Spices For Moroccan Cuisine

By Caroline Anderson April 1, 2023 16 mins read 217 Views

Whether you are preparing your favorite Moroccan dishes or trying to add more depth and complexity to your meals, you will want to use a variety of spices.

Ras el Hanout and harissa are two classic Moroccan spice blends that you should try.

These blends are made up of a number of spices that have been mixed together to create a rich and flavorful seasoning mix. They can be used to season meats, vegetables, soups, and rice dishes.

Ras el hanout

Originally from North Africa, ras el hanout is a versatile spice mix that can be used in tagines, stews, rice dishes and vegetables. This aromatic blend combines sweet and spicy flavors to add color and flavor to Moroccan cuisine.

This spice blend can include as many as 40 different spices, with some recipes claiming to use up to 100. No two ras el hanout recipes are the same.

This complex North African spice blend varies from region to region, from shop owner to shop owner and from family to family. Common ingredients include cinnamon, cumin, cloves, cardamom, mace, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, paprika and coriander seed.

Harissa

Harissa is a popular North African condiment that's traditionally served alongside bread, stews and couscous dishes. The recipe varies from region to region and even family to family, but it always has at least one key ingredient: red chilies.

A spoonful of this hot and garlicky condiment brings depth to salads, soups and grilled vegetables. It's also a fantastic marinade or rub for meat, poultry or fish.

The heat from harissa's roasted pepper base can be diluted by adding lemon juice and oil. For a more mild version, roast fresh chile varieties such as serranos or pasillas; for a punchy zing, use dried peppers.

Turmeric

Turmeric is an important spice in Moroccan cuisine. It is used for its bright yellow coloring and earthy, gingery flavor.

Turmeric comes from the root (or rhizome) of the curcuma longa plant that is native to South Asia. It looks similar to ginger and is boiled and dried before turning into the familiar golden powder that we know as turmeric.

It is a great addition to a number of dishes, but is particularly popular in Moroccan tagines. It adds a distinctive color and a unique flavor to slow-cooked meat and vegetable stews that can be served with couscous or bread.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek, also known as helba in Arabic, is a distinctive spice that's commonly used in Moroccan dishes. It's especially popular in rfissa medhoussa, or trid, which is a delicious chicken and lentil stew.

If you can't find fenugreek seeds or leaves, it's possible to replace them with other ingredients. For example, alfalfa sprouts, which have a similar bitter flavor to fenugreek, can be substituted at a 1:1 ratio.

Another option is to use ground mustard seed, which gives the dish a hint of nutty and earthy flavor. You can also try adding a drizzle of maple syrup, which will mimic the sweetness of fenugreek and add a pleasant note to the dish.

Ginger

Ginger (skinjbir in Moroccan Arabic) is a key spice in many Moroccan dishes. It has a refreshingly spicy flavor, and is often used to complement zesty citrus fruits.

Another essential Moroccan spice is turmeric, which adds a bright yellow color and mildly astringent flavor to savory foods. It’s especially useful in tajines, and is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Other important spices in Moroccan cuisine include black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, saffron, and aniseed. Each of these flavors has a distinct taste and aroma that enhances the overall flavor of a dish.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a wonderful spice that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. This popular spice comes in sticks or ground and can be found at most grocery stores.

While cinnamon is most often found in desserts and milk tea, it can also be used to add a savory dimension to stewed meats and roasted chicken. The nutty and spicy flavor of this spice works well with many other spices in Moroccan cuisine.

You can find a variety of different Moroccan spice blends at most grocery stores. One of the most common is ras el hanout, which is a mixture of at least a dozen spices and possibly more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Thai use ginger?

The answer is yes. The traditional Thai cooking uses ginger heavily. Ginger is used extensively in Thai traditional cooking. It's often added to soups and stir-fries, and it's also common in desserts and drinks like lassis.

Ginger is native to China, Japan, and Korea, and its origins date back more than 5,000 years. It is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia, where it was cultivated for medicinal purposes.

Ginger has been shown to reduce nausea and stimulate digestion. It may even help prevent migraines. Ginger also helps to relieve muscle spasms, reduce joint pain, and treat arthritis.

Ginger is often eaten fresh in Thailand. The ginger root is then cut into thin strips. Once dried, it can be stored for future use. From Asian markets, ginger root can be bought in cans and jars.

What are the best Thai spices to use?

