North African Spice Rub Recipes

HARISSA POWDER

Steps:

• Remove and discard stems and seeds from dried chiles. Slice chiles in half or quarters, if they are large.
• Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-low heat. Add chiles and heat through to ensure all the moisture has evaporated. Remove and place on a rack to cool. Place cumin seeds, coriander seeds, caraway seeds, and peppercorns to skillet. Stir seeds and toast until fragrant but not burning, about 3 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
• Grind chiles and toasted seeds with a mortar and pestle into a coarse powder. Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, smoked salt, parsley, and oregano. Continue to blend until all spices are completely combined and pulverized.

NORTH AFRICAN INSPIRED RUB FOR FISH AND CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to medium-high.
• Combine all the spices in a small bowl. Brush both sides of fish fillets or chicken breasts with oil. Rub 1 side of the fish fillets or chicken breasts with the rub and grill, rub side down, until golden brown and a crust has formed, about 4 minutes. Flip over and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Click here for Bobby's Buttermilk Southwestern Grilled Chicken.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICE PASTE

Steps:

• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking with medium-hot charcoal.
• Coarsely grind chiles, spice seeds, garlic, and peppercorns in grinder or with mortar and pestle, then stir together with salt and oil in a bowl to form a spice paste. Rub paste all over chicken.
• Oil grill rack, then grill chicken, skin sides down first, over coals, turning over occasionally and moving around if flare-ups occur, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes total.
• Move chicken to area with no coals underneath, arranging chicken so that thicker sides are closest to coals, then cover with inverted roasting pan and grill, turning chicken over once, until just cooked through, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

GRILLED SWORDFISH WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICE RUB

Steps:

• For Yogurt Sauce:
• Whisk yogurt, chopped cilantro and minced garlic in small bowl to blend. Season with salt and pepper.
• For Spice Rub:
• Combine chopped onion, chopped garlic cloves, caraway seeds, ground coriander and cayenne pepper in bowl of processor. Process until onion and garlic are very finely chopped and past forms.
• Spread spice rub on each side of swordfish steaks, dividing equally. (Yogurt sauce and spice rub-coated fish can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Brush grill or broiler pan and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Grill or broil swordfish steaks until fish is just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer fish to plates. Top with dollop of yogurt sauce; garnish with lime wedges and serve.

NORTH AFRICAN DRY RUB

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients.

NORTH AFRICAN MEAT RUB

Steps:

• In a spice grinder (I use a coffee grinder)grind the salt, oregano, rosemary, caraway and the turmeric to a fine powder.
• Mix this with the Harissa, garlic and the three tablespoons of olive oil.
• Transfer to a small jar and top with more olive oil so it won't dry out (always keep a thin layer on top).

ROASTED LEG OF LAMB WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICES, LEMON, AND ONIONS

Steps:

• In a spice grinder, a clean coffee grinder, or a mortar, grind the salt, oregano, rosemary, caraway, cumin, and turmeric to a fine powder. Transfer to a bowl and add the harissa and chopped garlic. Add the olive oil to make a thick paste. Make 8 or 9 deep slits all over the lamb and insert some of the spice paste, rubbing the paste all over the surface of the meat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour at room temperature or, preferably, refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before roasting.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the leg of lamb fat side down in a roasting pan that will hold the onions in one layer. Roast for 20 minutes. Mix the lemon juice and wine in a small bowl. Turn the meat and pour the lemon-wine mixture over it. (If you are roasting the lamb in a clay dish, warm the mixture first, because cold liquid can cause the clay to crack.) Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and roast for 35 minutes, basting every 10 to 15 minutes with the pan juices. If the pan dries out, add a little more wine.
• Transfer the lamb to a plate and add the onions to the pan, tossing them well to coat them with the pan juices. Add the rosemary sprigs or sprinkle with dried rosemary, toss, place the lamb on the onions, and continue roasting, basting often, for another 30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 135°F. Transfer the meat to a heated platter, cover with a double layer of aluminum foil, and set aside. (Leave the oven on.) If the pan juices are watery, transfer most of them to a saucepan and cook briefly to reduce.
• Meanwhile, return the pan to the oven and continue baking the onions until tender, with browned edges. Turn the oven to broil. Place the lamb on the onions again and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the surface is deep brown and crackling. Carve the lamb and serve, passing the pan juices in a bowl or sauceboat at the table.

NORTH AFRICAN SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients.
• Store in a sealed container.