Harissa

A spicy North African chili paste made with roasted red peppers, hot chiles, and aromatic spices including coriander, cumin, and caraway. Perfect as a condiment or flavoring ingredient.

4 servings
46 min

Ingredients

  • 1 whole red pepper
  • ½ tsp coriander seeds
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • ½ tsp caraway seeds
  • tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small red onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 3 whole hot red chiles
  • tsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Place the pepper under a very hot broiler, turning occasionally for about 25 minutes, until blackened on the outside and completely soft. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to cool. Peel the pepper and discard its skin and seeds.

    25 min

  2. 2.

    Place a dry frying pan over low heat and lightly toast the coriander, cumin, and caraway seeds for 2 minutes. Remove them to a mortar and use a pestle to grind to a powder.

    2 min

  3. 3.

    Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat, and fry the onion, garlic, and chiles for 10 to 12 minutes, until a dark smoky color and almost caramelized.

    12 min

  4. 4.

    Now use a blender or a food processor to blitz together all of the paste ingredients until smooth, adding a little more oil if needed.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Store in a sterilized jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or even longer.

    2 min