Recipes

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

In Morocco, couscous is traditionally served on Fridays, a holy day in Islam for prayer, community gatherings and family meals. Known as Friday couscous, this custom is deeply rooted in the country's cultural and religious traditions. Couscous refers to the entire dish — the couscous granules called smida which translates to semolina, and the flavorful stew of vegetables and meat called marka. Traditionally, the couscous granules are steamed until light and fluffy in a couscoussière, while the marka is made with a variety of vegetables, meat and aromatic spices. For this quicker, vegetable-only version, the couscous is cooked according to package instructions for convenience. Ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep, by the time the vegetables are fully cooked, the broth, which is poured over the couscous to moisten it, becomes richly infused with the spices and deep, savory flavors of the vegetables. Any remaining broth is often served on the side to be enjoyed on its own or added to th

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

Pastilla, or B'stila in Moroccan Arabic, is one of the most iconic Moroccan dishes. Traditionally served during special occasions and festive gatherings, it masterfully balances sweet and savory notes, aromatic flavors and contrasting textures. While the original recipe calls for pigeon or squab encased in warqa (a thin, Moroccan pastry), this version uses chicken and phyllo pastry for a more accessible approach. The pie features layers of spiced chicken, caramelized onions, fluffy scrambled eggs and crunchy almonds. The chicken is cooked with the onions, then removed to allow the onions to caramelize while the almonds are toasted and eggs scrambled. However, all the layers can be prepared up to two days in advance; store them in sealed containers in the fridge, except for the almonds, which can be kept at room temperature. While the dusting of cinnamon sugar on top is optional, it’s a beloved tradition among many Moroccans, who typically enjoy an extra touch of sweetness.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

Bissara is a comforting Moroccan dish made primarily with dried, split fava beans or dried split peas. Often enjoyed as a warming winter meal, it features a creamy, smooth texture and is typically seasoned with garlic, cumin, paprika and olive oil. It can be served as a dip, with bread, or thinned into a hearty soup. A staple in Moroccan cuisine and a popular street food, bissara is celebrated for its simplicity, satisfyingly smooth texture and rich, savory flavors.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This flavorful dish makes a versatile side that can complement a variety of main courses. Infused with ras el hanout (see Tip), a warm and aromatic spice blend from North Africa, it’s ideal for sharing or preparing ahead of a busy week. Roasting the vegetables enhances their natural sweetness, creating a crispy exterior and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Cutting root vegetables into evenly sized pieces ensures they will cook at the same rate while maximizing surface area, allowing for enhanced flavor absorption and more caramelization. For carrots and parsnips, cut the thinner ends into chunks, then halve the thicker ends lengthwise before cutting into chunks.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This quick and easy dish transforms humble mushrooms into a flavorful centerpiece. As they roast, the mushrooms develop a rich, concentrated flavor, with the delightful contrast of tender interiors and crispy edges. The heat of the harissa and sweetness of the maple syrup perfectly complement the mushrooms, while the yogurt offers a cooling counterpoint. Serve as a starter with flatbread or as a flavorful accompaniment to beef skewers, or roast chicken or turkey.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

Kaab el ghazal, also known as gazelle horns, are cookies beloved by many Moroccans and are typically shaped like a crescent, mimicking the curve of a gazelle's horn. They are made from a fragrant almond-based dough, flavored with orange blossom water and a hint of cinnamon. In this version, the dough is coated in sesame seeds before baking, giving these gluten-free cookies a distinctive nutty flavor and a subtle chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft, aromatic filling inside. Often enjoyed with tea, these cookies are a staple during special occasions and celebrations such as Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. Traditionally, blanched almonds are ground at home in a food processor, but this recipe simplifies the process by calling for store-bought almond flour.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

In this twist on the classic carrot cake, ras el hanout, a vibrant Moroccan spice blend, replaces the recipe’s typical spices. Translating from “top of the shop” in Arabic, ras el hanout refers to a blend of the finest available spices in the shop. Its warm, complex flavor, rich with cinnamon, ginger and coriander, adds a delightful kick and fragrance that perfectly complement the tangy cream cheese frosting.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This vibrant vegetarian dish combines savory broiled halloumi, juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy white beans for a satisfying one-pan meal. When broiled, the halloumi becomes golden and crispy on the outside while staying soft and chewy on the inside, adding a deliciously hearty texture to each bite. Highly adaptable, this recipe allows for any canned, creamy white bean that you have on hand, like butter beans or navy beans, and thyme can be used in place of oregano. With a drizzle of olive oil, a touch of honey and fresh herbs, this recipe is perfect for a quick, meatless weeknight dinner that feels special.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

