Smen (Aged Butter)

Smen, an aged butter similar to Asian ghee, is a prized flavouring ingredient in Moroccan dishes. Smen is made from clarified butter, dried herbs, and salt. It is aged in small earthenware pots in a cool, dry place until it acquires an aroma and consistency similar to Roquefort cheese. Berber farmers in southern Morocco bury a tightly sealed pot of smen on the day of a daughter's birth, unearthing it years later to flavour the couscous served on her wedding day. Berber tradition notwithstanding, I suggest you use the smen within six months. You will need to make the smen well in advance as it requires a couple of weeks to develop its flavour. A teaspoon or two is usually all that is required to impart the characteristic taste to a dish of couscous or to the sauce of a tagine. You can substitute equal parts butter and olive oil in place of smen in a recipe, if you prefer.