lamb, raisins, coffee, oh my

Everyone has a particular food he/she hates, sometimes an entire food group. Though I’m not picky, there are a few things that I absolutely can not choke down. But because I hate limiting my food intake, I made it a rule that I must try (and retry) my hated food items once a year. It started simple like pineapples and daikon radishes. I tried them once a year, year after year. And now they’re two of my favorite foods. Then I moved on to conquer goat cheese and lamb. Yes, I hated goat cheese and lamb before, hard to believe, but true… now I can’t resist ordering anything with goat cheese or lamb. I still can not stand raisins though…

Good thing I love lamb now. Or else how can I live with myself if I can not devour the delicious lamb tangine at Café Mogador? The tender and juicy pieces of lamb fall right off the bone (and right into my tummy). Fluffy cous cous tops off the dish – the perfect medium for soaking up the sauce. Of the five sauces they offer, I’m partial to Casablanca – chick peas, raisins, and onions. Raisins and onions both lend sweetness to the sauce and bring out the natural sweetness of the lamb. The dish is warm and homey, good for the soul. In case you’re wondering, I construct a raisin graveyard on the side of my plate when I eat this dish.

After the satisfying meal, you must have the Turkish coffee. The coffee comes in a miniature bronze pitcher, all swirling and dark and mysterious. Cinnamon-y and nutmeg-y, the coffee beckons for you to return.