Rose Petal Harissa

Servings: 2 generous cups
 

Ingredients

 

3 ounces dried guajillo chile peppers, stemmed (not seeded)

1 1/2 ounces dried ají amarillo chile peppers (also sold as ají mirasol), stemmed (not seeded)

Boiling water

2 1/2 tablespoons caraway seed

2 tablespoons cumin seed

1 tablespoon coriander seed

1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seed

3 large cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon dried rose petals

10 to 12 tablespoons lime juice (from 4 to 6 limes), or more as needed

1/4 teaspoon rose water

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for storing

1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, or more as needed

Instructions 

1. Combine the chile peppers in a medium pot, adding enough of the boiling water to cover them. Bring to a boil over high heat, then remove from the heat and weight the chiles with a smaller pan to ensure they're all submerged. Allow them to sit, covered, for at least 2 hours or until they are soft. (Depending on the chiles, it might not take that long; just make sure the skins are soft.) Drain; reserve the soaking water.
2. Combine the caraway, cumin, coriander and fennel seeds in a large saute pan over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until they are toasted and fragrant and some of them begin to pop. Transfer to a plate to cool.
3. Once the spices have cooled, transfer them to a food processor; pulse until the spices are ground almost to a powder. Add the garlic and rose petals, and pulse about 10 times to form a dry paste.
4. Working in two batches, and wearing gloves if you're sensitive to spice, add half of the soaked chiles to the food processor, along with any water that comes along for the ride. Add half of the lime juice and half of the rose water; pulse until the chiles are finely chopped, stopping to scrape down the sides and top of the food processor bowl as needed. (This might take 3 or 4 minutes total, so be patient. You're looking for the texture of small-curd cottage cheese.) If the mixture seems too thick, add some of the reserved cooking/soaking water, about 2 tablespoons at a time, until the mixture moves easily in the food processor.
5. Once the chiles are finely chopped, add half of the oil and half of the salt; pulse until well incorporated. Transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid; add the remaining chiles, lime juice, rose water, oil and salt; add the processed mixture to the container.
6. Taste, adding some lime juice and/or salt, as needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 day before using. To store long-term, scoop the harissa into pint-size jars, pour a thin layer of oil on top and refrigerate.