
This Egyptian spice-and-nut blend is one of those pantry staples that quietly transforms everything it touches — crusty bread dipped in olive oil, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, even a soft-boiled egg. The base is toasted hazelnuts, sesame seeds, and whole spices like coriander, cumin, and black peppercorns, all ground together into a coarse, fragrant rubble that's deeply savory with a satisfying crunch. Every single ingredient here is naturally grain-free and completely free of rice in any form, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or worry about hidden fillers the way you might with store-bought spice blends. The technique matters: toasting each component separately coaxes out maximum flavor before everything comes together in the food processor. A few short pulses are all it takes — the goal is a sandy, chunky texture, not a smooth paste, so it clings beautifully to whatever you dip or sprinkle it on. A pinch of dried thyme is optional but adds a subtle herbal note that rounds out the warmth of the spices. Make a jar on the weekend and you'll find yourself reaching for it all week long.
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Spread the hazelnuts on a dry baking sheet and toast in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–12 minutes, until the skins are cracked and the nuts are deep golden beneath the skin.
Transfer the hot hazelnuts to a clean kitchen towel, fold the towel over them, and rub vigorously for about 1 minute to remove as much of the papery skin as possible. Let the nuts cool for 5 minutes.
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