Something magical happens when preserved lemon and tomato are cooked together. In this quick and simple pasta, fragrant lemon permeates the tomato paste, creating a beautifully aromatic (and pantry-friendly) sauce with the addition of heavy cream. Spaghetti is tossed with the sauce, which ends up subtly sweet and yet bright and tangy — a comforting weeknight twist on the always beloved tomato pasta.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

These skewers offer a simple yet delicious way to bring the bold flavors of Moroccan cuisine to your table using a handful of spices. But what truly sets this dish apart is the green olive yogurt sauce; the creamy, tangy addition ties everything together. Inspired by the way olives are paired with chicken in Moroccan tagines, this briny sauce balances the warm spices. It's perfect for gatherings but just as great for busy weeknights, and while grilling adds depth, a grill pan works beautifully, too. Serve with a simple tomato salad, roasted or grilled vegetables or flatbread.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This salad tastes just as indulgent as it sounds and strikes the perfect balance of sweet, savory and nutty flavors. Crispy, golden halloumi adds a rich, salty contrast to the peppery arugula, while warm, soft and buttery dates and toasted almonds bring a delightful mix of sweetness and crunch. A light honey-Dijon vinaigrette ties everything together, adding just the right amount of brightness. For a seasonal touch, toss in juicy peaches during the summer or crisp apple slices in the colder months. To make it a heartier meal, toss in cooked grains like quinoa or cilantro rice for extra texture and substance. The best part about this recipe? It comes together in 20 minutes.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This warming one-pot stew delivers the depth and comfort of a long-simmered meal in a fraction of the time. Chickpeas and spinach braise in a richly spiced tomato base, creating layers of warmth and complexity. Ras el hanout, a fragrant Moroccan spice blend, gives the dish its signature aromatic depth; gently toasted tomato paste intensifies its flavor even further. A splash of soy sauce provides an unexpected but welcome hit of umami, rounding out the dish with a richness that mimics a stew that's been bubbling away for hours. Served with a generous spoonful of yogurt (or a squeeze of lemon) and a drizzle of harissa oil to cut through the richness, it's perfect with crusty bread or spooned over grains like rice, barley, bulgur or quinoa.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This simple fish dinner is all about contrast: tender, flaky white fish over a bed of spinach, paired with a vibrant, citrusy sauce that’s equal parts briny, sweet and gently spiced. The sauce comes together in minutes; olive oil gets infused with garlic, orange zest and turmeric, then balanced with vinegar, honey and plenty of chopped capers. The result is bright and aromatic, with just enough richness to coat the fish beautifully. The olive oil gives it a smooth, rounded depth, while a touch of butter ties everything together into a silky, golden sauce. It’s the kind of meal that feels fresh and nourishing, but still quick enough for a weeknight. Serve it with rice, couscous, or plenty of bread to soak up every last bit.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

Across North Africa, chorba simply means soup; a comforting broth built from meat or poultry, legumes and warm spices. This version, chorba beida (literally “white soup” in Arabic), comes from Algiers, Algeria, and stands out for its delicate balance of flavors. A mix of egg yolk and lemon juice stirred in at the end gives the broth its soft, tangy character and pale, creamy color. It’s a simple combination of chicken, onion, chickpeas and a touch of cinnamon, but it tastes like much more than the sum of its parts. Light yet deeply satisfying, it’s the kind of soup that brings comfort any time of year, especially with bread or dates on the side to round out the meal.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This tagine is a classic Moroccan dish of kefta, or minced meat, simmered in a gently spiced tomato sauce until tender and full of flavor. The base is built from simple, everyday ingredients — tomatoes, onions, garlic, paprika, cumin and herbs — that come together to create something deeply comforting. In Morocco, it’s common to crack eggs directly into the tagine alongside the meatballs as they finish cooking. Just move a few meatballs around to make space for the eggs before adding them. You can make it that way or skip the meat entirely and go for an all-egg version, similar to shakshuka. In that case, add the eggs at the same time you would the meatballs, cover and cook until they’re done to your liking. Either way, it’s a dish meant to be shared and scooped up with plenty of warm bread.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

