{"id":1971620,"date":"2024-03-15T16:45:17","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T18:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=recipe&p=1971620"},"modified":"2024-04-23T13:58:47","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T18:58:47","slug":"harissa-recipe","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/harissa-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Harissa"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you haven’t already fallen in love with harissa, now’s the time. This North African chile paste is incorporated into almost every meal in certain parts of the world, and you’ll want to do the same once you try its nuanced, complex flavors. So stop using spice substitutes like berbere or Sriracha<\/a> when you see harissa in a recipe. It’s easy to learn how to make harissa from a handful of simple ingredients you probably already have in the pantry.<\/p>\n

What is harissa?<\/h2>\n

Harissa is a thick chile paste that originated in Tunisia. Recipes vary, but the paste usually contains dried chiles, garlic, oil and warming spices like cumin, coriander and paprika. It’s often called a hot sauce<\/a>, and some harissa varieties can be quite spicy. However, harissa is more about flavor than spice. It has depth and complexity, balancing the chiles’ heat with sweet, spicy, tangy, smoky undertones.<\/p>\n

Harissa is so ubiquitous in North African and Middle Eastern cuisine that it’s been compared to ketchup’s use in America (although that comparison does an injustice to harissa’s nuanced flavors). It’s one of those sauces capable of enhancing almost any savory dish, from traditional soups and stews to eggs and burgers.<\/p>\n

What is harissa paste made of?<\/h2>\n

Our harissa recipe includes dried guajillo chiles, roasted sweet peppers, tomato paste, garlic, warming spices, lemon juice and olive oil. We use mild chiles to keep the heat low and accentuate the other flavors in this nuanced sauce. The lemon juice brings brightness and vibrance, and tomato paste adds complexity with its savory, umami-rich flavor.<\/p>\n

Ingredients for Harissa<\/h2>\n