Harissa Recipe - The Super Fiery
Tunisian Spice Blend and Paste

You can buy this fiery Tunisian condiment easily nowadays, but I do recommend you try this homemade harissa recipe. And you also get to choose just how hot it is! I personally use birds eye peppers, but you can choose any you prefer. This is a dry mix which you can use as a seasoning, or combine it with oil to make a paste. 

What You'll Need: (makes 8-9 tablespoons)

½ cup birds eye peppers (or other hot chili pepper)
2 tbsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp coriander seeds 
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp cumin seeds
2 tsp dill seeds
2 tsp caraway seeds
2-3 tsp salt 
3 inch piece of cinnamon
5-6 dried bay leaves

tbsp = tablespoon
tsp = teaspoon

Directions:

  • Break up the cinnamon stick and crumble the bay leaves
  • Chop the peppers into pieces (if they don't fit into your grinder)
  • Add the peppers, bay and cinnamon pieces to your grinder and grind along with the salt, cumin, dill, caraway and coriander seeds
  • Once ground, sieve into a bowl
  • Finally, add the paprika and garlic powders to the bowl. Combine thoroughly

Store this harissa recipe in an airtight jar out of direct sunlight and use within 3 months. (See down page on how to make harissa paste)

Note: You could dry toast the whole peppers, coriander and cumin seeds for a few minutes before cooling and grinding. This will add fab smoky flavours and aromas to your blend. Click here to read more about this. (Link opens in new window)


A Step-by-Step Instructional Video

Here's a video of how I made a version of the above harissa recipe. The ingredients may be very slightly different but the process is exactly the same. If you enjoyed it and have a Youtube account, you can click the SUBSCRIBE button in the bottom right corner in the video, OR click the SUBSCRIBE link below the video...


Click here to Subscribe to my Youtube Channel
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How to Make Harissa Paste

Harissa RecipeHomemade Harissa Recipe

Now you've made the harissa recipe making the paste is super easy!

  • Add 4 tablespoons of the above recipe to your blender or food processor
  • Turn your appliance on and slowly drizzle in some olive oil until it forms a fairly thick, smooth paste
  • If necessary scrape down the sides of your processor and give another spin so it's all combined
  • Finally, add the paste to a jar and cover with a thin layer of oil and put the jar top on

Store in your refrigerator and use within a month or so.

After Making Your Homemade Tunisian Harissa Recipe You May Enjoy...

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