Gingerbread Spice Mix

Gingerbread spices are endlessly customizable. This version balances warm, spicy flavors against cool, citrus-y ones, and has a cool finish of cardamom, anise, and black pepper. Unless you have a very good source for ground ginger, you're best grinding your own from whole dried versions. A microplane makes a quick job of them.

Garam Masala

This essential spice mixture can be used to flavor a variety of curries, braises, and other Indian dishes.

Homemade Merguez Sausage

Merguez, a North African lamb sausage, is a powerhouse of spicy and earthy flavor, making it one of the tastiest sausages around. Our recipe tells you how to make it at home.

Dried Chile Harissa

Harissa is a versatile condiment that can be used to add a punch of spice to anything. This version is made with dried chiles and can be used as a spice rub or hydrated with water for a paste that's ready to stir into dressings, sauces, and more. This is a stripped-down, entry-level harissa, that can be jazzed up with other spices or aromatics such as garlic, citrus zest, or even saffron.

Za'atar (Middle Eastern Herb Blend)

Fragrant herbs dried at home create a blend that pairs perfectly with countless dishes (and is perfect even on its own).

Dukkah (Middle Eastern Nut and Spice Blend)

Dukkah (also sometimes spelled duqqa) is an Egyptian seed and spice mixture. This recipe hews to tradition, with little more than sesame seeds, peanuts, cumin, and coriander seed.

Moroccan-Style Spicy Carrot Dip

[Photographs: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt] Spicy, pungent harissa and briny olives balance the sweetness of puréed glazed carrots. Note: Harissa is a Tunisian spice pasted made from piri-piri peppers. It can be found in cans or bottles in most major supermarkets...

House Rub From 'Pitt Cue Co.: The Cookbook'

This fragrant, sweet, gently spicy dry rub makes several appearances in the pages of Pitt Cue Co.: The Cookbook. This week, we'll use it as the sole seasoning on their outstanding Beef Ribs and as a defining element in the wet rub for the Whole Spicy Smoked Roast Chicken.

Cajun Spice Blend

A powerful spice blend which doesn't overdo the salt.

Chermoula

A North African sauce traditionally paired with grilled seafood, chermoula is a delicious mix of fresh herb, earthy spices, and acidic preserved lemon.