What is Ras el Hanout? Ras el Hanout is a Middle Eastern spice blend used in tagines, soups, rice dishes, and on vegetables. In Arabic, Ras el Hanout means "head of the shop", a phrase that basically means top-shelf, signifying that this spice blend is the best thing in the shop. There isn't really one …
Middle Eastern cuisine uses some of the most exciting spices and spice blends in the world. Richly aromatic and deeply flavorful, these spices are one of the reasons Middle Eastern cuisine is so beloved around the world. Here are the most important spices and spice blends in Arabic cuisine, that you should make sure to …
What is Aleppo Pepper? Aleppo pepper (or Halaby pepper) is a Middle Eastern spice made from a dried chili pepper that's crushed into flakes. It's similar to an Ancho chili in terms of heat and has undertones of sweetness and a raisin-like flavor. It's named after the Syrian city of Aleppo although it's also grown …
Fajita seasoning is a zesty, Mexican-style rub for tacos, fajitas, and more. You can make your fajita spice blend at home with just a few simple spices. Fajita seasoning can be used as a marinade for steak and chicken, sprinkled on grilled veggies, in shrimp tacos, and in quesadillas. What is fajita seasoning made of? …
Italian seasoning is a versatile herb blend that can be used to flavor Italian and other Mediterranean dishes. It's easy to make your own Italian seasoning blend at home. An Italian seasoning blend is actually just a compilation of herbs that are often used in Italian cooking (like marjoram, basil, and oregano), however, it may …
Mahlab is the pit of a small sour cherry tree (St. Lucy's) found in the Mediterranean. The pits are cracked and then ground, to form a powder. It has a fruity flavor but is also bitter. How Do You Use Mahlab? Mahlab is often used in Middle Eastern baked goods, like bread and cookies. It …
Fenugreek is used as both a herb (dried leaves) and a spice (seeds). It's used in many dishes from the Indian Subcontinent and is a key component of several spice blends - including sambar, panch phoron (Indian five spice), and berbere. Although fenugreek is primarily grown in India, it's used in cuisines around the world …
Cardamom is a spice made from seed pods - the most common of which have a papery green skin. Cardamom is highly aromatic and prized around the world. It's the third most expensive spice (only eclipsed by saffron and vanilla). It's unique, strong flavor is both sweet and spicy, making it an ideal ingredient for …
Shichimi Togarashi or Japanese 7 Spice blend is a peppery Japanese spice blend, typically made from a mix of chili peppers, orange peel, sesame seeds, ginger, and nori. It was originally made by Japanese merchants in the 17th century. Schichi means "seven" in Japanese and togarashi means "peppers". How Do You Use Shichimi Togarashi? Shichimi …
Star anise is the prettiest of spices! The iconic star shape has eight points and is actually fruit harvested from an evergreen tree native to China and Vietnam. Star anise produces an oil that's fragrant enough to be used in cosmetics and perfumes. How Do You Use Star Anise? Star anise is used in cooking …
