Description
TWO PACK Moroccan Ras El Hanout Spice Blend in 2oz GLASS BOTTLES SHAKERS
About the History of Moroccan Ras El Hanout Spice Blend:
Ras el hanout is a complex, aromatic spice blend famously associated with Moroccan cuisine. If you're lucky enough to go to this beautiful country, ras el hanout should be on your list of foods to bring back from Morocco. The literal translation of ras el hanout from Arabic to English is “head of the shop," but in reality, it means "top shelf," both terms implying that this is the best offering in a spice shop. Due to its liberal use in mrouzia, a lamb and honey dish with intense seasoning, ras el hanout is also sometimes called mrouzia spice. Some versions are spicy, and some have no heat at all. If you make your own blend, you can control the heat.
No two versions of this spice blend are the same, so when sampling ras el hanout from different sources, you'll notice slight flavor variations. At its core, the spice blend isn't intrinsically spicy unless you intentionally add this flavor profile. Most recipes include cardamom, nutmeg, anise, mace, cinnamon, ginger, various peppers, and turmeric—at times a total of 30 or more ingredients might be used in varying quantities. Some blends could add up to 80 spices, so the beauty of the spice lies in a fluid recipe as well as personal preferences.
The blend is typically prepared by grinding whole spices, dried roots, and leaves. This recipe keeps things extra simple by using ground spices you may already have at home. If you'd like to try making a more complex and robust version, try using whole spices instead for a bolder and deeper flavor. Note that relatively few Moroccans use this spice blend in daily cooking; instead, the majority reserve it for specialty dishes.
