Ras el Hanout (Moroccan Spice Blend)
Local name: رأس الحانوت
In short: A warm, floral Moroccan blend of cumin, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and pepper, toasted and ground fresh for tagines and rubs. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 17 kcal
Ras el hanout means 'head of the shop' in Arabic, a nod to the idea that it holds the best spices the seller has. There is no single formula, and Moroccan spice merchants guard their own blends of a dozen or more ingredients. This home version keeps to a warm, balanced core, with ginger, cinnamon and black pepper in front and floral notes from cardamom and rose petals. Toasting the whole seeds first makes the blend taste fresher and deeper.
Instructions
- Toast the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns and cardamom seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pan, until fragrant and a shade darker. Do not let them burn.
- Tip the seeds onto a plate and cool for 5 minutes.
- Grind the toasted spices, with the rose petals if using, to a fine powder in a spice grinder or a mortar.
- Mix in the ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, paprika, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and cayenne.
- Sift if you want a very fine blend, then store it in a small airtight jar away from light.
Tips
- Use it at the start of cooking, stirred into hot oil with the onions, or as a dry rub on lamb, chicken and roasted vegetables. Start with 1 to 2 tsp for 4 servings.
- Ground spices lose flavor fast, so make small batches. The blend tastes best within 3 months.
Questions and answers
What does ras el hanout taste like?
It is warm, earthy and slightly sweet, with a floral edge from cardamom and rose. Cumin and coriander give depth, while ginger, cinnamon and pepper add warmth.
What can I use instead of ras el hanout?
A pinch each of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger and allspice gets you close. Or make this recipe, which takes about 15 minutes.
Is ras el hanout spicy?
It is warming rather than hot. The cayenne in this recipe is a small amount, and you can leave it out for a milder blend.
How long does it take to make Ras el Hanout (Moroccan Spice Blend)?
About 15 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ras el Hanout (Moroccan Spice Blend)?
About 17 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 17 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 3 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
