This Arabic spice mix of Ras el Hanout translates to Top Shelf Spice Mix and hails to us from the city of Blida, Algeria. It’s a complex, aromatic spice blend that’s famously associated with North African cuisine.
Table of contents
How to Use Ras el Hanout Spice Mix
It’s used in many savory dishes from North Africa, sometimes rubbed on meat or fish, or stirred into couscous(the national dish), pasta, or rice. However, we wrote this recipe to accompany a Berber Pizza recipe (coming soon).
How to Store Ras el Hanout Spice Mix
Store your Ras el Hanout Spice Mix in an airtight spice jar in a cool dark area of the kitchen, your spice pantry. Ground spices lose their freshness the quickest and typically don’t last past six months. The best freshness test for ground spices is to give them a whiff — if they smell like nothing, then it’s time to say goodbye.
History of Ras el Hanout
The blend has its origins way back in Algerian history. When Carthage ruled North Africa the country was a crucial gateway by which goods flowed from Africa to Europe. Algerias’ importance in the spice trade brought in spices from all over the world and was assimilated into its food culture.
The City of Blida, Algeria
Blida is a city in Algeria and the capital of Blida Province. Located about 45 km southwest of Algiers, the national capital, it’s known as the city of roses because of the large number of roses in its gardens. The city is surrounded by orchards and gardens. The Oued el Kebir river provides power for large corn mills, and several factories and also supplies the town with its numerous fountains and irrigated gardens.
A Brief History of Blida, Algeria
The city occupies the site of a military station in the time of the Romans, but the present town appears to date from the 16th century, in which it was founded, according to Baedeker, by Moors. A mosque was built by order of Khair-ed-din Barbarossa, and under the Turks, the town was of some importance.
In 1825 it was nearly destroyed by an earthquake but was speedily re-erected on a site about a mile distant from the ruins. It was intricately rebuilt with interconnecting alleyways and streets and was made accessible through the existing six major gates. The gates were as follows:
- Bab Er-Rahba
- Bab Ed-Zair
- Bab El-Khouikha
- Bab Es-Sebt
- Bab Ez-Zaouia
- Bab El-Kbour
- Bab El-Kseb
Today the gates no longer exist, but their names are still in use by people in Blida as reference points to locate streets, places, schools, and businesses.
Tourism in Blida, Algeria
At the base of the Atlas Mountains, near the Mitidja plain, is the small city of Blida characterized by its architectural character designed according to French standards. Among the most important destinations are the orchards surrounding the city planted with oranges, Wadi Sharm Al-Kabeer, the Grand Mosque, the gates of the old city, Bab Al-Rahba, Bab Al-Zeer, and many other distinctive landmarks.
Algerian Cuisine
Algerian cuisine offers a variety of dishes depending on the region and the season, most are centered around bread, meats (lamb, beef, or poultry), olive oil, vegetables, and fresh herbs. Vegetables are often used for salads, soups, tajines, couscous, and sauce-based dishes. Of all the Algerian traditional dishes available, the most famous one is Couscous, recognized as a national dish.
Pork consumption is forbidden to Muslims in Algeria, in accordance with Sharia, the Islamic law.
– Featured Grocery Store –
Dahas Shop
FR87+G53, Blida, Algeria
This little Mom & Pop Shop doesn’t have any online representation save a Google Map Pin. It’s one of those gems that can only be found when you truly want to Taste the World. So if you are in Blida, stop in and grab a bottle of Ras El Hanout Spice Mix, it will be kept on the Top Shelf.
How to Make This Ras El Hanout Spice Mix Recipe
This mix is quick and easy. All of the ingredients are widely available and easy to find. Use a clean spice jar to store the mix in your spice pantry.
What You Needed to Make Ras El Hanout Spice Mix
Equipment Needed
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Spice Jar
Ingredients Needed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander seeds
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Time needed: 5 minutes.
How to Mix Ras El Hanout Spice Mix
- Mix
In a small bowl whisk together all ingredients until combined well.
- Store
Store in an airtight container. Good for about 6 months or until it loses its smell.
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Ras El Hanout ~ Top Shelf Spice Mix
Please Rate this Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Spice Jar
Ingredients
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ¾ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together all ingredients until combined well.1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp sweet paprika, 1 tsp salt, ¾ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground coriander, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, ½ tsp ground allspice, ¼ tsp ground cloves
- The spice blend keeps in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 6 months or until the spice loses its smell.
Nutrition
Other Recipes to Make With Ras El Hanout ~ Top Shelf Spice Mix
We published this recipe specifically to be used in our Berber Pizza recipe. However, it can be used in many other North African recipes.
Photo Credits:
- By Taste The World Cookbook – Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
- By Sif eddine Brahimi – Copyright BY https://www.facebook.com/people/Brahimi-Sif-Eddine/100008710748354/
- By Blida City from Blida, Algérie (DZ) – Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33354931
- By habib kaki, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54691568
- By Habib kaki – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32940646
- By Bachir blidi at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2732997
- By Raspynat1234 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114031808
