The Essential Harissa Food

TUNISIAN CARROT SALAD WITH HARISSA

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add the carrot and cook until tender. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine the parsley, cumin, olive oil, vinegar and garlic. Season with harissa, salt and pepper to taste. You can double the harissa if you like things hot and spicy! Pour over the carrots and mix gently to combine.
• To serve, place the carrots in a serving dish and garnish with the olives and eggs.
• NOTE: if the carrots aren't sweet, you can add a touch of honey to the dressing.

FISH FILLETS WITH HARISSA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat half the olive oil in a heavy frying pan. Dust the fish fillets with seasoned flour and sauté over medium heat for 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
• Add the remaining olive oil to the frying pan and add the onion and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, harissa, bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Return the fish to the pan, add the olives and cover the fish with the sauce. Remove the bay leaves and cinnamon stick and continue cooking for 2 minutes or until fish is cooked through.
• Add the lemon juice and parsley and serve.

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.

THE ESSENTIAL HARISSA

Steps:

• Roughly chop the chiles, then cover with boiling water and soak for 1 hour.
• Drain chiles, place in a food processor and add the mint, spices, garlic and only 1 Tbsp of the olive oil and 1/2 tsp salt. Process for 20 seconds, scrape down the side of the bowl, then process for another 30 seconds.
• Add 2 Tbsp of the oil and process again. Repeat and process until a thick paste forms.
• Spoon the paste into a clean jar (see Note), cover with a thin layer of olive oil and seal.
• NOTE: To prepare the storage jar, preheat the oven to very slow (120F). Wash the jar and lid in hot soapy water and rinse in hot water. Put jar in the over for 20 minutes or till fully dry. Do NOT dry with a tea towel.
• This hot pepper sauce will kep in the fridge for up to six months.