beans in authentic harira?

[epabella]

i've had some passable moroccan last saturday and the harira had some pinto and kidney beans. i always thought moroccans only used chick peas for their traditional stew - what do you guys think? nowadays, if it's served in a tajine, it's moroccan (even it was just a can of libby's or hunt's).

[wineos]

I agree, I make my harira with chickpeas and lentils.

[thew]

i think chick peas are more common, but a moroccan would use whatever beans were readily available. my policy is to be more concerned with if it tastes good than if it perfectly fits some unattainable shibboleth of authenticity

[epabella]

moroccans would probably use broadbeans and not pinto or kidney. constant disregard for authenticity is like serving deep dish and calling it a margarita or spewing thai fish sauce and galangal over sushi instead kikkoman and wasabi.

[bushwickgirl]

I'll go the chick pea/broadbean route for my authentic Moroccan. An authentic harira contains chick peas and lentils.

[epabella]

nice pointing out lentils, bushwickgirl - i'll have some when i do my own harira this weekend. any ideas for a moroccan inspired dessert? sliced citrus salad with dried apricots, dates and raisins is all i can think off right now.

[thew]

poor people use whatever is available. if chickpeas are not they will use what is. that's "authentic"

[epabella]

and pinto and kidney beans are not native to morocco, hence, rich or poor moroccans will use neither of the two.

[thew]

did it taste good? that trumps "authenticity" every time

[epabella]

as was stated when i started the thread, it was barely passable - not enough cumin/cinnamon and tasted more italian than moroccan. it didn't go well with the flat bread and goat cheese served. seemed like it came from a can with an easy-open lid

[bushwickgirl]

Dates stuffed with almonds or almond paste and fresh seasonal fruit, oranges, grapes, melon, should do it for an "authentic" tasty meal. Don't forget the mint tea. Enjoy!

[thew]

so the beans seem not to have been the issue at all.