Ras-El-Hanoot

Rafi Cohen, Raphael, Tel Aviv

Ras-El-Hanoot ('Top of the Store') is a Moroccan spice mixture for which every spice vendor has a secret formula. It is used to season meat.

Ingredients (makes half a cup)

2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons tumeric
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon aniseed
2 tablespoons dry coriander seeds

Pound all of the ingredients together in a mortar and pestle (or use the bottom of a glass) to a coarse, not fully ground, texture. Keep any unused porion in a tightly closed jar.

photo: Dania Weiner