Moroccan spice, ras-el-hanout - available in North Cyprus?

MoBry



Joined: 08/02/2011
Posts: 78

Message Posted:
26/03/2012 17:31

Hi, does anyone know where I can get hold of the Moroccan spice, ras-el-hanout, and other Turkish/Lebanese/Moroccan spices or spice mixes? I know the ras-el-hanout is made of up to 30 different spices and I'm not game to go the spice-mixing route!

brother



Joined: 29/01/2010
Posts: 446

Message Posted:
26/03/2012 19:13

Well, I looked for it over here in the UK and being remotely located I could not find it. However it isn't difficult to make a very good mixture from a lot less number of spices if you ensure you have the key ones.



Have you tried looking up recipes for it in the "interweb"

MoBry



Joined: 08/02/2011
Posts: 78

Message Posted:
26/03/2012 20:50

Not so far, but I'll do a search and start some do-it-yourself!

brother



Joined: 29/01/2010
Posts: 446

Message Posted:
26/03/2012 21:46

For what it's worth we make ours up in line with what Jamie Oliver found ina lamb recipe whilst in Morocco and it is quite good with a shoulder of lamb cooked in the slow cooker. We add leeks, garlic, red chillies, qubed lemons and green olives with a can of plum tomatoes. A great alternative to a curry !

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
26/03/2012 22:44

MoBry - it seems to be readily available in the UK.



If you like, I can bring you some out - trouble is, we're not coming again until end May. Maybe you can "do it yourself" until then, or someone else could bring you some. If not and you'd like some, let me know and I'll be happy to oblige, if I can.



Regards.



Jean

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
27/03/2012 11:56

this sounds easy enough to me



http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/raselhanout_74897

herindoors


Joined: 13/01/2007
Posts: 138

Message Posted:
27/03/2012 12:06

mmm sounds lovely,, will give this recipe a try, thanks for recipe folks

brother



Joined: 29/01/2010
Posts: 446

Message Posted:
27/03/2012 12:50

Msg.4 "qubed lemons" what am I like I usually maintain a much higher standard of writing than this !

MoBry



Joined: 08/02/2011
Posts: 78

Message Posted:
27/03/2012 13:10

Thanks for your offer, Jeannie, I'd love to take you up on it, but I have the feeling that it's illegal to bring any kind of food-type product into Cyprus. I know when we packed our boxes for Cyprus in Australia, we were told no food products at all. Would hate to get you into trouble, but perhaps others on this forum know the answer, one way or another. And Andrew, sounds like a great recipe, I'll try it when my food processor turns up. I have the feeling the one I used to buy in Oz had turmeric in it, as the spice mix was quite yellow. Just as an extra, can you buy preserved lemons anywhere in North Cyprus, or is it more common for people to make their own? I used to make a mean preserved lemon tagine in Oz, but you need preserved lemons, ordinary lemons don't have the same flavour.

Redwine


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 565

Message Posted:
27/03/2012 13:36

That's a load of tosh. I brought all my indian and asian spices across in container and nothing was said. We have our friends bring out loads of spices if I can't get them here.

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
27/03/2012 15:11

I also bring lots of spices out on a fairly regular basis. Via Ercan.



But to be perfectly honest I can get most of what I need in TRNC.

MoBry



Joined: 08/02/2011
Posts: 78

Message Posted:
27/03/2012 18:47

Oh, well, that's nice to know as there's a great spice supplier in Australia, so I'll order stuff from him when we get settled in our new home. So yes, Jeannie, I'll take you up on your kind offer if you wouldn't mind picking up a couple of packets for me. If you'd like to get in touch with me when you get here, my mobile no is: 05338472437, email: wildwomancrazycrone@gmail.com. I did notify the Forum about our new e-mail addy quite a while ago but it hasn't been changed yet. If you'd like payment beforehand, I can send you the total via PayPal.

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
27/03/2012 19:00

Hi again MoBry - will gladly get you a couple of packets. It's not expensive so will definitely not break the bank! I've made a note of your mobile and will give you a call on 31 May to arrange to get it to you.



I've also made a note of your e-mail so if anything changes, will let you know that way.



Regards.



Jean

MoBry



Joined: 08/02/2011
Posts: 78

Message Posted:
27/03/2012 19:08

Thanks very much, Jeannie, we won't be moving into our new apartment until mid-April or later, so by the time you arrive we should have unpacked all our gear from Australia and be reasonable settled and ready for new cooking adventures. We'll be in Alsancak, by the way. Look forward to catching up with you.

babyheritage


Joined: 31/01/2012
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
27/03/2012 23:33

I have made some, its lovely. Can give you a little if you need. Post your reply and Ill email you when Im your way if you want. Also have 2 recipes if you want a copy.

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
28/03/2012 08:01

now is the time to make the preserved lemons pick them over making sure there are no bad bits, wash them, cross cut them 2/3 down from the end fill with course preserving salt which most supermarkets sell, pack tightly into a big glass jar topping with salt as you go you can add the juice of one lemon and tbl spoon of oil oil if you want, leave for about a month the jar will fill up with liquid and go brown but still clear and there you are done enjoy

MoBry



Joined: 08/02/2011
Posts: 78

Message Posted:
28/03/2012 08:26

Message 15 - I'll take you up on your offer as it's hard to do much kitchen stuff in our cramped apartment. It'll tide me over until we move in and then, Andrew, I'll get busy making preserved lemons because they're utterly delicious in cooking and salads. Thank you both for your help. At present, babyheritage, I'm in Lapta, near Aphrodite's Bar.

babyheritage


Joined: 31/01/2012
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
28/03/2012 08:40

oh will email you with my number, down your way after noon actually. Can you text me your number.

babyheritage


Joined: 31/01/2012
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
28/03/2012 08:49

Your email bouncing back



Sorry, we were unable to deliver your message to the following address.



:



and incl au.

babyheritage


Joined: 31/01/2012
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
28/03/2012 08:51

Im leaving home 10am will check this just before I leave to see if you have put a contact number.



Do you want any lemons.

Do you want the recipies



Will be in Lapta after midday.

Redwine


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 565

Message Posted:
28/03/2012 09:15

Mo be careful about having spices posted - cusoms will open the packets for sure - they would think its drugs

babyheritage


Joined: 31/01/2012
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
28/03/2012 09:55

ok off now. will leave with a friend who lives in Lapta and will let you have her number.