Simple Cooking: Harissa Spice Blend

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 29, 2010 4:00PM

Yesterday we were cleaning up our produce basket in the kitchen of about two dozen dried serrano chiles and decided to grind them into a fine powder for spicing sauces and adding some kick to some cooking. After accidentally breathing in some of the dust and subsequently snotting like an angry bull for a half-hour, we had two tablespoons of serrano powder and decided to include it in some harissa spice mix.

Harissa is a spice blend from Northern Africa that can be used to add some zest to couscous, pastas, and other dishes. You can add oil to the mix and use the paste that forms as a marinade or as a main component in other dishes. We're marinating a whole chicken with the paste for roasting right now.

Ingredients

1/4 cup paprika
2 Tablespoons serrano chiles
2 Tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoons ground caraway
1 Tablespoon ground coriander
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Mix all ingredients in a bowl to form a paste. Will keep for 2-3 months, if refrigerated. Or simply leave out the olive oil and garlic and keep the blend stored in a cool, dry place.