There's no avoiding the fact that the travel bug got to me.  Maybe I was bitten, maybe inherited.  Irrelevant.  The point is, I love to travel.  Upon arrival in any new destination though, I am not going to lie, food is my top priority, always.  Don't get me wrong I do enjoy sight seeing.  I just feel I can get much closer to the culture I am visiting, through the cuisine of the locals.  And isn't that the point of traveling?  Learning the local foods and ingredients is my way of immersing.

I recently made my first trip to Morocco, and it was spectacular.  The culture was rich, the colours vibrant, the sounds completely novel to me.  And most importantly the food.  The food was incredible.  Familiar flavour combinations, new flavour combinations, better flavour combinations.  Our visit was eye opening, and our cooking class, palette opening.

But one thing I ate, or rather, drank, while sitting on Café des Épices' terrasse smack bang in the middle of the Souks of Marrakech, stuck with me.  An entirely new flavour combination, creamy, acidic and sweet all at the same time.  The secret to its incredible creaminess?  Avocado.  Who knew.  These ingredients are the epitome of this country and all it has to offer; Morocco in a glass.  It's rich, it's refreshing, it's balanced, and so good for you.  Until I return, this is me bringing a little Morocco into my kitchen, and hopefully yours.

Green Moroccan Smoothie
nibsetc. original recipe, inspired by Café des Épices. Makes 1 full/2 half servings

Ingredients:
1/2 ripe Avocado (those under-ripe Avocados that will never ripen?  Not bad to use if you have a powerful blender. Over-ripe avocados are also perfect for this - just expect a slightly dulled colour)
Juice from 2 Oranges
2 Dates, pitted (I had medjool on hand...probably best as they are softest)

Method:
Stick it all in a blender, and purée until smooth.
If you prefer things a little more acidic (such as I), add a touch more orange juice (store bought or fresh as you prefer - I happened to use store bought for fear of consuming the entire house-hold's orange supply too quickly...).
Close your eyes, feel the sun, smell the spiced air, hear the Arabic bartering, and drink.

Consume:
Perfect hearty breakfast.
As a mid-morning/mid-afternoon snack (as a half portion).