Charmoula (also spelled "chermoula") is a marinade for fish or seafood used in Moroccan, Tunisian and Algerian cuisines. It can also be used for meats or vegetables. Bill loves Grilled Chicken and Shrimp Charmoula served with small potatoes and Charmoula Sauce. This would be a great dish to make for Father's Day.

Combine the following ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth:

1/4 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 c. (or 1 large handful) fresh flat leaf (Italian) parsley, coarsely chopped
1/2 c. (or 1 large handful) fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 T. ground cumin
1 T. sweet paprika
1 tsp. salt
1/2 to 1 tsp. cayenne pepper

Set aside 2 to 4 T. of the marinade to make Charmoula  Sauce and/or Charmoula Salsa to dress the finished dish. Rub the remaining marinate all over your meat, fish or vegetables. Cover food refrigerate fish or meat 4 to 8 hours or vegetables for 1 hours, then grill. Serve with couscous, pasta, grilled potatoes or flat bread.

Charmoula Sauce: Blend 2 T. reserved marinade with 1 c. plain yogurt. (Refrigerate until serving.)

Charmoula Salsa: Just before serving, toss 2 to 4 T. of the reserved marinade with 1 c. chopped ripe tomato, 1 c. finely sliced carrots, and 1 T. finely chopped onion and any other chopped veggies that you want to use.

Click here to let me know how you use your Charmoula.

     Several months ago, Dana from California (originally from Louisiana) gave me a copy of Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. I found the book so fascinating that I kept interrupting Bill so that I could read passages aloud to him. I've just been waiting for the right time to use it in the newsletter.
    This piece of non-fiction tells the very interesting life story of a Syrian sailor who settled down in New Orleans, set up shop as a painting contractor and started a family.
    In the days leading up to Katrina, Abdulrahman Zeitoun, like many others, underestimated the soon-to-be impact of the storm and made the fateful decision to stay behind in New Orleans to protect his home and business while his wife and children evacuated the city. Most of the book is about the what led up to that decision, his heroic efforts to do some good in the midst of all of the devastation, and what he and his family went through as a result of his decision to stay behind.
    With all of the flooding in the Eastern U.S. this year and the recent events off the Louisiana coast, it seemed time to finally get Zeitoun in the newsletter.
     To pass along your book recommendation, or to let me know what you think about Zeitoun, click here.