Main Dishes

Ancho-Crusted Salmon with Yellow Pepper Sauce

Makes 6 to 8 servings Ingredients 2 ancho chiles 1 tablespoon cumin seeds 1 tablespoon fennel seeds 4 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds 1 tablespoon black peppercorns 1 tablespoon dried thyme 1 tablespoon oregano Salt, to taste 1 tablespoon dry mustard 3 lb salmon fillet, cut into ten 6-oz portions 3 […]

Pantry

Berbere Spice Paste

Makes 2 3/4 cups Berbere is a traditional Ethiopian spice blend made with chiles, warming spices, fenugreek, and other aromatic ingredients. Use this paste to rub meats, poultry, and fish before grilling. Ingredients 4 pequin chiles, seeds and stem removed 2 teaspoons cardamom seeds 1 teaspoon coriander seeds 1 teaspoon […]

Main Dishes

Chicken Curry

Makes 4 to 6 servings Ingredients 1 1/2 tablespoon finely grated ginger 1 tablespoon minced garlic 3/4 cup plain yogurt 2 1/2 lb skinless chicken thighs, bone in (2 thighs per person) 2 dried red chiles, crushed 2 cups finely chopped yellow onion 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon ground […]

Pantry

Dry Berbere Spice Blend

Berbere is an Ethiopian spice blend made from chiles and other spices. Though you can find it online or at most grocery stores, there is nothing like homemade, and you’ll especially love it for grilling season. Makes about 3/4 cup

Sandwiches

Falafel

Makes 8 portions Ingredients 1 lb dried chickpeas 1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley 1/2 bunch cilantro 8 scallions 1 teaspoon cayenne 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons ground coriander 6 garlic cloves, peeled 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed Pure olive oil, as needed, for deep-frying 4 pieces Pita […]

Salads, Side Dishes

Grilled Fennel Salad with Oranges, Olives, and Cilantro

Makes 8 servings When you can find small fennel bulbs, use them instead. They are more tender and will cook more quickly. You’ll need 8 small bulbs to replace the 3 average-sized fennel we used below. Ingredients 3 fennel bulbs 1/4 cup thin-sliced red onion 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Harissa

Makes about 1 1/2 cups Ingredients 1 1/4 lb fresh red chiles, preferably Fresnos 1 small red dried hot chile 1 oz sun-dried tomatoes (about 1/3 cup) 1 garlic clove, crushed to a paste with a pinch of salt 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon ground […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

North Africa’s Fiery Sauce

Culinary cultures based in steamy equatorial climates all have their own spicy chile condiments, like Mexico’s hot salsas, Indonesia’s sambals, Caribbean vinegar-based habañero sauces—even our own Louisiana’s Tabasco. But harissa, the garlic-laced spice paste of Tunisia, shared also by Morocco and Algeria, imparts a singular fruity complexity in the luxurious […]