Here at Luna Grill, we’ve been proudly offering you the healthy and delicious advantages of Mediterranean cuisine for nearly two decades. We’ve decided to share some of our knowledge and recipes so you can experience the pleasures of preparing and eating Mediterranean dishes in your home.
Mediterranean food is widely regarded as some of the most delicious and flavorful dishes on the planet. However, that’s not the only reason why they’re so popular worldwide. Embracing the Mediterranean diet can have profound benefits for your health; it’s rich in fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like olive oil, all of which contribute to a well-rounded nutritional intake.
Today, we will explore a flavorful gem that is a staple in many Mediterranean and North African dishes — the vibrant and fiery harissa.
What Is Harissa?
Harissa is a spicy chili paste that originated in North Africa, particularly Tunisia, and has since become an integral part of Middle Eastern cuisine. This fiery red condiment is crafted from dried chiles, garlic, olive oil, and a medley of warm spices like cumin, coriander, and caraway seeds. It’s a versatile ingredient that packs a punch, instantly elevating a variety of dishes, from simple couscous and hummus to hearty chickpea stews.
Imagine harissa as the secret key to unlocking an explosion of flavor in your marinades, dressings, or even a dab on your sandwich for that extra kick. The beauty of harissa is not just in its depth of flavor, which combines smoky, sweet, and spicy notes, but also in its adaptability.
You can adjust the heat level to your liking by choosing different varieties of chili peppers. For a milder version, use ancho or New Mexico chiles, while arbol or cayenne will give you a hotter sauce.
Harissa’s nutritional profile aligns beautifully with the Mediterranean diet:
- Its main ingredient, chili peppers, is low in carbohydrates but high in fiber, potassium, and calcium.
- Additionally, the olive oil in Harissa is a fantastic source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
Here at Luna Grill, we love using harissa sauce in our recipes for its robust and spicy character. It encapsulates the essence of Mediterranean and North African flavors, offering a true taste of the Tunisian and Moroccan palette right in your home kitchen.
From a dollop on some veggies to a marinade for grilled chicken, harissa is a fiery, flavorful, and healthful addition to your culinary repertoire. The journey to discover the wonders of harissa is just a taste away.
Can I Make Harissa At Home?
Creating homemade Harissa is an accessible venture that doesn’t require professional culinary skills or expensive equipment. All it takes is a food processor or blender and a curated selection of ingredients.
Here at Luna Grill, we encourage you to explore cooking at home by offering up some of our favorite recipes. Today, we aim to guide you on concocting a smoky, spicy harissa infused with a personal touch.
Let’s dive into the process, empowering you to control the heat level and create a spice blend that tickles your palate.
Ingredients and Equipment
The first step is to gather all of the required ingredients:
- 10 Dried Guajillo Chile (You can find these in the Mexican Cuisine section of your local supermarket or a Hispanic market.)
- 2 Chipotle Peppers (Canned in adobo sauce. These can also be found in the Mexican Cuisine section of your local supermarket or a Hispanic Market.)
- 2 Red Bell Pepper (Medium size. Fresh. Or Substitute with 2 oz of jar Roasted Peppers.)
- ¼ cup Tomato Paste
- 3 Garlic cloves (Recommend freshly minced for the best flavor.)
- 2 TBSP Lemon Juice (Fresh squeezed)
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 ½ tsp Ground Cumin
- 2 tsp Ground Coriander
- 1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ cup; plus ½ TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Reserve the ½ TBSP for the end.)
- 3 TBSP Fresh Cilantro (Finely chopped)
As for the equipment, you’ll need a heatproof bowl, a grill or stovetop, a Zip-Lock bag or any food-grade bag, optional food-grade disposable gloves, a food processor or blender, measuring cup and spoons, and a one qt jar or airtight container for storage.
Preparation
- Place guajillo chiles in a heatproof bowl and cover them with hot water for 30 minutes until they are tender. Drain the chiles and remove stems and seeds. For this step, we recommend using gloves since handling chili can lead to burning hands, face, or eyes if you touch them after peeling the chiles.
- Roast the red bell peppers. You can do this on the grill or directly on the stovetop until they are soft and have sear marks. After they are roasted, let them steam inside a closed zip-lock bag for 15 to 20 minutes. Strip off the charred skin and remove all the seeds.
- Transfer the guajillo chiles, chipotles, red bell pepper, tomato paste, minced garlic, and lemon juice into a food processor, and pulse it until you form a paste.
- Add the paprika, cumin, coriander, vinegar, and salt; run the food processor and slowly drizzle the olive oil until you obtain a smooth and thick paste. This will take you around a minute or two.
- Transfer your harissa paste to a bowl and add the fresh cilantro. Mix until well combined.
It’s important to remember that homemade harissa can be as mild or as fiery as you prefer. Control the heat level and customize the spice blend to suit your palate. If you’re new to harissa and the Mediterranean diet, it might be best to start on the mild side of the Scoville Scale (such as pimientos or poblanos) and slowly work your way up to the spicier end (cayenne or habanero).
Storage and Use
Once your homemade harissa is ready, transfer it into an airtight container, cover the surface with the remaining olive oil, and refrigerate. We recommend that you use glass for storage as the deep rich color of harissa can permanently stain plastic.
This vibrant, spicy harissa is not just an excellent alternative to store-bought hot sauce or chili paste but is a condiment that adds complexity and depth to your dishes. Its health benefits are worth noting as well, with high Vitamin C from the red chilies and digestive aids from the spices.
Harissa is a culinary chameleon, suitable for a variety of dishes. Spread it on sandwiches for an exciting lunch, mix it into soups and stews for an extra kick, or spoon it over chicken or traditional hummus for added flavor and a spicy touch.
Your homemade harissa opens a world of culinary possibilities, serving as your passport to authentic North African and Middle Eastern flavors. So go ahead and use harissa, experimenting and enjoying the rich, smoky warmth it brings to your dishes.
Conclusion
Creating homemade harissa is truly an exercise in culinary discovery. It’s an opportunity to dive into the rich tapestry of North African and Middle Eastern flavors, enhancing your dishes with the spicy, smoky depth of this versatile condiment.
By making harissa, you control the ingredients, tailoring the spice blend and heat level to your preference. You sidestep the additives and preservatives commonly found in store-bought versions, ensuring a healthier choice for your family.
The health benefits of this fiery red paste, rich in Vitamin C, potassium, and calcium, align perfectly with the principles of the Mediterranean diet championed by Luna Grill.
We encourage you to embark on this exciting culinary journey, making your own harissa, and incorporating it into your favorite dishes. The possibilities are boundless — add a dollop to your hummus, spice up your soups and stews, or use it as a vibrant marinade for your proteins. With harissa, you can experiment freely and confidently, knowing you’re elevating your food to new levels of flavor and healthfulness.
As you seek out more culinary adventures, we invite you to explore more recipes from Luna Grill. We’ve been cooking authentic Mediterranean dishes for nearly 20 years, and we’re excited to share this rich tradition with you. Try our harissa today and experience the taste of the Mediterranean in your own home!
Sources:
Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet: Metabolic and Molecular Mechanisms | PMC
What Is Harissa and Here’s All You Need To Know About This Spicy Condiment | The Times of India
Is Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Extra Healthy? | Harvard Health
The Suitability of Chili Pepper for Alleviating Human Micronutrient Dietary Deficiencies | PMC
