Ras el hanout
A Moroccan blend whose name means head of the shop, the best the spice seller can mix.
Also: rass el hanout, head of the shop, Moroccan spice mix
Ras el hanout is a North African blend made from a long list of ingredients, often a dozen or more and sometimes over thirty. Common components are cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, cloves, allspice, paprika and dried rose petals. Historically, some included prized items such as grains of paradise, long pepper or cubeb. The name expresses the idea of a spice seller's best, so every shop's blend is a signature. It seasons tagines, couscous, rice, lamb and roasted vegetables. It is added at the start or middle of cooking, and varies widely in sweetness and heat.