Harissa Paste

Ingredients

• 2 ounces mildly hot dried chilies (eg Guajillo)
• 2 ounces mild dried chilies (eg Anaheim)
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground caraway seed
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground coriander seed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• extra virgin olive oil, for topping off

Directions

1. 1

   Soak the dried chillis in tepid water to cover until softened, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

2. 2

   Drain and remove the stems and seeds.

3. 3

   Place in a blender or food processor with the garlic, water, and olive oil and process until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides.

4. 4

   Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and stir in the caraway, coriander, and salt.

5. 5

   Store in a jar and top off, covering the surface of the paste with a layer of olive oil.

6. 6

   Whenever the paste is used you must always top off with olive oil making sure no paste is exposed to air otherwise it will spoil.

7. 7

   Variation: To make a hot harisa, use 4 ounces dried guajillo chillis and 1/ 2 ounce dried de Arbol chillis.

8. 8

   Note: To make salsa al-harisa, that is, harisa sauce, used as an accompaniment to grilled meats, stir together 2 teaspoons harisa, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves.