Have you ever tried argan oil? It is some really amazing stuff that is great for cooking as well as making yourself beautiful on a budget…not that you need any more beautifying, of course. In the past year I’ve been using it in my cooking and even more so on my sensitive skin (the cosmetic grade) in a massive effort to ward off wrinkles and dry skin and everything else that will help me look younger than I am. Am I the only woman who does that? Actually, I’m also just really averse to using expensive cosmetics with fragrance or chemicals that I don’t feel comfortable putting on my face.
Enough from me- read on as Dana of Arganic and Joél of Saadia Organics– two women intricately involved in the production of one of nature’s finest oils ever discovered. I’ll let them tell you more about this amazing oil squeezed out of a fruit in Morocco…
Argan Oil coming from the UNESCO protected argan tree has been used by the Berber people in Morocco for centuries. It has been nicknamed ‘liquid gold’ for its multiple health benefits. Taken internally it has been proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and most impressively it has been documented as cancer-protective.
Culinary Uses of Argan Oil
Toasted culinary argan oil has a distinctive nutty taste which has attracted the attention of gourmet chefs around the world. It is best used as a finishing oil to drizzle on fish, vegetables, soups and pasta. It is delicious eaten simply with bread and is great in salad dressings.
In Morocco argan oil is commonly served with honey over pancakes for breakfast. It is also a main ingredient in ‘amlou’ a delicious paste made of ground almonds, argan oil and honey. It also makes a great salad dressing, just like in the recipe below.
Date, Walnut, and Feta Salad
At Arganic we control every aspect of production of our oil from tree to bottle, ensuring you get the finest quality, pure, organic argan oil, which is delicious in this healthy salad so perfect for summer meals.
Ingredients
Serves 2
- 100g of wild rocket/ruccola/arugula
- A handful of dates, preferably the medjool (large and juicy) kind
- A handful of walnuts, roughly chopped
- 100g of feta cheese
For the dressing
- Organic argan oil
- Pomegranate molasses
Directions
Wash and dry the rocket and place into a large bowl.
Next pit and roughly chop the dates and add to the bowl.
Follow with the feta cheese cut into cubes and the walnuts.
For the dressing add 3 tablespoons of argan oil and 1 tablespoon of the pomegranate molasses. Add salt to taste and indulge!
There is nothing better than having good quality culinary Argan Oil in your kitchen. We also think that cosmetic Argan Oil is a must-have in every household, too. Argan Oil of both types is made from the kernels of the inside of the pits of Argan fruit. When manufacturing culinary oil, the kernels are lightly toasted, bringing out the rich, nutty flavour. Cosmetic oil is made from raw kernels and works amazingly well on your skin, hair and nails. It smooths wrinkles, reduces inflammation, hydrates and heals. Even conditions such as psoriasis and eczema can greatly benefit from the daily application of cosmetic Argan Oil.
We also want to let you know that Saadia Organics has recently launched a charity to make bedtime better for Moroccan kids. The company’s production manager, Saadia, hand- presses her cosmetic grade Argan Oil in her {halal} kitchen in Essaouira, Morocco. Her young granddaughter, Eden, lives in Vancouver and wasn’t interested in receiving birthday presents for herself this year, but instead wanted to collect gifts for Moroccan children in need.
If you are looking for a charity to donate to during Ramadan this year, this could be it. It’s a fun project to get your children involved in, too. Please have a look at Eden’s Pajama Project for more details:
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed.
About the Giveaway
Saadia Organics is offering the following giveaway items to one reader of My Halal Kitchen.
- One 50 ml bottle of Saadia Organics cosmetic-grade Argan Oil
- A kessa (exfoliating mitten for the hammam, or for your “at home hammam”)
- A packet of beldi (black Moroccan soap)
- A box of Moroccan tea
Please enter by answering the following question in the comments below:
Are you most likely to use cosmetic Argan Oil on your skin, hair or nails?
To enter, please read our Official Giveaway Guidelines page first then add a relevant comment in order to be entered. Entering indicates you have read them. Giveaway ends at 12:01 am on August 16, 2012.
If you are interested in purchasing culinary and/or cosmetic Argan Oil, please visit: www.myarganic.uk.co (UK) or www.saadiaorganics.com (Canada).
*Disclaimer- the information provided here is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a physician before using any product to treat or prevent a medical condition.