Ras El Hanout, spice mix

RAS EL HANOUT

Ras el Hanout: Moroccan Spice Blend

Origin: Morocco

Format: powder

Ras el Hanout: North African Spice Mix

The Ras el Hanout is a spice blend from Morocco, available in various varieties and composed of a number of spices, some of the finest, ranging from 10 to 30. Today, this blend is used throughout North Africa and also in Europe, where it has arrived through migration flows.

The translation of Ras el Hanout is indicative of the high quality of the product. Ras el Hanout in Arabic literally means 'head of the shop' or 'boss of the shop', indicating that it was composed of the best spices the merchant could offer, and is therefore a mix of multiple flavors and aromas for those who love warm yet sweet flavors.

This blend is considered on par with curry or Garam Masala: Ras el Hanout is indeed used in the preparation of many recipes, to add an intense and particular taste to dishes.

Ras el Hanout: Recipe

Ras el Hanout can be composed of various spices, according to tastes and the ability to find the perfect balance between the various ingredients for a correctly balanced composition. The Ras el Hanout recipe we propose is a blend of the highest quality and is composed of 15 ingredients: turmeric, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, chili, pepper, cardamom, ginger, cumin, fennel, nutmeg, star anise, orange peel, fenugreek, and bay leaf.

Ras el Hanout is one of the basic ingredients in Moroccan preparations, from couscous to marinating various cuts of lamb, and was traditionally prepared at home by mixing the spices and letting them blend in a container for very long periods, even up to a month.

Ras el Hanout: How to Use It?

Ras el Hanout is present in many Moroccan recipes, comparable to an African curry, used to flavor couscous and rice recipes, often also as a dry marinade or 'rub' for meats, traditionally chicken or lamb as per Islamic guidelines, as well as to flavor soups and stews or create pungent sauces. In Middle Eastern tradition, for example, some Ras el Hanout is added to hummus, the typical chickpea and tahini sauce, for a spicier and more pungent flavor, or it is used as a spice for kebab marinades.

Arriving in the West, many chefs have experimented with the use of this blend of special spices, but it is the Moroccan tradition that tells us about the history of Ras el Hanout and its use. If you have come across Ras el Hanout and wondered where to use it, we offer two typical Moroccan recipes to diversify your cuisine.

Ras el Hanout Tajine

Among the primary pairings made with Ras el Hanout is chicken. Traditionally prepared in the typical terracotta container, the tajine, we suggest using this spice mix for a preparation of tajine with Ras el Hanout, chicken, and vegetables. After preparing a sauté of onions, add the vegetables and then the chicken. The Ras el Hanout should be added to the tajine about 10 minutes before the end of cooking, which should be done slowly, over low heat, and aided with hot water or chicken broth.

Ras el Hanout and couscous: tabbouleh

If you prefer to use Ras el Hanout in a cold preparation, add it to couscous in the making of this cold salad, tabbouleh, one of the most famous dishes in Lebanese cuisine spread throughout Africa and the Middle East. It is a very aromatic and spicy couscous variant, which is well suited to the use of this particular spice mix. For the preparation, add Ras el Hanout to the couscous along with oil and lemon juice before adding water to let it swell. Once fluffed, add cucumber, red onion, celery, and cherry tomatoes cut into cubes. Adding Ras el Hanout to the recipe offers an aromatic variation to this traditional preparation.

Online Sale of Ras el Hanout

Among the most requested African products is certainly Ras el Hanout. Where to buy this precious spice mix then? Terzaluna has years of experience in selecting international spices of the best quality. You can make your purchase of Ras el Hanout directly on our pure and organic spice e-shop where we have chosen a Moroccan blend of the finest quality.

Price and sizes

Terzaluna is the place to find the best Ras el Hanout recipe at an affordable price. For you, a blend of 15 spices in different sizes, to enrich your pantry.

• Ras el Hanout 50 g - €2.50
• Ras el Hanout 100 g - €5.00
• Ras el Hanout 250 g - €11.50

Online Sale of African Spices 

If you are curious to know about Ras el Hanout and how to use it in your recipes, also explore our wide range of African spices.