This is step by step tutorial on how to make spice blends, pastes and sauces at home. In this video we will make Za'atar, Harissa and Garam Masala.
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to my channel. In this video I will show you how to make several popular spice blends and spice paste at the convenience of your own home. In addition I will share with you some useful techniques and tips which you can apply to make your own spice creations.
Why would you make your own spice blends:
First of all, it is very easy
It is a lot fresher than a store bought.
Once you will try homemade blend or paste/sauce, you will not buy one in a store.
Before we start making out first blend, let me give you several tips:
Don’t make a lot of spice blend at once, spices lose their flavor as soon as you grind them…so make as much as you need for a short period of time.
Store spices in a cool and dark place in an air tight container
Always label your spice mix with the date…..so you know how long it has been around.
First, let’s start with Za’atar spice blend
What is Za’atar blend
It is very popular spice mix in Mediterranean cuisine
Za’atar has a lot of health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties.
You can use it as seasoning and condiment. It gives a very well rounded herbal flavor.
For this spice blend you only need 4 ingredients…so it is super simple to make.
Ingredients to make it ( makes 2 ½ tablespoons )
Thyme - 2 tbsp
Sesame seeds - 1 ½ tsp
Sumac - 1 tsp
Table salt - pinch
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Collect all the spices.
I highly recommend toasting whole and ground spices to release aromatic oils. Plus, toasting spices dries them out a bit, which makes them easier to grind. Toast spices on the skillet for a few minutes until you start feeling an aromatic flavor.
Cool them down and then transfer spices to a spice grinder or a coffee grinder to finely ground. All done, our Za’atar mix is ready!
How to use Za’atar:
Sprinkle it over eggs
Combine with olive oil to make a paste to bake on top of the bread
It also goes well with roasted potatoes or fries
You can even combine it with breading
Ok, now let’s make Harissa paste:
Harissa paste is a North African chili paste or a hot sauce ( if you want, you can make it a little or a very spicy )
Ingredients ( makes 1 cup )
Extra-virgin olive oil - ½ cup
Garlic cloves - 6 pcs
Lemon juice - 2 tbsp ( half a lemon )
Paprika ( sweet or smokey ) - 2 tbsp
Mix of Aleppo & Chili peppers - 3-4 dried peppers ( or 2 ½ tbsp of dried red pepper )
Sweet red bell pepper ( roasted ) - 1 pcs
Tomato paste - 2 tbsp
Coriander - 2 tbsp
Cumin - 2 tsp
Table salt - 1 tsp
Roast bell pepper in the oven for 20 min at 400°F
Rehydrate dried peppers. Put them in hot water under the lid for 30 minutes. Remove seeds if you want less spicy paste. If you want more heat, keep some seeds in.
Peel garlic.
Toast cumin and coriander to enhance flavor. When cooled down, finely crush them in the spice grinder.
Cooking tip: If you don’t have a spice grinder or coffee grinder, use manual methods such as mortar and pestle, rolling pin or bottom of the skillet against the wooden board. Manual method works well for small amounts of spices.
Now, mix all ingredients in the food processor until it becomes a paste. Stream in oil in the process. Now, taste it to see if it needs more salt.
How to use Harissa:
Use with chicken, vegetables, meat or fish. Also, it works great as a marinade. Eat with bread and olive oil. You can add it to shakshuka and pretty much use it as a hot sauce.
Last, but not least Garam Masala spice blend
Garam masala is a spice blend widely used in Indian cuisine, from curries and lentil dishes to soups. Also, Garam Masala makes a great seasoning for meat.
Ingredients ( makes 3 ½ tbsp )
Black peppercorns - 1 tbsp
Coriander seeds - 2 ½ tsp
Cardamom pods - 1 ½ tsp
Cumin seeds - 1tsp
Cinnamon stick - 3 inch
Bay leaves - 2 pcs
Star anise pods - 6pcs
Collect all spices
Toast spices on the skillet to bring out the flavor
Process all ingredients in the spice grinder for 20-30 seconds until finely groud
All done, your spice mix is ready!
Add this spice mix at the end of the cooking process to add more amazing flavor and aroma to your dish!
And final cooking tip for today:
Sprinkle food with seasoning from about a foot hight above the dish.....it makes seasoning distribute more evenly and as result your dish will taste better.
I hope you like this video, leave comments if you have other spice making tips you would like to share.
Remember to subscribe to my channel, I have some fun recipes coming up to show how to use these spices in the dish.
Thank you for watching and bon appetit! See you very soon.