CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Debuting in greater Sacramento farmers market scene are two artisan bakers who offer flavors of Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and Morocco.

Between markets, Mohamed Yahiaoui (Mo) and his wife Chloe (Coco) Gonzales work around the clock to meet demand for dips and tabouna bread.  The flat loaves are made exactly as Yahiaoui’s mother and grandmother produced from clay ovens in his native Sousse, Tunisia.

“When I started baking in USA, I called my mom for advice,” says Yahiaoui. “We get semolina flour locally and, by using mom’s recipe, my bread tastes as delicious as I remember from my childhood.” Moe and Watsonville-born Coco bake more than 500 loaves weekly and offer them with other “North African Passion” products at Carmichael, Sacramento, Folsom farmers markets (also coming soon to Orangevale’s Thursday market). To spread on the thick loaves, the artisan bakers have created a variety of dips and grilled salads. Their vegetarian recipes use produce sourced from farmers market vendors, blended with yoghurts, lemon juice and olive oil. Flavors range from a mild, cream Egyptian feta dip to a fierce jalapeño-laced matbukha appetizer that knocks the socks off spice lovers. Their most popular invention is a grilled kale and spinach salad called khubiza.

Inventory is prepared at a Sacramento co-op kitchen. Wednesday to Sunday, the entrepreneurs pack their van and head out to their customers. “Farmers markets provide a great atmosphere for people to learn about other cultures,” says Coco. “We usually sell out of bread within a couple of hours. Once people have tried it, they always come back for more.”

Her husband came to USA in 2014 and worked in restaurants. “It was a simple step for me to start cooking for my own business,” he explains. “We call ourselves North African Passion because I’m the North African. And Coco – she is my passion. She helps me come up with beautiful ideas for dips. Coco’s taught me everything I know about making a business. You always hear about the American dream, well, we feel we are living it.”

Learn about North African Passion at https://www.facebook.com/northafricanpassion/