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GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER
Food speaks about us. How we cook says a lot about us.
How can we get to know other cultures? By getting invited to dinner.
Let's see where we're going to eat.
The Arab region of the Maghreb starts with Morocco to the west.
Morocco derives from Marrakesh, which means "Land of God".
Arabic is its official language.
It's a constitutional monarchy, under King Mohammed VI.
The landscape has pristine beaches,
as well as tall mountains and desert dunes.
- Who is it? - Hi Adil. It's Davide.
- Hi, Davide. - Shall we go shopping?
- All right. - I'll wait here then.
- Davide, how are you? - Fine, thanks.
- Are you OK? - Yes!
- Shall we go shopping? - Sure, let's go.
- So, how are you? - Fine, thanks.
- Where are you from, Adil? - I'm from Morocco,
but I've stayed here for 24-25 years.
I arrived in 1988, I stayed three years in Sicily, in Palermo,
then I moved to Modena.
- Did you come with your parents? - Yes,
with my Mum and Dad and five brothers.
What if I asked you,
what do you miss the most about your country?
I'd say, the mosques, the muezzin...
But, more importantly,
I feel this is my country now.
Do you feel more Italian or Moroccan?
I feel more Italian.
From the very first three or four years, I felt more Italian.
I got Italian citizenship two years ago,
but I felt Italian a long time before that.
- So now you're an Italian. - Yes.
- Will you vote now? - Of course!
- Will it be the first time? - No, the second.
So, after 10 years you came of age and you stayed in Italy,
you were a citizen?
Actually no, when you arrive in Italy,
you must reside here for 10 years, on a regular basis.
In addition to having resided here for 10 years,
you need to have worked here for the last three years.
You must prove your income for the last three years.
Only then can you apply.
Unfortunately, in Modena you wait at least five to six years...
- That long? - Yes, 10 plus 6 makes 16 years.
- But then, you got it, right? - Yes.
I think you really deserve it.
Well, I hope so.
I hope so.
You came here, went to school here. Then you grew up,
- and made a family of your own. - That's right.
How is your family made up now?
I married in 2001
and I have three children.
How did you meet with your wife?
We had a classic marriage.
I sent my photo and she sent hers.
We liked each other, so I went there and proposed to her.
There are many types of marriage in Morocco.
This is the most classic one.
We spoke and got along,
so we immediately married, kind of in a hurry.
And we get on well.
- This is Davide. - Nice to meet you.
- This is Abdullah. - I'm Davide.
- Good. - Right.
- So this is your trusted butcher shop. - Yes, an Islamic butcher shop.
Those who follow the Islamic religion
can only eat meat that was slaughtered the Islamic way.
- So, Halal meat? - Right, very good.
What recipe will you prepare tonight?
It's a typical Moroccan dish.
- I think I know which one. - And you'll have to eat it!
Couscous is made with semolina, meat and vegetables.
- What kind of meat? - Chuck.
- Chuck beef? - Yes, beef.
I'm taking this pack of couscous.
And it's from Morocco!
You see, here are the spices...
Right, here are all of them!
We use these ones, you see.
Cumin,
paprika...
Which spices go in the couscous?
My wife will tell you better!
All right, I see who's in charge of the kitchen!
Yes, that's because couscous is a very elaborate dish.
What's written on that sign over the scale?
- What's written there? - These are...
It's an artistic sign,
and it means: "God is beneficent and merciful."
This sentence opens every chapter of the Quran.
It's nice that it's placed over the scale.
- May I? - Come in.
- Hello, I'm Davide. - This is my wife, Zineb.
- It's a pleasure. - I'm Davide.
- And the little boy! - Right.
- This is Mohammed. - I'm Davide.
- This is Khadija. - And I'm Davide.
Let's go to the living room.
Preparing and offering tea is a welcoming gesture.
They serve it with sugar and add fresh mint
for a strong and sweet aroma.
THE RECIPE
What are we eating tonight?
- We'll eat couscous. - Couscous.
I can see we have a special pot here.
- It's a special couscous pot, I'd say. - That's right.
You pour in the couscous up here...
- The meat underneath. - All right.
- So the meat... - And the vegetables.
Couscous, beef meat,
thinly sliced onion,
passata,
pepper, salt,
ginger, turmeric, colouring,
parsley leaves, fresh vegetables,
sprouts,
water and olive oil.
COUSCOUS RECIPE PREPARATION
Place the meat in the pot with onion, salt, spices and colouring.
Add water, mix together and put on the stove.
When the meat is golden brown, stir in the passata, oil and water.
Then cover and leave it.
Knead the couscous using water.
Place it on the top shelf of the pot,
then over the meat on the heat.
The couscous has cooked for about half an hour.
After half an hour remove the couscous from heat,
add the vegetables, passata, parsley and water.
Now that the couscous is hot, you knead it again.
- The couscous is half-cooked now. - Pour olive oil over it and continue...
- Do you see how I'm contributing? - I see!
- Your contribution is vital. - Without me...
I like how you put it all in your hands...
Water, salt and oil, all together.
- Stop. - OK.
Now water.
Obviously you need practice, we don't have a recipe.
It's just practice.
Put the vegetables on the side so as not to break them.
- Then... - And the meat is underneath.
I love the way you're arranging the vegetables.
He's falling asleep. The baby has fallen asleep!
The couscous is ready.
So we're almost there.
This is how we prepare couscous.
Congratulations, it's so nice!
And now we'll taste it.
- I'd like to thank you for inviting me. - You're welcome.
How do you say "enjoy"?
Bless you!
I know how to say "enjoy"!
Enjoy your lunch and eat it all!
I learned it at school.
They taught it to you, did they!
- Don't you say grace before eating? - No.
We say a small prayer.
A longer one is:
"Allah, bless the food you provided us with no efforts."
And in Arabic?
Got it?
Sure! So, enjoy!
Translation and subtitles by Agnese Morettini www.agnesemorettini.com