Ras al-Hanut - Moroccan Spice Mix
Ras al-Hanut
Region: Morocco
Category: Basic Recipes and Sauces
Season: Any
Difficulty: Easy and Quick

Ras al-hanut, literally "head of the shop" or "best of the shop" is a complex spice blend used in Moroccan cooking, but also found in a similiar version in Algeria and a somewhat different one in Tunisia. Spice shops employ experts who concoct the mixture, using up to twenty-seven different spices. But measuring is quite inaccurate because the spices themselves can vary in intensity and flavor depending on how old they are or where they came from. In the Sahel of Tunisia, ras al-hanut is usually composed of cinnamon, rose petals, cloves, and black pepper. A detailed description of the Moroccan variety of ras al-hanut is found in Paula Wolfert's Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco. This recipe is a simple, basic spice mix (you can add many other spices if you like).

Yield: Makes about 4 1/4 teaspoons
Preparation Time: 5 minutes

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon     1 teaspoon turmeric     1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg     1/4 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom seed     1/4 teaspoon freshly ground clove

Mix all the ingredients and store in a spice jar. It will keep indefinitely but lose its pungency over time.

Posted: 01/10/2007