Last Updated on May 25, 2026 by Jeroen Kaslanders
In the realm of culinary creations, fusing different cultural ingredients can result in some truly spectacular dishes. One such example is incorporating Ras El Hanout, a North African spice mix, into a traditional curry sauce. This combination not only offers a symphony of flavors but also brings a touch of exotic warmth that can elevate any meal from ordinary to extraordinary.
**What is Ras El Hanout?**
Ras El Hanout is a blend of spices that is central to Moroccan cuisine but also used throughout North Africa. The name translates to “head of the shop” in Arabic, implying it’s the best offering available. This spice blend can include anywhere from ten to over thirty different spices depending on the recipe. Common components are cumin, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, dry ginger, chili peppers, cardamom, turmeric, and various others like dried flowers or fenugreek.
**Traditional Curry Sauce**
Curry sauce typically refers to any sauce that is heavily spiced and forms an essential part of Indian cuisine. Ingredients vary widely but usually include a base of turmeric, cumin, coriander and chili powder cooked with tomato puree and cream or coconut milk for richness.
**Combining the Two**
When you blend Ras El Hanout with traditional curry sauce ingredients you infuse the curry with a unique Moroccan twist. The floral notes from Ras El Hanout dance beautifully with the deep spicy flavors of conventional curry powder creating a sauce that is complex and tantalizingly aromatic.
**Recipe Suggestion: Chicken Curry with Ras El Hanout**
Ingredients:
– 1 tbsp vegetable oil
– 1 large onion finely chopped
– 2 garlic cloves minced
– 1 tbsp ginger grated
– 1 lb chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces
– 2 tbsp tomato paste
– 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
– 1 tbsp Ras El Hanout
– 2 tsp curry powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onion garlic and ginger cooking until they begin to soften about 3 minutes.
3. Increase heat to medium high add chicken pieces seasoning them with salt and pepper.
4. Cook until chicken is lightly browned on all sides about 5 minutes.
5. Stir in tomato paste cooking for another minute before adding coconut milk Ras El Hanout and curry powder.
6. Reduce heat simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened slightly.
7. Adjust seasoning taste adding more salt or pepper if needed.
8. Serve hot garnished with fresh cilantro alongside rice or flatbread.
**Culinary Benefits**
Using Ras El Hanout in your curry sauce not only diversifies your flavor profile but also introduces additional health benefits associated with its myriad spices such as anti-inflammatory properties from turmeric improved digestion from cumin and blood sugar control from cinnamon.
This fusion approach respects both culinary traditions while creating something innovative and delicious making it perfect for anyone looking to experiment with global flavors right at home.
If you’re an adventurous cook who enjoys exploring various culinary cultures blending something like Ras El Hanout into your favorite dishes like curry might be just what you need for your next kitchen exploit!
