Ep 12. Anna the Couscous Lady

In episode 12 of Lidia's Italy season 1, Lidia is introduced to Anna, a Moroccan woman living in Italy who is known as the "Couscous Lady" in her neighborhood. Anna invites Lidia into her home and shares her traditional recipes for couscous and other Moroccan dishes.

Lidia begins by helping Anna make homemade couscous from scratch, starting with creating the semolina dough and then running it through a special machine to form the tiny grains. As they work, Anna explains the significance of couscous in Moroccan culture and how it is typically eaten on Fridays as a family meal.

Next, Anna shows Lidia how to make a flavorful tagine with lamb and vegetables using traditional Moroccan spices such as cinnamon and cumin. Lidia is impressed by the depth of flavor in the dish and realizes she has a lot to learn about the variety of spices used in different regions around Italy.

Finally, Anna treats Lidia to a Moroccan mint tea ceremony, which involves steeping fresh mint leaves and green tea in a special pot and then pouring the tea from high above the glasses to create a frothy layer on top. Lidia is charmed by the ritual of the tea ceremony and enjoys sipping the fragrant tea as they chat.

Throughout the episode, Lidia and Anna bond over their shared love of food and the importance of family traditions. Lidia is inspired by Anna's dedication to keeping her Moroccan heritage alive through her cooking and feels grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from her.

Overall, episode 12 of Lidia's Italy season 1 is a celebration of cultural exchange and the power of food to bring people together.