Photograph of Middle Eastern Spice
Basic Recipes,  Recipes,  Savoury Spice Mixes,  Spicer Mixes and Curry Pastes

Middle Eastern Spice Mix

Jump to Recipe

Tabouli was the first food I ate associated with the Middle East and I had that in Australia at the back end of the 1980s. I moved to London in the early 1990s and London has an abundance of food from this whole region. In those days I dined out with my boyfriend (now husband!) in the many restaurants available but I didn’t really cook anything from the region.

It wasn’t until I went to Beirut in Lebanon on a work trip did I really fall in love with the food – I was lucky enough to spend time with Chef Ramzi Choueiri who went on to become the first Arab chef to star in a live cooking show with 10 million viewers and has since written his own cookery books. But I was there before that when Chef Ramzi (amongst many other things) ran his own cookery school as part of the Al Kafaat Foundation, of which he is now CEO. My colleague Peter and I ate incredibly well – lamb, chicken, incredible flatbreads (cooked in Chef Ramzi’s huge bakery and the best in Beirut) and a range of incredible salads.

When we left, Chef Ramzi gave me a copy of the Rayees’ cookery book called ‘Art of Lebanese Cooking’. This instantly became my bible for food from this part of the world. A few years later, my great friend Sam gave me another book, The Arab Table, which was written by her husband’s cousin May Bsisu. This has been a massively successful book, particularly in the US, where May currently lives. It has 5 star reviews and is a 5 star book and has helped to further cement my love of Arabic food.

A variety of recipes using Middle East Spice

This warm and delicate spice mix, evocative of the Middle East, is a heady smokey, musky, citrusy, woody, sweet, nutty, fragrant combination of flavours. It can be used in a range of dishes and marinades. Keep an eye out for these dishes:

Dishes already posted:

Warm Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad with Feta Cheese, Fresh Herbs and Pomegranate

Dishes I plan to post:

  • Middle East Chicken and Rice with Lentils, Crispy Onions and Coriander
  • Persian Lamb Stew with Celebration Jewelled Couscous
  • Shawarma Chicken Tacos with Hummus, Spicy Chickpeas, Cucumber, Tomatoes and Spicy Yoghurt Dressing
  • Moroccan Lamb Mince with Herby Lemon Couscous
  • Middle Eastern Aubergine and Red Pepper Stew with Spinach, Chick Peas and Coconut
  • Spicy Middle Eastern Chickpeas with Smoked Paprika, Sesame Seeds and Fresh Thyme leaves
  • Quinoa Salad with Roast Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower, Mushrooms and Chick Peas
  • Moroccan Lentils and Chickpeas with Herby Lemon Couscous
  • Lamb Shish Kebabs
  • Middle Eastern Marinade for Meat or Fish
  • Zhoug Sauce

This spice mix is made up just a few spices which are mostly easy to get hold of.

  • coriander powder
  • cumin powder
  • cardamom powder
  • garlic powder
  • cinnamon powder
  • grated nutmeg 

Cardamom powder is the only spice which may not be easily available at your supermarket. I get mine from Amazon.

To make the spice mix simply measure out the spices and mix well. Store, sealed, out of the light for up to 6 months.

Middle Eastern Spice Mix

A warm and delicate spice mix evocative of the Middle East – a heady smokey, musky, citrusy, woody, sweet, nutty, fragrant combination of flavours.

Cuisine Arabic, Middle Eastern
Keyword Cardamom, Cinnamon, Coriander, Cumin, Nutmeg, Spice mix
Prep Time 5 minutes
Author Susan

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons coriander powder
  • 4 tablespoons cumin powder

  • 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons cardamom powder

  • 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon powder

  • 2 teaspoons grated nutmeg 

Instructions

Equipment

  1. Measuring spoons

  2. Sealed container e.g. jam jar

Method

  1. Put all your ingredients in the jar and mix well.

  2. Store, sealed, out of the light for up to 6 months.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.