Galangal, galangal, coriander, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and clove are the best Thai herbs. Some other good spices include cayenne pepper, clove, cardamom, black peppercorn, fennel seeds, star anise, and cloves.

Some other valuable spices include rose petals, bay leaves, curry leaves, pandan leaves, kaffir lime leaves, vanilla beans, tamarind pods, lemon grass, basil, and mint.

What are the 7 Indian spices?

Indian spices refers to a variety of spices that are used in Indian cooking. They include coriander and turmeric as well as cardamom, cumin and coriander. This spice blends natural ingredients to create flavour and aroma. Combining spices creates unique flavour profiles that make Indian food so special.

Cardamom has a pungent, sweet taste with hints o citrus and ginger. It's used in many dishes, including biryani and curries. Cumin is a spice with an earthy smell and a rich, nuanced flavour. It is used to spice up curries, dals and meat dishes. Coriander's sweet, citrus aroma adds a subtle sweetness to dishes. It is used often to season vegetables and lentils.

Turmeric has an earthy, spicy flavour that includes mustard, spices and pepper hints. This spice is used in many dishes, including curries. It has a golden colour. Fenugreek possesses a rich, earthy scent, slightly bitter flavour, and earthy tone tones. It is often used in seasoning meat dishes like kebabs, curries, and kebabs. Ginger is pungent and spicy with hints o citrus. It gives a great kick to soups, curries, and chutneys. Asafoetida or hing has a pungent scent and strong taste that can replace onion and garlic for some recipes.

Together, these spices create unique flavors that make Indian cooking so distinct.

What's the difference in cooking with whole vs. ground spices? Ground Spices?

There isn't any difference between cooking with whole spices and ground spices. After harvesting, spices are ground. The quality is the same.

However, the price difference is substantial. Whole spices are more expensive because of the labor required to process them. But the taste is worth it.

Bulk purchases of whole spices can often get you additional discounts. For example, you might receive a discount if you buy an entire bag of cinnamon sticks.

This is true for cloves, ginger and cardamom. This can help you save money on spices if you buy them in bulk.

Ground spices don't last as long as whole spices. This is because ground spices lose their potency quickly due to oxidation.

Whole spices are a great way to add personality and flavor to your recipe.

A delicious curry can be made with whole turmeric as opposed to ground turmeric. Or you can grind whole coriander seeds to create a spice blend for chicken dishes.

Grinding spices takes time. If you're buying whole spices it makes sense for you to buy large quantities. You won't run low on spices if you buy large quantities.

Statistics

India contributes to 75% of global spice production. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a recent survey, professional chefs and many home cooks use spices; usage has only continued to grow from 2011 to now. (hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu)
According to Healthline, pink Himalayan salt is estimated to contain up to 84 minerals and trace elements, which gives the salt its special pink color. (spicecravings.com)

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How To

Are You able to make curry paste?

Curry paste includes dried chillies (scallions, shallots), galangal root and lemongrass as well as kaffir lime leaves, garlic, shrimp pastes, sugar, salt and sometimes coconut milk. It's used extensively in Thai cuisine.

Curry paste is a very popular condiment in Southeast Asia. Curry paste can add a distinct flavour to many dishes like curries.

It's very simple to make this at home. Follow our step-bystep guide below.

Step1 - Prepare Ingredients

You need to prepare all ingredients before starting this recipe.
Peel and chop shallots (about two cups). Then, cut the galangal roots into small pieces (approximately 3 inches in length), and then set aside.
Next, cut four garlic cloves into pieces. Peel and finely mince lemongrass stems (about 1/2 inch thick).
Crush the red chilli peppers with about four tablespoons of water and remove the seeds.
Next, cut the kaffir-lime leaves into thin strips (5 inches). Set aside the white portion of the stem.
Then drain the shrimp paste (6 ounces) and then coarsely mash it.
Last, take out the salt and sugar.

Step2 - Grind Ingredients

Grind all ingredients together until smooth.
It should have a texture similar to peanut butter.
Take note: If you are looking to reduce oil in your dish you can add water to the mix.

Step3 - Add Coconut Milk

Mix coconut milk with the mixture.
Add coconut milk slowly so that the paste does not become too sticky.
You can reduce the amount of chillies and increase the quantity of galangal root if you prefer it less spicy.
You may prefer it hotter, so add more chilies or less galangalroot. The final result should taste good to you.

Step4: Serve