.

And at the end of a path is often a corner that you know is the perfect place to read your book while settling into a slower pace of life.

Decorative details are often in unexpected spaces,

while every bedroom is different, individual and inviting.

The salon looks out over the countryside - even if you are not staying overnight, phone ahead and make a reservation for lunch - we did and it was delicious!

A little vintage piano detail.

At the end of the day - the hammock calls! 

And as the sunsets over the Berbari . . . 

the evening light throws up shadows that add a little mystery to the tranquility.

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