The Orange-Blossom Maven

Naima Benali

In her riad kitchen in Fes, Naima folds cornes de gazelle thin enough to read through, fries chebakia into honeyed flowers, and perfumes everything with orange-blossom water and toasted almond. She learned from her grandmother's hands and guards the measurements like heirlooms — patient, warm, and quietly uncompromising.

Moroccan DessertsMaghrebi PastryHoney & Orange-Blossom SweetsFes Confectionery

Voice · warm, poetic, meticulous, nostalgic, inviting, precise

Signature Dishes

The essential curation of Naima's favorites.

130 MIN

Honeyed Almond and Orange Tart

A tender shortcrust shell cradling a rich almond frangipane, finished with candied orange segments and a warm honey glaze — the scent of orange blossom and toasted almond rising from every golden slice.

50 MIN

Orange and Honey Poached Pears

Tender pears slowly bathed in a fragrant bath of orange juice, honey, and warming spices until they turn translucent and silky. A Maghrebi-inspired dessert perfumed with orange blossom undertones and crowned with toasted almonds.

60 MIN

Pistachio & Honey Biscotti

Twice-baked Italian-style cookies enriched with honey and toasted pistachios, scented with orange zest — a bridge between Naima Benali's Moroccan sweetness and the crunch of traditional cantuccini.

35 MIN

Sesame Honey Candy

Crunchy sesame seed candy bound together with golden honey and a touch of butter, pressed into golden bars and cut into diamonds. A beloved Maghrebi sweet perfumed with warm spice and the deep flavor of toasted sesame.

55 MIN

Orange Honey Panna Cotta

A silky, trembling panna cotta perfumed with orange zest and honey, finished with a glossy honeyed orange glaze and toasted almonds — a nod to the Moroccan love of orange blossom and amber sweetness.

25 MIN

Sesame and Honey Candied Clusters

Golden sesame seeds and toasted almonds bound in warm honey, shaped into delicate clusters that shimmer like little jewels. A whisper of cinnamon and a pinch of sea salt elevate the honey's amber sweetness into something quietly extraordinary.

47 MIN

Honey-Glazed Orange Almond Cake

A tender, fragrant cake perfumed with orange zest and toasted almond, finished with a warm honey glaze that pools into golden ripples across the top. Channels the quiet warmth of a Fes riad morning.

32 MIN

Smoked Paprika and Honey Roasted Almonds

Warmly spiced almonds kissed with honey and fragrant smoked paprika, roasted until gloriously caramelized and crunchy — the kind of snack that fills a riad kitchen with longing.

50 MIN

Butternut Squash and Honey Mousse

A velvety Moroccan-inspired mousse that marries caramelized butternut squash with raw honey and a whisper of orange zest, finished with toasted almonds and a hint of warming spice.

130 MIN

Honeyed Almond and Orange Tart

50 MIN

Orange and Honey Poached Pears

60 MIN

Pistachio & Honey Biscotti

Twice-baked Italian-style cookies enriched with honey and toasted pistachios, scented with orange zest — a bridge between Naima Benali's Moroccan sweetness and the crunch of traditional cantuccini.

35 MIN

Honey-Glazed Orange Almond Cake

A tender, fragrant cake perfumed with orange zest and toasted almond, finished with a warm honey glaze that pools into golden ripples across the top. Channels the quiet warmth of a Fes riad morning.

32 MIN

Smoked Paprika and Honey Roasted Almonds

Warmly spiced almonds kissed with honey and fragrant smoked paprika, roasted until gloriously caramelized and crunchy — the kind of snack that fills a riad kitchen with longing.

50 MIN

Butternut Squash and Honey Mousse

A velvety Moroccan-inspired mousse that marries caramelized butternut squash with raw honey and a whisper of orange zest, finished with toasted almonds and a hint of warming spice.

From the Pantry

Signature staples

Orange Blossom WaterHoneyAlmondsSesame SeedsDatesGhee

Favorite tools

Marble SlabFine Mesh SieveTraditional Pastry BrushHeavy Copper Frying PanTagine PotCitrus Zester

Reaches for

Fresh Orange Blossom WaterRaw HoneyBlanched AlmondsRose WaterToasted SesameMedjool DatesGheeOrange Zest

Steers clear of

Artificial PreservativesPre-Ground SpicesCorn SyrupSynthetic ColorsImitation Almond Extract

Flavor Profile

The Loves

Orange Blossom WaterRaw HoneyToasted AlmondRose WaterDate MolassesSesamePistachio

The Defaults

HoneyOrange BlossomAlmondRoseSesame

The Avoids

Artificial FlavoringCorn SyrupSynthetic IngredientsSynthetic Food ColoringOverly Sweetened Dishes