Toasting the cumin and coriander seeds, the cinnamon and whole cloves — before blending them with the other spices in the mix — awakens their flavour and fragrance.
Smoked paprika adds magic to both blanched and unblanched almonds. You can use substitutes, such as sweet or hot paprika, ground cumin or curry powder.
This ground beef dish is made special by adding a spice blend of paprika, ginger and cumin. Serve over a couscous for an easy-to-make dinner.
Charmoula is a Moroccan seasoning mixture of fresh herbs (coriander and parsley) and spices (paprika, cumin and cinnamon). Adding the herbs at the end gives the freshest, brightest flavour.
Harissa paste—a North African condiment made with chilies, cumin and coriander—spices up this simple grilled dish. On another night, try the harissa glaze on grilled steak or salmon.
Dukkah is an Egyptian blend of nuts, seeds and spices. Recipes vary, but most consist of nuts, sesame seeds and cumin and coriander. For best flavour, toast the nuts and seeds before grinding to a fine powder.
Tagine is a stew eaten all over Morocco served in earthenware pots of the same name. All tagines start with a spice base, often including cinnamon, saffron, turmeric and cumin. Serve with lemon wedges over couscous or with flatbread to soak up the delicious juices.
Everyday ground spices add oodles of flavour to simple ground beef. If spicy dishes are right up your alley, add a generous pinch of cayenne pepper along with the cumin and curry powder. Serve topped with a dollop of yogurt, if desired. Cost: $2.40/serving
Brushed with aromatic chili oil and finished with a squeeze of lime, this hot-and-sour twist on a classic side dish will appeal to those who prefer savouries over sweets. Save leftover oil to use in stir-fries or toss with potatoes before roasting.For a milder dish, try the Cumin Lime Squash variation.
Think of carrots as the canvas on which you can paint a whole spectrum of flavours. Here, it's cumin for a mild Moroccan twist; in the variation, it's ginger and lemon for an East Asian accent. Both are nutritious, all-season, multi-purpose sides that complement poultry, pork, lamb and vegetarian dishes.
