Try This Simplified Moroccan Ras el Hanout Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is ras el hanout made of? ›

The mixture usually consists of over a dozen spices in different proportions. Common ingredients include cardamom, cumin, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, dry ginger, chili peppers, coriander seed, peppercorn, sweet and hot paprika, fenugreek, and dry turmeric.

Some blends have as many as 35 different spices in them, but commonly Ras El Hanout includes paprika, cardamom, cumin, clove, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, aniseed, dried ginger, peppercorn and turmeric. Whole spices, dried roots and leaves are ground together.

Garam masala resembles the flavor of North African Ras el Hanout because it contains a mixture of cumin, cinnamon, coriander, and cloves, though you may need to add in some cayenne powder to spice it up.

Baharat vs Ras-el-hanout

Although baharat and ras-el-hanout share similar ingredients like cardamom, coriander, cloves and cinnamon, they do differ slightly. Ras-el-hanout is a Moroccan spice blend which contains a few more spices such as allspice and lavender.

Garam masala, an aromatic spice blend of Indian origin is sometimes confused with ras el hanout. While they are both carefully curated spice blends, and equally delicious, they are not the same and cannot be used interchangeably.

Ras el Hanout is woody, pungent, and bitter, but it's also sweet because of the nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. And it's not spicy like you might think – just warm. Because of its strong flavours, it makes a great marinade or spice rub for meats, and it's traditionally used in tajines and stews.

The ten spices that are the most important to Moroccan cuisine are: Cayenne (felfla), cinnamon (karfa), turmeric (quekoum), ginger (skinjbir), black pepper (elbezar), aniseed (nafaa), seaseme seeds (jinjelan), cumin (kamoon), paprika (felfla hlouwa), and saffron (zafrane).

Ras el hanout is used for savory dishes, as a meat or fish rub and it's also mixed with rice and couscous. Za'atar – This condiment is made with ground dried thyme, oregano, marjoram or some combination of toasted sesame seeds and salt. It is a generic term for a mixture of Middle Eastern herbs.

No, Ras el Hanout is not the same as Harissa. Harissa is a hot chili paste which originated in North Africa, however, the Moroccan version is often made to be more mild than Harissa you'll find in Tunisia or Algeria.

Is tagine the same as ras el hanout? ›

Ras el hanout is a spice mix hailing from North Africa, and is most famously found in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. It's also sometimes known as mrouzia spice, as it's commonly used in a honey and lamb tagine with the same name.

Is ras el hanout the same as Lebanese 7 spice? No, ras el hanout is a Moroccan spice blend that differs from Lebanese 7 spice. Although they have several spices in common, ras el hanout usually has a much lengthier ingredient list and packs in more heat than Lebanese 7 spice.

Berbere and Ras el Hanout are two iconic spice blends from North Africa, known for their rich flavors and aromatic profiles. While both blends add depth and complexity to dishes, they each have distinct ingredients and culinary uses.

Za'atar. Also among Middle Eastern blends is za'atar, a mixture with a very different base than baharat. It consists of a mix of herbs (basil, thyme, oregano, or hyssop), toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and salt. As in many Middle Eastern blends, other spices like cumin and coriander can be added.

Is ras el hanout the same as Lebanese 7 spice? No, ras el hanout is a Moroccan spice blend that differs from Lebanese 7 spice. Although they have several spices in common, ras el hanout usually has a much lengthier ingredient list and packs in more heat than Lebanese 7 spice.

Moroccan Harissa focuses on a more smoky, peppery flavour using less paprika and more acidic or citrus sweeteners like lemon juice, tomato paste and sweet red peppers. On the other hand, as I have illuminated, Ras el Hanout is a spice blend. The two are very different but they are both delicious.