Harissa (Tunisian Chili Paste)
Local name: هريسة
In short: Dried chilies soaked and ground with garlic, caraway, coriander and olive oil into a deep red paste, the signature heat of Tunisian cooking. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 48 kcal
Harissa is the chili paste that defines Tunisian food. Many families make a big batch from dried red peppers once a year, then keep jars under a film of olive oil. It is stirred into stews and couscous, spread on sandwiches, loosened with oil as a dip for bread and served at the start of a meal. Homemade harissa tastes fresher and fruitier than most jarred versions.
Instructions
- Wearing gloves, split the chilies and shake out most of the seeds. Put them in a heatproof bowl and cover with just-boiled water.
- Soak for 30 minutes, pressing the chilies under the water now and then, until they are soft and pliable.
- Drain the chilies, saving 4 tbsp (60 ml) of the soaking water. Squeeze the chilies gently to remove excess water.
- Put the chilies in a food processor with the garlic, caraway, coriander, cumin, salt, lemon juice and olive oil. Blend for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides.
- Add the saved soaking water, 1 tbsp at a time, until the paste is thick and slightly coarse. Taste and adjust the salt.
- Pack the harissa into a clean jar, press it down and pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top. Chill it, and the flavors will mellow after a day.
Tips
- For a milder harissa, use only mild chilies and discard all the seeds. For a fiery one, keep the seeds of the hot chilies and add a few more.
- After each use, smooth the surface and top the jar with a fresh film of olive oil. It keeps air out and the paste from drying.
Questions and answers
How long does homemade harissa last?
Covered with a film of olive oil it keeps for about 4 weeks in the fridge. It also freezes well in small portions for up to 6 months.
What can I use instead of harissa?
Mix 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp cayenne or chili flakes, 1 crushed garlic clove and a pinch each of caraway and coriander for a quick stand-in.
How do you use harissa?
Stir 1 to 2 teaspoons into stews, soups, eggs or couscous sauce. You can also loosen it with olive oil as a dip for bread or spread a little on sandwiches.
How long does it take to make Harissa (Tunisian Chili Paste)?
About 25 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Harissa (Tunisian Chili Paste)?
About 48 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 48 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 145 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
