What is Ras El Hanout?

 

What is Ras El Hanout?

Ras El Hanout, translating to “head of the shop” is a combination of all the best spices into one. It’s a staple in Moroccan cooking thanks to its intoxicating aroma and deep, warming flavors. The spice blend is incredibly versatile, it adds a depth of flavor to rich stews and complements sweet dishes. 

Historically, spice vendors across North Africa would make Ras El Hanout to showcase the best spices they have to offer (hence its name). 

Ras El Hanout encompasses the many cultures incorporated into Moroccan gastronomy. Centuries ago, when European spice traders went on a search for spices in Southeast Asia, Morocco was often a stopover on their journey. For this reason, many Moroccans adopted a variety of spices into their food. 

 

The Recipe

 

Every family has its own version of the mix, these secret formulas get passed down from generation to generation. It’s unlikely you’ll taste one Ras El Hanout identical to another. Blends can range from as few as 5 to as many as 90 ingredients depending on the region, traditions, and available spices. The core of Ras El Hanout is cardamom, ginger, turmeric, coriander, and clove, from there - it’s all about playing around with spices, dried roots, petals, and leaves.

NY Shuk’s Ras El Hanout:

In every household, the secret formulas get passed down from generation to generation. Our family version of Ras El Hanout is pleasantly warm from turmeric & mace and ginger, and slightly sweet from cinnamon and star anise. 

It has always been New York Shuk’s goal to make our traditional flavors accessible to home cooks, and show the versatility of our products. We intentionally blended our Ras El Hanout to fit in both savory and sweet dishes. It fits perfectly in anything from a rich chicken stew to a fudgy, chocolate dessert.