Ras el hanout

⇐ Spice mixes

This is a rather complicated spice mix from Morocco. Claudia Roden claims 27 ingredients including some esoteric ones such as a variety of beetle known as an aphrodisiac. So maybe best bought from a good middle eastern store. But here are a couple of simpler recipes

simple version

BBC Good Food https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ras-el-hanout-spice-mix

2 Tbsp cumin seeds

2 Tbsp coriander seed

1 stick cinnamon, approx 4cm

2 tsp black pepper

10 cardamom pods

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground turmeric

1. Gently toast the whole spices until they are a shade or two darker and aromatic
2. Tip everything into a spice grinder and grind to a powder

for a more esoteric version

Moroccan Cuisine Paula Wolfert

1 whole nutmeg

3 cinnamon sticks

3 blades mace

¼ tsp aniseed

2 pieces fresh turmeric

1 small dried chilli pepper

1 tsp white peppercorns

small piece galangal

½ Tbsp ginger root

2 cloves

6 allspice berries

5 green cardamom pods

and if you can find them

1 black cardamom pod

pinch lavender

½ small piece orris root

3 rosebuds

1. Grind fine in a spice grinder or blender. Grind some sugar afterwards to clean the grinder