Fragrant Moroccan Ras el Hanout
Vegan spice mix · Serves 1 · Ready in 15 min
A heady, warmly aromatic blend of toasted whole spices ground to a rich terracotta powder, ras el hanout is the crown jewel of Moroccan cooking — complex, floral, and deeply fragrant. Toast and grind the spices yourself and the difference is immediate: vivid colour, bold flavour, and an intoxicating scent that fills the kitchen. Keep a jar to hand for tagines, couscous, roasted vegetables, and marinades.
Details
- Author: CuisineSavvy
- Cuisine: Moroccan
- Course: Spice Mix
- Servings: 1
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Diet: Vegan
Nutritional Values
This recipe is naturally and entirely plant-based — every ingredient is a dried spice, seed, or flower, so no animal-ingredient swaps were needed. Cumin and coriander seeds provide antioxidants and support digestion; turmeric contributes curcumin, a well-studied anti-inflammatory compound; ginger and black pepper add further anti-inflammatory properties, and black pepper also enhances curcumin absorption. Cinnamon has been associated with blood-sugar regulation, and cardamom is rich in antioxidants. Optional saffron is one of the world's most antioxidant-dense spices, while dried rose petals add delicate polyphenols. Salt is not required in a spice blend of this intensity, making it a valuable low-sodium flavour tool for everyday cooking.
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Ingredients
Instructions
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Fragrant Moroccan Ras el Hanout A heady, warmly aromatic blend of toasted whole spices ground to a rich terracotta powder, ras el hanout is the crown jewel of Moroccan cooking — complex, floral, and deeply fragrant. Toast and grind the spices yourself and the difference is immediate: vivid colour, bold flavour, and an intoxicating scent that fills the kitchen. Keep a jar to hand for tagines, couscous, roasted vegetables, and marinades. Ingredients [ ] 2 tsp cumin seeds [ ] 2 tsp coriander seeds [ ] 1 tsp black peppercorns [ ] 1 tsp allspice berries [ ] 6 green cardamom pods, seeds only [ ] ½ tsp whole cloves [ ] 1 tsp ground cinnamon (or one 5 cm cinnamon stick, broken) [ ] 1 tsp ground turmeric [ ] 1 tsp ground ginger [ ] ½ tsp freshly grated or ground nutmeg [ ] ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat) [ ] Optional: a small pinch of saffron threads (about 10–15 threads) [ ] Optional: 1 tsp dried rose petals (food-grade, unsprayed) Instructions [ ] 1. Measure out the whole spices: cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, allspice berries, cardamom seeds (removed from their pods), and cloves. [ ] 2. If using a cinnamon stick instead of ground cinnamon, break it into small pieces. [ ] 3. Place a small dry frying pan over a medium-low heat and add all the whole spices (and the cinnamon stick pieces if using) in a single layer. [ ] 4. Toast, stirring constantly, for 2–3 minutes until the spices are fragrant and just beginning to darken — do not leave them unattended. [ ] 5. When the spices are fragrant and just beginning to darken, tip them immediately onto a cold plate or into a bowl to stop the cooking. [ ] 6. Leave the toasted spices to cool completely. [ ] 7. When the spices are fully cool, transfer them to a spice grinder or pestle and mortar and grind to a fine powder. [ ] 8. Tip the freshly ground spices into a bowl and add the ground turmeric, ground ginger, ground cinnamon (if not using a stick), nutmeg, and cayenne pepper if using. [ ] 9. If using saffron, crumble the threads into the bowl. [ ] 10. If using dried rose petals, crumble them finely into the bowl. [ ] 11. Stir everything together thoroughly until the blend is an even, deep terracotta colour with no streaks. [ ] 12. Transfer the blend to a clean, dry airtight jar and seal tightly. [ ] 13. Store in a cool, dark place — the blend keeps at full potency for up to 3 months and remains usable for up to 6 months. [ ] 14. Use 1–2 teaspoons per serving to season tagines, soups, couscous, roasted vegetables, chickpea stews, or as a dry rub for tofu or tempeh before grilling or roasting. https://www.cuisinesavvy.com/recipe/fragrant-moroccan-ras-el-hanout
External Recipes
- Ras El Hanout Fait Maison (Health Score: 75)
HealthScore: 81
A purely whole-spice blend with no oil, salt, or additives — as clean as a condiment gets. It seasons beautifully but contributes almost nothing by itself; the healthfulness of your meal depends entirely on what you cook with it.