harissa

noun

ha·​ris·​sa hə-ˈri-sə 

: a spicy North African paste made from dried chilies, salt, oil, and other seasonings

Roast chicken slathered in fiery Moroccan harissa is served with a bright orange dollop of carrot purée …

—Margot Dougherty

Examples of harissa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tables were stacked with trays of Nebula Nebulae parfaits (spiced chocolate and vanilla mousse) and platters of Atreides Delicacies (rice noodles, harissa, sesame oil). —Mike Isaac, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024

Some of Rosen’s favorites are miso, soy sauce and harissa. —Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024

Also inside the Medina, at the top of a narrow alley that leads down to the river, are a handful of food stalls selling sandwiches stuffed with fried fish, spicy harissa, tomato and eggplant. —Nicola Chilton, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Feb. 2024

The latest was inspired by Gathered Nutrition: piquant harissa, smoked paprika, and a kiss of sweetness from honey. —The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 2 Feb. 2024

Move on to something grilled, maybe the herby chicken souvlaki or prawns, sassy with lemon and harissa. —Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023

Real-deal Tunisian harissa is an anchor to the motherland and a bright, specific accent to countless dishes. —Eric Kim, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023

In a baking dish large enough to hold the chicken in one layer, stir together 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the juice of 1 lemon, the orange juice, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper, and harissa. —Sally Pasley Vargas, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2023

Make the harissa: In a blender or small food processor, place roasted pepper, garlic, paprika, cumin, caraway, cayenne and salt. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2021

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & North African Arabic; French harissa, borrowed from North African Arabic harīsa "dish of ground meat and bulgur or couscous, paste made from chili peppers and spices," derivative of Arabic harasa "crush, bruise, pound"

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above