A Moroccan dinner party is always a delicious treat! It might sound daunting, but many traditional recipes are really quite easy. That goes for the table decor too! Many Moroccan dishes are one-pot meals AND often times, no silverware required! So setting this type of table can be super simple. But just because it’s simple, doesn’t mean it can’t look festive! Easy embellishments and plenty of color and pattern can be achieved with mixing & matching what you might have. And if you feel like purchasing one or two authentic looking serving pieces, it’s easier than ever to find choices online! You can try floor cushions around a coffee table which would be very authentic…but a typical dining table with chairs is perfectly acceptable too! Because my husband lived in Morocco as a child, we often enjoy some of his favorites on a regular basis at a no-frills table. When we share them with friends we typically like to dress it up a tad to enhance the atmosphere. Today I’d love to show some simple ways we decorate our table…
easy, Moroccan dinner party inspo!
one-pot communal meals with lots of bread dunking can get messy…so covering your table with paper not only protects the tabletop but makes for easy clean up too!
stems of faux greenery can be casually draped over a chandelier. this is an easy way to create fun ambiance without much fuss!
simple, colorful settings surround the easy-to-reach serving vessels placed right in the middle…
traditional tagines are fun to use but any dutch oven or sauce pans will work to hold all the deliciousness! they can stay stationary on the table so guests can reach them…
smaller pots that can be easily passed work well to hold salads or side dishes…
you can use colorful bandanas as an inexpensive substitute for a linen napkin. dress them up with sprigs of greenery tied with ribbon!
party note:
tagines (which can refer to the pot and the meal) are often meant to be eaten with fingers and bread to soak up the sauces. you might have guests who aren’t that adventurous so keep extra utensils at the ready. depending on what sides you serve, you may wish to place some silverware on the table from the start.
since it’s typical to eat with fingers…lots of extra napkins are a must!
try recycling what you might have. cocktail glasses made pretty water goblets! the pattern had a hint of Moroccan style in the design…
extra details…
sweet, mint tea is a traditional sip at the end of the meal. you can highlight your glasses on a side table and create a pretty decoration until you’re ready to use them…
party tip:
if you don’t have Moroccan tea glasses, any juice glass will work. you can add color to your tray with flowers or fruit!
adding twinkle lights and greenery are easy ways to create ambiance…
blooms and sparkle will enhance any design!
easy appetizers!
starters are great at any dinner party. try serving something simple…
this minimal platter holds marinated goat cheese…
hummus, olives and cucumbers…
add naturally sweet goodies like mango & berries. something light and refreshing!
rustic nibbles are for dessert. baklava and almond cookies are just enough to finish the meal. make your own or visit your local bakery!
keep it simple, don’t worry about being literal, and just have fun!
enjoy a taste of Morocco!
pin for later~
note from lori~
Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco by Paula Wolfort is one of our favorite cookbooks and was given to us at our wedding with handwritten recipes from my in law’s caretaker in Morocco. . . i’d love to share her beet top salad dressing recipe with you. we use it on wilted beet greens or swiss chard, cooked red cabbage, and green beans:
in a small sauce pan combine 4 Tablespoons canola oil, 3 Tablespoons cider vinegar, 2-4 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, and a dash of red pepper flakes. bring to boil then pour over your wilted greens or vegetables. can be served hot or cold.
some of our favorite tagine meals from the cookbook are Chicken Smothered in Green Cracked Olives (Djej Bil Zeetoom Meslalla) and Chicken with Prunes (Djej Bil Babcock). We also like Meatball, Tomato and Egg Tagine (Kefta Mkaouara) Enjoy!!