Ras el hanout: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Ras |
[[Image:Ras-El-Hanout packed.jpg|thumb|Typical package of ''ras el hanout'' from Morocco]] |
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[[Image:Ras.el.hanout.jpg|thumb|right|''Ras el hanout'' in a bowl]] |
[[Image:Ras.el.hanout.jpg|250px|thumb|right|''Ras el hanout'' in a bowl]] |
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'''''Ras el hanout''''' or '''''rass el hanout''''' ({{lang-ar| |
'''''Ras el hanout''''' or '''''rass el hanout''''' ({{lang-ar|رأس الحانوت}} {{transl|ar|''raʾs al-ḥānūt''}}, {{IPA-ar|rɑʔs ælħɑːnuːt|pron|GeoTrinity Ras-el-Hanout.ogg}}) is a [[spice mix]] from [[North Africa]]. It plays a similar role in North African cuisine as [[garam masala]] does in Indian cuisine. The name in Arabic means "head of the shop" (similar to the English expression "[[top-shelf liquor|top-shelf]]") and implies a mixture of the best spices the seller has to offer.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/ras-el-hanout "Ras el hanout"] at [[bbc.com]] (retrieved 3 August 2016)</ref> Ras el hanout is used in many savory dishes, sometimes rubbed on meat or fish, or stirred into [[couscous]] or [[rice]]. The mix is generally associated with [[Morocco]], although neighboring North African countries use it as well.<ref>Raghaven, Shusheela (2000), Handbook of Spices, Seasonings and Flavorings, 2nd Ed. P 284-285. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, {{ISBN|0-8493-2842-X}}.</ref> |
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There is no definitive composition of spices that makes up ras el hanout. Each shop, company, or family may have their own blend. The mixture usually consists of over a dozen spices, in different proportions. Commonly used ingredients include [[cardamom]], [[cumin]], [[clove]], [[cinnamon]], [[nutmeg]], [[mace (spice)|mace]], [[allspice]], dry [[ginger]], [[chili pepper]]s, <!-- paprika is made of sweet peppers which quite different from chilies which are hot-->[[coriander]] seed, [[peppercorn (fruit)|peppercorn]], sweet and hot [[paprika]], [[fenugreek]], and dry [[turmeric]]. Some spices may be particular to the region, such as [[Rowan#Rowan berries as food|ash berries]], [[chufa]], [[grains of paradise]], [[orris root]], [[monk's pepper]], [[cubeb]]s, dried [[rose]]bud, [[fennel]] seed or [[aniseed]], [[galangal]], [[long pepper]]. Ingredients may be toasted before being ground or pounded in a mortar and mixed together. Some preparations include salt or sugar, but that is generally not the accepted practice. [[Garlic]], [[saffron]], nuts or dry herbs are generally not included, as they are usually added to dishes individually, but some commercial preparations, particularly in Europe and North America, may contain them. |
There is no definitive composition of spices that makes up ras el hanout. Each shop, company, or family may have their own blend. The mixture usually consists of over a dozen spices, in different proportions. Commonly used ingredients include [[cardamom]], [[cumin]], [[clove]], [[cinnamon]], [[nutmeg]], [[mace (spice)|mace]], [[allspice]], dry [[ginger]], [[chili pepper]]s, <!-- paprika is made of sweet peppers which quite different from chilies which are hot-->[[coriander]] seed, [[peppercorn (fruit)|peppercorn]], sweet and hot [[paprika]], [[fenugreek]], and dry [[turmeric]]. Some spices may be particular to the region, such as [[Rowan#Rowan berries as food|ash berries]], [[chufa]], [[grains of paradise]], [[orris root]], [[monk's pepper]], [[cubeb]]s, dried [[rose]]bud, [[fennel]] seed or [[aniseed]], [[galangal]], [[long pepper]]. Ingredients may be toasted before being ground or pounded in a mortar and mixed together. Some preparations include salt or sugar, but that is generally not the accepted practice. [[Garlic]], [[saffron]], nuts or dry herbs are generally not included, as they are usually added to dishes individually, but some commercial preparations, particularly in Europe and North America, may contain them. |
Revision as of 00:53, 28 February 2019
![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2009) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Ras-El-Hanout_packed.jpg/220px-Ras-El-Hanout_packed.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Ras.el.hanout.jpg/250px-Ras.el.hanout.jpg)
Ras el hanout or rass el hanout (Arabic: رأس الحانوت raʾs al-ḥānūt, pronounced [rɑʔs ælħɑːnuːt] ) is a spice mix from North Africa. It plays a similar role in North African cuisine as garam masala does in Indian cuisine. The name in Arabic means "head of the shop" (similar to the English expression "top-shelf") and implies a mixture of the best spices the seller has to offer.[1] Ras el hanout is used in many savory dishes, sometimes rubbed on meat or fish, or stirred into couscous or rice. The mix is generally associated with Morocco, although neighboring North African countries use it as well.[2]
There is no definitive composition of spices that makes up ras el hanout. Each shop, company, or family may have their own blend. The mixture usually consists of over a dozen spices, in different proportions. Commonly used ingredients include cardamom, cumin, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, dry ginger, chili peppers, coriander seed, peppercorn, sweet and hot paprika, fenugreek, and dry turmeric. Some spices may be particular to the region, such as ash berries, chufa, grains of paradise, orris root, monk's pepper, cubebs, dried rosebud, fennel seed or aniseed, galangal, long pepper. Ingredients may be toasted before being ground or pounded in a mortar and mixed together. Some preparations include salt or sugar, but that is generally not the accepted practice. Garlic, saffron, nuts or dry herbs are generally not included, as they are usually added to dishes individually, but some commercial preparations, particularly in Europe and North America, may contain them.
The composition of ras el hanout differs somewhat from the Baharat spice mix, but they differ more by the types of dishes they are associated with and by region rather than the ingredients in them. Although used by Berber people, it should not be confused with "berbere" spice mix from Ethiopia.
Certain supposed aphrodisiacs, including the notoriously dangerous "green metallic beetles", cantharides, have appeared in many Moroccan prescriptions, but these seem to be irrelevant for flavouring purposes.[3]
Notes
- ^ "Ras el hanout" at bbc.com (retrieved 3 August 2016)
- ^ Raghaven, Shusheela (2000), Handbook of Spices, Seasonings and Flavorings, 2nd Ed. P 284-285. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, ISBN 0-8493-2842-X.
- ^ Alan Davidson (21 August 2014). The Oxford Companion to Food. OUP Oxford. pp. 671–672. ISBN 978-0-19-104072-6.
References
- The Gourmet Cookbook, by Ruth Reichl (Ed.), Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-618-37408-6
- The Oxford Companion to Food, by Alan Davidson, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-211579-0