A Simple Harissa Food

EASY HARISSA

Steps:

• Combine the spices in a small frying pan set over medium heat.
• Allow the spices to toast for a few minutes, giving the pan a shake regularly to prevent the spices from burning.
• The spices will become aromatic and start to pop. Remove from the heat. Grind with a pestle and mortar until fine.
• The easiest way to char peppers is over an open flame, like a gas hob. You can also do it under a hot broiler. Char the peppers until blackened all around then transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
• Allow to steam for 20 minutes then peel off the charred skin. De-seed the peppers and set aside.
• Combine the peppers, chillies, peeled garlic cloves, tomato paste, spices, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in the bowl of a food processor and blend.
• Adjust seasoning if necessary then transfer to a sealable jar or container.

HARISSA

Steps:

• Break up chili peppers, remove the stems and seeds, and discard. Wear disposable gloves if working with medium-hot or hot peppers.
• Place chili peppers in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak until softened, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well, then dab dry with paper towels.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet over very low heat and cook garlic until soft but still pale, about 3 minutes. Let cool, then transfer to the food processor together along with the chili peppers.
• Toast caraway seeds, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds in the skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Crush them in a mortar and add to the food processor. Process while slowly adding remaining olive oil, scraping down the sides of the food processor as needed. Season with salt.
• Spoon harissa into a sterilized glass jar and level the top. Add enough olive oil so the surface is covered and the harissa won't dry out. Seal and refrigerate.

A SIMPLE HARISSA

Steps:

• Cut the tomatoes in half and gently wring out the seeds and liquid over the sink. Grate each tomato half on the coarse side of a grater into a bowl by holding the cut side of the tomato half against the grater and grating the flesh just to the skin. Discard the skin. Grate the onion into the bowl. Stir in the parsley, paprika, oil, and lemon juice, salt and black pepper to taste; the mixture should be highly seasoned. Serve immediately, or no longer than 4 hours after making, at room temperature.
• Note: Fora milder harissa, omit the hot paprika or cayenne pepper.