Comments on: Venison and Butternut Squash Canapes with Fried Quails Eggs

By: Clark

Clark — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 19:49:13 +0000

Although I haven’t tried this recipe yet (which I’m looking forward to), I wanted to share my comments on Ras El Hanout, which I’ve used in other recipes.

I love to blend my own small, fresh batches of Ras El Hanout. I base mine on the recipe at http://ayalasmellyblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/spicing-it-up-with-ras-el-hanout.html which I have found to be my favorite of several available online.

I usually cut the recipe by 4 or 8 depending on how much I need. Also, I use 4 times as much lavender as called for, since the floral bouquet of Ras El Hanout is what, for me, makes it so special.

My other substitutions include: a dash of rosewater instead of rose buds (easier to find), omitting ajowan (not fond of it—a thyme-like flavor, but slightly bitter by my tastes), and omitting ambrette (can’t find).

If you do make a larger batch of it or purchase a quantity you don’t know what to do with, I use it in http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/lamb_stew_with_almonds_and_apricots/ instead of the spices called for in the first half of the ingredient list.

By: john hughes

john hughes — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:30:55 +0000

You can buy a pretty good ras al hanout in tesco now. It’s on the world food section, where they put stuff that they can’t work out where it should go. the smaller stores don’t stock it, but bigger ones do

By: Domestic Executive

Domestic Executive — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:10:34 +0000

I love the thought of these – we can get good venison so just need to organise a party now as an excuse to serve them.

By: Miriam/The winter guest

Miriam/The winter guest — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:34:49 +0000

Venison mince! That’s something I have never tried… interesting. And… are Spanish hombres really so ubiquitous in Britain? XD

By: Eleanor

Eleanor — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:37:07 +0000

Sounds good, but what is Ras el Hanout and where does one get it? Does it have a substitute?

Although you only use ‘a pinch’, none the less this can make a flavour difference

(You’ve probably talked about this before?)

By: Madalene

Madalene — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:30:38 +0000

Ras-el-hanout is one of my all time favourite spice blends and I like the one that these guy’s produce and sell, I buy it form their stall at Borough Market London,
http://www.arabicafoodandspice.com/products/spice-blends
Ras el hanout means “The grocer’s Top Shelf.” Spice merchants across North Africa and the middle east stake there reputation on their house blend and we follow suit. An amazing, complex blend of dry roasted aromatic spices!
You can make your own blend however there are a few really good ones available on the market. You only need a tiny pinch to make a big flavour impact on your food.