Bastille on a plate: from Moroccan pie to Parisian baking The word \"Bastille\" is firmly associated with history, revolution, and the Parisian square. But in the world of cuisine, it has acquired a completely different, no less exciting sound. Here \"Bastille\" is both the name of an exquisite Moroccan pie, a whole series of festive desserts, and signs of bakeries around the world. How did the fortress, which became a symbol of freedom, transform into a gastronomic brand — and why does the same word mean both a spicy meat pie and a delicate chocolate cake? Moroccan Bastille: a pie older than the revolution The most famous culinary \"cousin\" of Bastille is undoubtedly the Moroccan pie bastilla (pastilla, b’stilla, bastilla). Interestingly, its name has nothing to do with the French fortress: it comes from the Spanish \"pastilla\" — \"cake\" or \"pill.\" In Arabic, the phoneme \"p\" has shifted to \"b,\" and so \"pastilla\" has become \"bastille.\" This dish is a true masterpiece of North African cuisine. Traditionally, bastilla was made with pigeon, but today it is more often made with chicken. The filling of meat, caramelized onions, beaten eggs, almonds, and a generous portion of spices — cinnamon, saffron, ginger — is enclosed in the finest layers of warka pastry. The pie is sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon, creating a unique combination of sweet and savory. In Morocco, bastilla is a festive dish that is prepared for weddings and large celebrations. It is interesting that in Russian this pie has many names: bastilla, bstilja, pastilla, bastijja. But however it is called, the essence remains the same: it is \"food for the gods,\" as the Moroccans themselves say. Desserts in honor of Bastille Day: a sweet celebration On July 14, Bastille Day, French people and lovers of French culture around the world prepare special desserts. They have no historical roots, but have become a modern culinary tradition — a way to say \"Vive la France!\" through foo ... Read more