baharat : seven spice blend

My recipe for beata’t tdamata (eggs fried in tomato) calls for a mixture of black pepper, cumin, and paprika. This Lebanese baharat (“baharat” simply means spices in Arabic, but often refers to a spice blend) is just a slightly more complicated version of that combination. The added warm notes of coriander, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg give the blend a lovely well-rounded flavor. Think of it as Lebanese garam masala.

A spice blend is the kind of thing that you make in a big batch and use over the course of a several months to a year (it will last closer to a year if stored in a sealed glass or stainless steel container). While it takes a small amount of effort up front, you’ll reap the benefits for a long time. This spice blend works perfectly with beata’t tdamata, hummus, labneh, falafel, potato chop, salad dressings, marinades, dry rubs, lentil soup, or anything else that needs a little extra something—visit my baharat archives for more ideas. If I’m cooking with this spice blend (as opposed to sprinkling it on something right before serving), I usually temper it in oil over low heat for about 1 to 2 minutes, which gives it a toastier flavor.

baharat : seven spice blend

Print Recipe

• Yield: just over 1 cup

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup ground black pepper (3 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons whole peppercorns)
• 1/4 cup ground paprika
• 1/4 cup ground cumin seeds (1/4 cup whole cumin seeds)
• 1/4 cup ground coriander seeds (1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds)
• 2 tablespoons ground cloves (2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons whole cloves)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (2 1/2 inch cinnamon stick)
• 1 teaspoons ground nutmeg (1 small nutmeg)
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (8 to 9 cardamom pods)

Instructions

Combine ground spices and store in a resealable container (preferably glass).

Notes

If you’d like to make a larger batch, here are the ratios:

12 parts ground black pepper
12 parts ground paprika
12 parts ground cumin seeds
12 parts ground coriander seeds
6 parts ground cloves
2 parts ground cinnamon
1 parts ground nutmeg
1 part ground cardamom (green cardamom pods)