baharat (seven spice) + recipes

“Baharat” simply means spices in Arabic, but often refers to a seven spice blend. Think of this one sort of like a Lebanese version of garam masala. The warm notes of coriander, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg give the blend a lovely well-rounded flavor.

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. If I’m cooking with this spice blend (as opposed to just sprinkling it), I usually temper it in oil over low heat for about 1 to 2 minutes, which gives it a toastier flavor. But it’s also delicious sprinkled as-is.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use baharat / seven spice:

• warak enab (Lebanese grape leaves)
• the best way to make falafel + a recipe
• vegetarian shepherd’s pie
• chicken shawarma
• sheet pan ras al asfour
• kuku sabzi inspired frittata
• shawarma platter
• potato chop skillet
• baked falafel crumbles + falafel salad
• shish kebab over an open fire

baharat (seven spice) + recipes

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 teaspoon ground nutmeg (1 small nutmeg) – optional
• 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 part ground nutmeg (optional)
1 part ground cardamom