Ras el Hanout Spice Blend
The Arabic phrase ras el hanout, translated iterally means “head of shop". According to legends, this Moroccan spice blend was created by spice dealers who would mix together the best of what they had on offer-- sometimes including up to 50 individual spices! It's typically a vibrant and earthy mix and it's essential to the savory/sweet pie known as b'stilla.
I've used it for everything from Roast Turkey to Fried Chickpeas. I even made a ras el hanout brittle, and wow, it was swoonworthy!
Makes about 1 cup
Ingredients
Ras El Hanout
5 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon whole cloves (or ground cloves)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon coriander seeds (or ground coriander)
1/2 teaspoon mace
1/2 teaspoon cardamom pods (or ground cardamom)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cumin seed (or ground cumin)
1/2 teaspoon allspice berries (or ground allspice)
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon aniseed
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
Instructions
Grind all of the ingredients with a mortar and pestle. Or, use a spice mill and pulse together for 1 minute.
