Ras el hanout spices

The Raz El Hanout: Morocco's Perfumes Exalted in an Intoxicating Spice Blend

The Raz el hanout is a traditional spice blend from Morocco, essential in tagines or couscous. Its spicy, warm, and enchanting flavors will beautifully complement Western dishes.

How is Raz el Hanout Prepared?

A Masterful Composition, Unique to Each Spice Merchant

Raz el hanout is a spice blend that can contain up to 30 ingredients, depending on the taste and inspiration of the spice merchant preparing it. There is no exhaustive recipe. However, some ingredients are essential! This includes cumin, cubeb pepper, ginger, nutmeg, turmeric, cinnamon, fenugreek, and green anise.

At Terre Exotique, we've added cloves, green cardamom, a hint of allspice, as well as brown sugar and a touch of paprika. A bit of nutmeg and some rose petals complete this subtle recipe. Each spice merchant creates their own recipe like a bouquet of flowers.

Raz el Hanout: A Kind of Moroccan "Massala"

Like Indian curry, Raz el hanout is a spice blend that reflects Moroccan culture. Each spice merchant creates their own recipe like a bouquet of flowers. This "massala" (blend in Indian) perfumes your recipes and transports you to the Orient, into the lively streets of Fez. The spices are dried.

Let Yourself Be Enchanted by the Warm and Suave Aromas of Raz el Hanout

Raz el hanout is a deliciously spicy, warm, and suave flavor. This blend is both salty and sweet, presenting complex and harmonious notes. Beware, if you are new to the world of spices, Terre Exotique's Raz el hanout possesses a fiery spicy force that may surprise you. Be sure to master the doses to gradually get accustomed to its aromatic power.

How to Use Raz el Hanout in Cooking?

Lamb Shank with Terre Exotique Raz el Hanout

Designed for those who love tales, this Lamb Shank from One Thousand and One Nights enchants the senses and the imagination... Prior to cooking, prick a lamb shank with 2 cloves of garlic. Mix 1 tablespoon of Raz el hanout with olive oil, honey, and freshly chopped coriander. Coat the lamb shank with this mixture and cover. Let it marinate for at least two hours then cook for another two hours at 180°C. Midway through cooking, add 15 cl of water to the dish. You can accompany this delicious lamb shank with couscous adorned with dried fruits. Enjoy your meal!

Easy and Creative Recipes with Raz el Hanout

- Comforting Raz el Hanout Chakchouka:

In a skillet, sauté a chopped onion and a clove of minced garlic in a drizzle of olive oil, then add peeled and diced tomatoes and bell peppers. Generously sprinkle with Raz el hanout and let it cook for about twenty minutes. Then, crack 4 eggs into the skillet and cover for a few minutes without stirring. It's ready, enjoy!

- Moroccan Potato Salad:

Cook firm potatoes. Then add chopped coriander, a chopped onion, a tablespoon of Raz el hanout. Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and chill before serving.

- Spiced Nuts for Appetizers:

In a saucepan, melt butter, honey, brown sugar, a teaspoon of salt, and a teaspoon of Raz el hanout. Add 200 grams of nuts and gently cook until the mixture is well coated. Bake the nuts in the oven for about fifteen minutes and serve!

Origins and History of Raz el Hanout

What Does "Raz el Hanout" Mean?

The origin of the term Raz el hanout is said to come from Arabic, meaning "the head of the shop." This would indicate that only a highly qualified person could compose it in accordance with the rules of the art. For some, it means "top of the basket" or "front of the shelf," and the meaning would then be slightly different. It is understood that this blend consists of the most prestigious spices of the spice merchant, made according to a complex recipe. The term would then refer to the preciousness of Raz el hanout, justifying its price.

This preparation comes from the "hadarias" cities (Fez, Rabat, etc.) whose elegance, refinement, art of living, and gastronomy have been radiating for over 1,200 years. Like a perfume, this composition is a matter of the nose. It takes a lot of experience and inspiration to achieve the perfect blend, understand the subtlety of the proportions, and find the balance of flavors!

An Essential Spice Blend in Moroccan Cuisine

Raz el hanout (or ras el hanout) is a widely used spice blend in Morocco. It is essential in tagines, couscous, and pastillas, but it is also easily used in Western cuisine. Tradition has it that at least one of the spices used in the recipe is aphrodisiac... In this recipe, you'll find ground ginger!

Indispensable for the Eid al-Adha festival, which celebrates the end of Ramadan, it is used to flavor a large number of recipes shared among family and friends, whether savory or sweet. Indeed, Raz el hanout pairs very well with honey and almonds, key ingredients in oriental pastries. In some regions of Morocco, it is even used to enhance coffee. Give it a try!