Tabil
A Tunisian blend built on coriander seed, caraway, garlic and chilli, used to season stews and fish.
Also: tābil, tabel, Tunisian coriander blend, tebel
Tabil, the Arabic and Tunisian word for coriander seed and for the blend it leads, is made from toasted coriander, caraway, garlic, dried red chilli and sometimes cumin or mint. The mixture is sold in markets and ground at home with a mortar. It seasons lamb, chickpea soups, fish stews and bean dishes, and is a base of Tunisian harissa variants. Tabil is a good example of how a single spice name can describe both the ingredient and the blend. The toasted coriander gives citrus and nut notes, and caraway adds a sharp anise sweetness that cuts through oily food.