The Moroccan Spice Pantry

Most ingredients used in the recipes of this page are common and available in ordinary supermarkets. However, a few are not so common and can be found only in such places as health-food stores and Middle Eastern (including East Indian) stores. Below is a list of these ingredients, some description of them, and ideas for where to find them. The name in parenthesis following the English name is the Arabic spelling.

Bulgur (Birghil): Also known as Cracked Wheat. It is made from wheat that has been cracked. Bulgur comes in three sizes: large, medium, and small (fine). The small variety is used in this book as the ingredient for recipes such as Tabuli and Kibba. Bulgur is sold in bulk at health-food stores and specialty Middle Eastern stores. The large size grain variety of Bulgur is sold in boxes in your supermarket.

Butnege: This spice is one that is not common in the United States. It is typically found as dried, crushed green leaf plant (similar to Basil in appearance). It does however have a unique smell and taste.

Cardamom (Hale): This spice is a common ingredient in recipes from the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Whole Cardamom seeds are available in Middle Eastern stores. Due to an increase in its popularity, ground Cardamom is now available in the spice section of some supermarkets.

Couscous: Couscous is a Moroccan staple. It is eaten with many meals, and almost every day. It has gained a great popularity in the United States and Europe. It can be found in many standard grocery stores, as well as health food stores and specialty stores. It is made from durum-wheat semolina with salt and water.

Cream of Rice: Cream of rice is a cereal found in the cereal isle in many American Supermarkets. If you cannot find it, you can easily make it by grinding raw (uncooked) rice in your grinder. Achieve a coarse consistency (like coarse beach sand) and use in the recipe.

Cream of Wheat: Cream of wheat is a cereal found in the cereal aisle in many supermarkets. Like cream of rice, it is made of ground-up wheat pearls.

Curry (Karry): This spice is a ground mixture of many different spices. Therefore, different brands can taste different. Curry now is available in most supermarkets. It is also available in specialty and Middle Eastern stores. The variety you find in the Middle Eastern stores may be spicier and stronger tasting than the supermarket variety.

Fava Beans (Bajilla): This bean variety can be found in health-food and Middle Eastern stores in a dehydrated or canned form. Fresh Fava Beans can sometimes be found in supermarkets during the summer season.

Fillo Dough: Fillo dough is a paper-thin pastry dough, whose preparation is very difficult. Fortunately, it can be found in the refrigerator section of most Middle Eastern Markets and some grocery stores. This dough is used in Bastilla and Baklava recipes, plus others. Sometimes spelled "phyllo"

Garbanzo Beans (Hummus): These beans are also known as Ceci beans and Chickpeas. They are available in the canned food section of supermarkets.

Middle Eastern Spice (Boharat): This popular spice is made from blending and grinding several spices in exact proportions. It gives the Middle Eastern food its distinctive taste and aroma. It is a mixture of seven spices, including allspice, nutmeg, cardamom and others.

Mint (Naanaa): This aromatic plant can be cultivated at home in your vegetable garden. Pluck leaves from the garden as you need them. You can also purchase fresh or dried mint from your supermarket.

Oman Lemon (Noomy Basrah): A variety of the lime family, this plant is unique to the Middle East region. It looks like a small brown dehydrated lime and has a strong tangy aroma. It can be found in Middle Eastern stores under a variety of names, such as Basrah Lemon or Oman Lemon. Sometimes you may find it in plastic bags without a label.

Pita Bread: This variety of bread has become very popular in the United States. Middle Eastern people eat it with meals as well as use it for sandwiches. It is available in supermarkets, health-food stores, and Middle Eastern stores.

Rose Water (My Warid): This is an aromatic water containing the extract of roses. It is available in Middle Eastern stores in small bottles.

Saffron (Zaafaran): Saffron is the deep-orange, aromatic, dried stigmas of a purple-flowered crocus. It is used to color and flavor foods such as rice. Saffron is very expensive and is therefore sold in small quantities. It can be found in most health-food and Middle Eastern stores and in some supermarkets.

Tahini (Rashi): This tan-colored substance, made from sesame seeds, is thick in consistency. The seeds are first toasted and then ground with peanut oil. Because no emulsifiers are used, the Tahini will separate with time. This is normal; just stir before using. Its most popular use is in Hummus. It can be found in health-food stores, Middle Eastern stores and some supermarkets.

Tamarind (Tamir Hind): This tangy tropical fruit is available in fruit packs or paste. The paste is easier to use because most of the fruit skins have been removed, and it therefore dissolves easily in water. Tamarind is available in health-food stores and Middle Eastern stores.

Ingredient Cross-Reference Index

This is an alphabetized cross-reference index between the Arabic names of some ingredients and their English names.