Harissa

(from Joanna’s recipe box)

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 100 minutes
Serves 2 people

Ingredients

  • 1 large red bell pepper
  • 4 ounces dried chiles [dried red pepper flakes work fine]
  • 3 sun-dried tomatoes, dry-packed
  • 2 clove garlic, peeled
  • 1 teaspoon coarse or kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander (1 1/2 teaspoons seeds, toasted and ground) [or use out of the jar]
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground caraway (or 1 teaspoon seeds, toasted and ground) [or use out of the jar]
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (or 1 teaspoon seeds, toasted and ground) [or use out of the jar]

Directions

  1. Roast your red pepper in a 350°F oven, turning it every 15 minutes for a total of [45 to] 60, until it’s deeply roasted on all sides. Once cool enough to handle, peel and seed the pepper.

  2. [Meanwhile, place dried chiles and sundried tomato in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit for 30 minutes, until well-softened. Drain and with gloved hands, if you don’t like living on the edge, remove the seeds and stems from the chiles. The sundried tomatoes can be used as-is.]

  3. Place roasted red pepper, rehydrated chiles, tomatoes, garlic, salt and spices in a blender or food processor with 1 tablespoon olive oil and blend until it becomes a thick paste; a little water may be necessary to help this along. [I just chop the peppers and sun dried tomatoes and then mash in a bowl.]

  4. Store in the fridge, topped with a thin layer of olive oil. Use on everything.

Email to a friend | Print this recipe | Back