Hawaij spice (also known as Hawayej, Hawaj, and Hawayij) means "mixture" in Arabic. It's a spice blend with primarily cumin and black pepper and often contains cardamom, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
There are two primary blends of hawaij - one for savory dishes and one used in coffee and desserts.
Hawaij is primarily used in Yemeni and Israeli cuisine.
The savory mixture is often used in soups, curry dishes, and rubs on meat.
The mixture for coffee and desserts can be used in cakes and other baked goods. Examples of recipes using hawaij can be found below.
How to Use Hawaij
Hawaij is such an interesting spice blend because it can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. If you’re looking for a creative way to use hawaij, try our delicious Hawaij Chicken Recipe.
Alternatives for Hawaij
If you can't find hawaij or don't have all the ingredients to make the hawaij blend, you can use a mixture of equal parts black pepper and cumin.
Hawaij Spice Blend
This hawaij spice blend can be used in savory dishes - like soups, curries, and as a rub on meat.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cumin seeds
- ¼ cup whole black peppercorns
- 3 tablespoons turmeric
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander seeds
- 1 tablespoon green cardamom pods
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
Instructions
- Heat a small frying pan over low heat.
- Combine all the spices in the pan and stir to combine. Let toast for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Grind the toasted spices in a spice mill or with a mortar and pestle.
- Save in an airtight container for up to a month.
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