Easy Harissa Paste Recipe Minimalist Baker Recipes from minimalistbaker.com
Introduction
Harissa is a fiery red paste that originated from North Africa, particularly Tunisia. It's a staple condiment in the region and is used as a flavoring agent in a variety of dishes. It's made from a blend of roasted red peppers, hot chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices. Harissa has a smoky, spicy flavor and is versatile enough to be used as a marinade, a dip, or a spread. In this article, we'll be sharing a simple harissa recipe that you can make at home.
Ingredients
The ingredients required to make harissa are readily available in most grocery stores. Here's what you'll need:
12 dried chili peppers (such as guajillo or ancho)
2 red bell peppers
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Making harissa at home is a straightforward process. Here's how you can make it:
Start by toasting the dried chili peppers in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant.
Remove the stems and seeds from the chili peppers and place them in a bowl.
Boil some water and pour it over the chili peppers, then let them soak for about 30 minutes or until they're soft.
While the chili peppers are soaking, roast the red bell peppers. You can do this by placing them on a baking sheet and broiling them in the oven until the skin is charred and blistered.
Remove the bell peppers from the oven and place them in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let them steam for about 10 minutes.
Once the bell peppers are cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and remove the seeds.
Place the soaked chili peppers, roasted bell peppers, garlic, tomato paste, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and salt in a food processor.
Blend the ingredients until they form a smooth paste. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little water or olive oil to thin it out.
Taste the harissa and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
Transfer the harissa to a jar or container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Nutrition
Harissa is a low-calorie condiment that's packed with flavor. Here's a breakdown of the nutrition information for one tablespoon of harissa:
Calories: 20
Total fat: 2g
Saturated fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 80mg
Total carbohydrates: 2g
Dietary fiber: 1g
Total sugars: 0g
Protein: 0g
Conclusion
Making harissa at home is a great way to add some spice and flavor to your meals. This versatile condiment is easy to make and can be used in a variety of dishes. Try using it as a marinade for meat, a dip for vegetables, or a spread for sandwiches. With this simple harissa recipe, you'll have a flavorful condiment that you can enjoy for weeks to come.
