Taste the World: Ras el Hanout

Taste the World is an exploration of spices around the world.  Each month we will provide a small amount of a different spice or spice blend from a different part of the world.  Cook with the spice and join us for a Zoom discussion of what we each made.  Participants will share tips, recipes and opinions of how their sampling the spices went. 

In September we will be cooking with Ras el Hanout.

Ras el hanout is a complex, aromatic spice blend that's famously associated with Moroccan cuisine. 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 very best offering in a spice shop. 

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 but also in personal preferences.  (from SpruceEats)

It is also easy to make your own.  

Here is where you can find some inspiration on how to use it. 

https://www.sumptuousspoonfuls.com/the-premier-spice-mix-ras-el-hanout/

https://www.oola.com/life-in-flavor/2554697/what-is-ras-el-hanout-and-what-can-you-make-with-it/

https://food52.com/recipes/search?q=ras%20el%20hanout

You will receive an email when your kit is ready to be picked up. Alternately, please email me when you register if you do not need a kit. 

You will receive an email with the Zoom link approximately an hour before the discussion starts.