
This ancient Egyptian spice-and-nut blend is earthy, aromatic, and deeply satisfying — the kind of condiment that makes you want to dip everything in sight. Hazelnuts form the nutty backbone, while toasted coriander, cumin, sesame seeds, and black pepper layer in warmth and complexity that smells absolutely incredible as it comes together in the pan. Many store-bought versions sneak in chickpeas or other legumes as a filler, so making it from scratch is the only way to be sure every ingredient is exactly what you want it to be. The technique here is straightforward: toast each component separately to coax out its best flavor, then pulse everything together until you hit that perfect coarse, crumbly texture — not a paste, not a powder, just the right rustic bite. A mortar and pestle works beautifully if you prefer a more hands-on approach and want even more control over the final texture. Serve it the traditional way alongside crusty bread and good olive oil for dipping, or sprinkle it over roasted vegetables, eggs, or yogurt to instantly elevate a simple meal. It keeps well in a jar, so one batch goes a long way.
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Toast the hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the skins begin to crack and the nuts are golden and fragrant, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel, fold the towel over the nuts, and rub vigorously to remove most of the skins. Let cool for 5 minutes.
In the same skillet over medium heat, toast the coriander seeds and cumin seeds together, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly darkened, about 2 minutes — watch closely, as they can scorch quickly. Transfer to a plate to cool.
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