Inspired by the sweet-and-savory balance found in Moroccan tagines, this vibrant sheet-pan dinner delivers bold, layered flavor with minimal effort. At the heart of the dish is a glossy marinade built around apricot jam, which adds a gentle fruitiness and helps keep the chicken tender and juicy as it roasts. The jam is mixed with garlic, thyme, soy sauce and warm spices like turmeric and ginger, creating a rich sauce that flavors both the chicken and the vegetables. As the chicken cooks, a bed of onions and chickpeas soaks up its juices, becoming soft and caramelized. Green olives, added toward the end, bring a brininess that adds contrast. Serve with your choice of sides, such as couscous, rice or flatbread.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This miso and egg fried rice is a "no-time-to-cook" hero, a quick take on a classic that delivers a surprising depth of flavor. While traditional fried rice usually relies on neutral-tasting oil and high-heat, this version leans into the French technique of beurre noisette (brown butter). As the butter’s milk solids toast and the water evaporates, they create a nutty, toasted foundation that perfectly complements the salty, fermented taste of white miso. The addition of a little honey bridges the gap between the two, resulting in a savory-sweet glaze that clings to every grain of rice. A generous handful of scallions adds the needed kick of freshness, cutting through the intensity of the butter and miso. It is the kind of pantry-staple meal that feels sophisticated enough for a late-night dinner but is humble enough to eat straight from the pan.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This one-pan recipe delivers a chicken dinner for two that’s built on three main ingredients: scallions, chicken and rice. The scallions are used in two ways, cooked down until soft and sweet to form the base, then scattered fresh at the end for a sharp, allium lift. Chicken thighs are seared until golden, slowly rendering their fat, which becomes the backbone of the dish. That fat coats the rice as it cooks, giving each grain a rich, savory depth. As it simmers, the rice absorbs all those juices, turning tender and fragrant. It’s simple, comforting cooking, where the main ingredients are given the space to really shine.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This sheet-pan meal brings together savory spices and ripe summer fruit in a way that feels both unexpected and deeply comforting. Chicken thighs roast until golden alongside fennel that softens and caramelizes, while peach wedges, added toward the end of the cooking, develop a jammy finish under the heat. A touch of honey, a splash of vinegar and Moroccan-inspired spices bring warmth and balance, with minimal prep and maximum reward. This recipe is flexible when it comes to fruit: Try swapping in nectarines or plums, depending on what’s available. Cooked entirely on a sheet pan and finished under the broiler for extra char, this unfussy, generous meal is just right for laid-back summer dinners. Serve it with couscous, bulgur or crusty bread to soak up the juices.

Nargisse Benkabbou · NYT Cooking

This recipe pairs chermoula, a classic Moroccan spiced and herbaceous marinade, with a crisp and bright shaved zucchini salad. A small amount of honey added to the marinade helps the chicken caramelize beautifully, whether it is cooked over the coals of a barbecue or under the high heat of an oven. When zucchini comes into contact with salt and acid, it begins to release its moisture and lose its characteristic crunch—so, to ensure the best texture, the salad should be dressed only at the last moment. The combination of fragrant chicken and lemony zucchini makes for a vibrant dinner with minimal active effort.

Amanda Hesser · NYT Cooking

Amanda Hesser

Julia Moskin · NYT Cooking

An easy, superfragrant weeknight version of classic chicken under a brick, this recipe uses chicken thighs instead of a butterflied whole bird. Lavish quantities of lemon, garlic and fresh herbs season the flesh, and the skin gets shatteringly crisp and salty. This recipe makes great use of a cast-iron skillet (or two) and is a great dish to cook when seasoning a new pan because of the large amount of fat that melts into the pan. (You pour it off before serving.) If you have a pan that is large enough to fit all the thighs, you can cook them in one batch. Julia Moskin

Florence Fabricant · NYT Cooking

The ease and deliciousness of this recipe, from the chef Nancy Silverton's cookbook "Mozza at Home," deserves to be emphasized. Though you need several hours of refrigeration to allow the chicken skin to dry out, which makes it crisp, you can be flexible about it; do what’s convenient. No matter what, just be sure to pat the skin dry with paper towels. You may also find the final run under the broiler unnecessary. Use your judgment. And also consider swirling in a good splash of white wine or chicken stock to the juices in the baking dish before spooning them on the chicken. Florence Fabricant

Nancy Harmon Jenkins · NYT Cooking

Nancy Harmon Jenkins