Because of Lars, I now have what I need to delve into the world of Moroccan cooking! He sent me a really lovely cookbook titled "Cooking at the Kasbah. I have only paged through it so far, but there is a lot of good information about Morocco and some very scrumptious sounding recipes!

Item number two is a huge jar of Lars' own Zhatar spice blend. I have been curious about Zhatar since I sent some to my Lebanese-born future son-in-law last Christmas. Now I will get a chance to try it! It smells heavenly!

I saved the best for last. Lars found the most gorgeous serving bowl that was made in Tunisia! Words cannot describe how beautiful this bowl is. And he included a matching serving spoon to go with it. I love this so much, I am tempted to just set it on my table as a centerpiece! LOL

Here is a photo of all three of my swap items, and the lovely letter that Lars sent along which includes his Algerian Chicken Recipe which I am going to try this week!

Lars, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your selections are perfect and I will think of you every time I use them!

Linda

Ann

The package started with the bowl and matching spoon - at least that was the first item I chose for you, even though I had seen the book earlier at the same store, and it did catch my eye. When I got the bowl, I felt that it would just be appropriate to get the book to accompany it, and then I wanted to make some spice mix to make it easier to get into Moroccan cooking mode. There are a lot of recipes for Za'atar, and the one I used is basically from the African cookbook that Lee sent me as a present (surcie) some time ago. It is very common in Middle Eastern cooking, but it is also popular in North Africa. In Lebanon, they generally add cumin to it, which I omitted, because it is not African, but you can always add that when you want to make it more Lebanese.

Algeria is between Morocco and Tunisia (which is close to Sicily), which is why I included the Algerian recipe. I love North African food, and I would expect that Tunisian food is probably similar to Algerian or Moroccan, although Algerian is quite different from Moroccan.

I only thumbed through the cookbook, but it looked like it had some nice pictures. The bowl has a hanging device at the bottom, and so it might be meant to be decorative instead of practical, but I would probably just use it as a bowl. I'm very happy that you like it!

Lars

Enjoy, Linda.

Gosh, when I see the boxes lars and David sent, I kind of wish I could get mine back and try again.

Linda, after the nice prezzies you sent to me in another swap, I'm glad you got a spectacular one, too.

Lars, you did a wonderful job!

Dedtired- I'm kinda thinking the same thing, I want my box back so I can do better! :)

Bri

WTG Lars, Linda will have fun.

Nancy

Linda, I know you will enjoy this package for a long time. The book looks interesting. I enjoy Moroccan and North African food very much and to have your own specially prepared spice by our Lars is so very special.

Lars, You did a great job on this package.

Beautiful bowl, Lars! Have fun, Linda!

Shelley

Enjoy it all!!

David

Enjoy!

AM

Sally

The cookbook looks very interesting and I'm looking forward to hearing which recipes you like. I love Lars' Algerian chicken recipe, we had it during the Michigan Run and now I need to make it again.

Great swap gifts, Lars. Lucky you, Linda.

Annie

Swaps are so cool.

Looks like a fun cookbook to explore--