How to use harissa? The 9 best ways
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Loading... - mathew isabekka
- 04 Oct 2022
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Do you know the Tunisian delicacy harissa? This hot chili pepper paste is a super handy ingredient in a pantry. It easily upgrades your cooking to the next level. After reading this, you will know how to use harissa, in addition, I share the best substitutes. Are you ready to surprise your friends and family with spicy food? Let’s get started.
What is harissa?
Harissa is a Tunisian hot chili pepper paste made of dried chili peppers, olive oil, garlic, salt, caraway, and coriander. Usually, this hot chili paste is sold in cans, tubes, or jars. It is often made of previously mentioned ingredients, but taste and ingredients vary between the brands.
Then there is homemade harissa, and everyone has their own way of cooking it. It’s made of the same ingredients as a canned one. After all, the homemade one has a more pungent taste, and it’s mainly used in cooking. However, if you don’t want to cook it, you can purchase this also from the grocery store. You recognize it from the text Harissa Arbi.
What does the harissa taste like?
Harissa has a hot spicy flavor. The number one difference between harissa and other chili pastes such as Sriracha, Sambal Oelek, and Tabasco is that harissa does not include any sugar or acid. So, for this reason, the it has a pungent and hot spicy taste.
The best substitute for harissa
I highly recommend trying harissa and purchasing one package of it. Below, I will tell you how to use harissa. No time and you have an empty jar at home.
But sometimes a recipe calls for this Tunisian spicy chili paste , and there is none at home to cook with. That’s why I have listed the best substitutes for harissa if you are looking for some alternatives.
#1 Chili, garlic, coriander, and caraway
The best way to substitute harissa is to use ingredients that the original harissa contains. In this case, chili (dried or fresh ones), garlic, and spices such as coriander and caraway. Feel free to add the ingredients as they are, or use a mortar and pestle to make a paste. The easiest way is to chop some fresh chili and garlic if you do not have the spices.
#2 Chili powder or chili flakes
Harissa is used in cooking to add heat and spiciness to the dish. Use spicy chili powder or flakes as a substitute. This will add heat to the food, but of course, the taste is not going to be similar.
#3 Homemade chili oil
Maybe you have a bottle of homemade chili oil at home? Even better if it is made of neutral flavor oil, garlic, chili flakes, spices, and aromatics such as caraway and coriander. Might be that your chili oil won’t be enough spicy, but the flavor profile will be similar.
#4 Hot sauce
Hot sauces have in common that they increase the heat in the food. The challenge is to find a hot sauce with a similar flavor and consistency. You can substitute harissa with Sriracha, Sambal Oelek, Tabasco, Gochujang, Piri-Piri, and Tapatio, but the tastes are somewhat different compared to harissa.
How to use harissa - The 9 best ways
The greatest thing about harissa is that it is a very versatile hot pepper paste. It works perfectly in soups, stews, spreads, marinades, pasta, and salads. Now I will share the best ways how to use harissa.
#1 Straight/ dip - how to use harissa
Scoop a spoonful of harissa and mayo on the small serving plate, and drizzle with olive oil. If feeling adventurous, add a couple of capers. Scoop with fresh bread. So simple, but very delicious!
Make a spicy harissa mayo for hotdogs, burgers, sandwiches, and dip for french fries. Simply mix together mayo and harissa, and spicy dip is ready. Try to upgrade the mayo with fresh garlic, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Read More…
