Recipes
Harissa and Vegetable Couscous
This recipe has been a long time coming. Hardly anyone who comes in to the shop -- spice masters and novices alike -- can pass over the North African section without some long, lingering sniffs. The spices from that region are so exotic, in their perfect union of sweet-spicy-aromatic. "How do you use the Harissa?" is one of the most common questions following the exclamations of delight. And though my fellow merchants and I have written versions of this recipe on many a business card, envelope, and scratch paper, it's about time it took its place among our favorites here on the blog.The tender-crisp vegetables and fluffy couscous are a perfect vehicle for this sumptuous sauce, our version of the traditional Tunisian red pepper condiment that is so ubiquitous in Northern Africa. The cumin, coriander, and caraway add complexity and depth, with the guajillos lending just enough heat to be interesting without being overwhelming. You can also try the Harissa sauce on grilled meats or eggplant -- or even on halibut!
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Green Za'atar Flatbread
After a long day of working, I just want something quick and easy for dinner, but it still has to be delicious... And if it's at least somewhat healthy-ish, all the better! I don't know about you, but I can always eat pizza, in pretty much any form. I can always find ready-made pizza dough at the store, which means my homemade pizzas or flatbreads can be made without any fuss.There's also something incredibly soothing about rolling out pizza dough. The smell of the yeast takes me back to childhood when I would help my mother make bread. After I roll out the dough, brush it with olive oil, then top it with spices.I'll rifle around in my fridge or the cupboards of my small kitchen for odds and ends of goodies that I can either put on the dough before I bake it, or after it comes out of the oven. It all depends on my mood at the moment. Green Za'atar is my favorite spice to use for this, but I also love Hazelnut Dukkah. The smell of the flatbread baking is heavenly, and always seems to perk me up a little bit. It's a perfect end to a hectic day.
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Berbere Ketchup
Folks just love their ketchup. Whether it's for fries, hashbrowns or barbecues, there's always a bottle in the refrigerator. Next time you find yourself in need of this essential condiment, use our simple recipe to make this version at home.We like our this recipe spicy, so we've added one of our favorite blends to it. Berbere is most commonly used in North African stews or roasted meats, but it has an affinity for ketchup. We like to keep some on hand all summer for dipping fries, topping burgers and hot dogs, or to use as a "secret ingredient" in BBQ sauces.
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