Ras El Hanout; A Staple of North African Cooking

in Spices
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Spice blends are a big differentiator between global foods. A spice blend from Iraq might differ with a spice blend commonly used in Egypt but used to make essentially a very similar dish. It’s what sets the dish apart, and each region, sometimes country specific, have their very own spice blends. You can often find these spice blends already assembled in many international grocery stores, however they are actually quite simple to make at home yourself. Even when you do find them at the store, you’re usually going to pay a hefty premium, and making it at home will yield a larger crop for you to use with several dishes you make in the future.

Ras El Hanout is a spice mix found in various forms throughout North Africa. I first associated Ras El Hanout with Morocco, however Tunisia and Algeria also utilize similar blends. The name in Arabic means “head of the shop” and implies a mixture of the best spices that each shop has to offer. Like other similar spice blends, the layout sounds a lot like tossing in everything but the kitchen sink, however each individual spice serves a purpose.

When it comes to making spice blends, have fun with it. If you’re missing an ingredient or two, don’t let that be an obstacle. Proceed with what you have on hand! I would however strongly recommend buying your spices in bulk at an international grocer and making your own blends out of them. You will save a ton of money, and if you like your blend with a bit more nutmeg, or maybe less cardamom, go ahead and adjust to your liking.

This is a Ras El Hanout blend that’s a staple in many of the dishes I cook. It works for me, and I think you’ll agree! And get creative with when and how you use it. Just because it’s an African blend doesn’t mean it can’t be used on every day ingredients and dishes you would make local to where you live, such as fish, egg salad, or even as a rub when smoking meats.

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Ras El Hanout

A staple spice blend commonly found in North African cooking.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Course Spice Blends
Cuisine North African
Servings 8 tablespoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 2 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon powder
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp allspice powder
  • 1 tsp cayenne
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves

Instructions
 

  • Combine spices and mix well. The above will yield ½ cup of total spend blend.
Keyword condiment, Spice Blends
 

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