Harissa - Tunisian paste/dip

Harissa is a spicy Tunisian dip/paste made of red chillies, garlic and olive oil.It is multi-purpose and easy to make. You can use it in so many ways -

• Use for marinating chicken/meat

• Mix with yoghurt and use it for marinating.

• Mix with Hummus

• Use it as a dip for any of your fried or snack items

• Use it as salad dressing.

• Use it in grilled veggies

I have always loved these dips from the supermarkets. And I even pay good money to buy them. So, I just thought, why not try one such dip at home and share the recipe. Trust me, some of these dips are simple to make at home. Plus, you can store them for a good 2 to 3 months with right natural preservatives.

Ingredients

1. 100 gm dry red chillies (20 gm spicy red chillies and 80 gm red chillies which only bring colour and very mild)

2. 35 gm garlic cloves

3. 2 1/2 tsp coriander powder

4. 1 1/2 tsp cumin powder

5. 1 1/2 tsp caraway seeds (Shah Jeera as per Indian name - Easily available in stores)

6. 1 cup room temperature water to grind

7. 3 tbsp olive oil

8. 2 tsp salt

Procedure

1. Give a slight cut and remove all the seeds from the chillies.

2. Wash the chillies and soak them in hot water for 30 mins.

3. Strain the water and mix all the ingredients (garlic, spices, chillies, olive oil, water) in a mixer and grind to a smooth paste.

4. Keep adding little water as you grind. Do not add all water at once.

5. Paste will be ready.

6. Store in a tight jar.Pour some olive oil on top for preserving.

Watch the video for details -