Harissa is a spicy chili paste that originated in Libya but has been adopted by many other North African cuisines.
It's made from dried, roasted red peppers, and usually includes garlic, caraway seeds, cumin, and coriander. Then it's mixed with olive oil to make it into a paste. There's also a wonderful version of harissa that's sweeter, called rose harissa, that's made with rose petals.
Harissa is commonly used in shakshouka, on kebabs, in stews and soups, and as a topping for roasted vegetables. It's a great all-purpose condiment and can be used like hot sauce in any number of dishes.
Recipes with Harissa
Harissa is a versatile condiment and can be used in any dish that needs a hit of heat and extra depth of flavor. Here are some of our favorite recipes using harissa.
- Roasted Eggplant and Shrimp with Harissa from This Healthy Table
- Harissa and Maple Roasted Carrots from Bon Appétit
- Coconut Harissa Curry Braised Chicken from Table for Two
- Carrot and Harissa Salad from Lazy Cat Kitchen
- Roast Aubergines with Yogurt and Harissa from BBC Good Food
- Chickpea and Quinoa Harissa Stuffed Peppers from Cupful of Kale
Where to Buy Harissa
If you don't want to make your own harissa paste, you can purchase it online - you can either purchase this spice blend from Frontier and mix it with olive oil to make a paste (this is the best option if you'll only use a little) or purchase a jar of harissa paste from Mina.
If you want to try something unique, this rose harissa is a great option!