Ras el Hanout: Morocco's Head of Shop Blend

What Is Ras el Hanout?

Ras el hanout translates to 'head of the shop' in Arabic. It represents the finest spice blend a Moroccan spice merchant (attar) can create. Recipes vary wildly — some contain over 30 ingredients.

Common Ingredients

Cardamom, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, dry ginger, chili pepper, coriander, peppercorn, sweet and hot paprika, fenugreek, and dry turmeric.

Uses in Moroccan Cuisine

• Tagines: Lamb and prune, chicken and preserved lemon
• Couscous: The seven-vegetable version
• Mrouzia: Sweet-savory lamb dish for Eid
• Pastilla: Pigeon or chicken pie with cinnamon dusting

Buying Tips

The best ras el hanout comes from Moroccan souks where attars blend it fresh. Pre-packaged versions lose complexity. Look for blends with 15+ ingredients.

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