Most people who love North African food are well aware of the flavor profile of harissa, that somewhat spicy {or hot} red chili pepper paste used as a condiment or dip in many Moroccan and Tunisian dishes. Those who are new to it are often really surprised about how much they love it since it’s actually quite versatile. I find myself adding it to foods like our homemade quesadillas, mac’n cheese or grilled cheese sandwiches- talk about fusion food…
If you’ve visited this site before, you know what a fan I am of Mina Harissa, a product of New York-based Casablanca Foods. They make an excellent quality harissa in a variety of spice levels {mild, medium, spicy} that are available online and now in Crate & Barrel Stores.
I recently had a chance to ask a few questions of Mina, the curator of these lovely, delicious and healthy jars of harissa. She’s the matriarch of this family-owned business and the one who came to the United States from Morocco, bringing her love of cooking, Moroccan food and serving others with her talent and passion for the flavors she began mastering in childhood.
Here’s my interview with Mina…
MHK: When did you start cooking? When did cooking become your profession? Can you tell us more about how that started and evolved?
MINA: As far back as I can remember I have always enjoyed cooking. Growing up I would always be beside my mother in the kitchen helping her prep all the ingredients for lunch. While my brothers and sister played outside, I was watching my mother cook and taking notes mentally. The aroma that filled the house always pulled me to the kitchen, seeing the end product was always exciting and delicious! As I grew into a teenager, I took over cooking for the household.
Cooking became my profession soon after I moved to the States. People seemed to love Moroccan food and I was fortunate enough to start a business doing what I loved most.
MINA: I love that Moroccan food is fresh, healthy and diverse. I use a wide variety of produce, meats and spices…it never gets boring. I enjoy all types of food but Moroccan food takes the prize. I grew up on it!
MHK: Your family started the Mina harissa brand of products with your recipes- tell us how the idea started to bottle your recipe. How many times did you make the harissa before you thought it was ready to put into jars and begin selling the product?
Mina’s logo is cleverly created to represent the variety of healthy, traditional ingredients in each jar of harissa.
MINA: It’s been my dream to have my own company and brand. The timing was right. I had just retired but needed to keep busy.
I have my own Harissa recipe that I would make frequently for family and friends. They all loved it! This encouraged me to want to bring it to the market. The key was finding the right food manufacturer that could make my recipe on a commercial scale. It took a few tries, but we eventually got it.
MHK: What type of cooking do you do now?
MINA: The only cooking I do now is for my family. Making my kids favorite Moroccan dishes, only now, I make it for my grandkids also.
MHK: What is your hope for the Mina harissa brand in the future?
MINA: I hope to see the brand grow into a successful line of traditional Moroccan products and also make Moroccan food widely accepted in the States. Excited for the journey ahead!
Win a Beautiful Moroccan Tagine and a Jar of Mina Harissa!
To enter, please read our Official Giveaway Guidelines page first then add a relevant comment about this interview in order to be officially entered into the giveaway. Entering indicates you have read the guidelines
I recently had a chance to ask a few questions of Mina, the curator of these lovely, delicious and healthy jars of harissa. She’s the matriarch of this family-owned business and the one who came to the United States from Morocco, bringing her love of cooking, Moroccan food and serving others with her talent and passion for the flavors she began mastering in childhood.
Here’s my interview with Mina…
MHK: When did you start cooking? When did cooking become your profession? Can you tell us more about how that started and evolved?
MINA: As far back as I can remember I have always enjoyed cooking. Growing up I would always be beside my mother in the kitchen helping her prep all the ingredients for lunch. While my brothers and sister played outside, I was watching my mother cook and taking notes mentally. The aroma that filled the house always pulled me to the kitchen, seeing the end product was always exciting and delicious! As I grew into a teenager, I took over cooking for the household.
Cooking became my profession soon after I moved to the States. People seemed to love Moroccan food and I was fortunate enough to start a business doing what I loved most.
Tagine giveaway from Mina Harissa
MHK: What do you love most about Moroccan cooking techniques and the food? Is it your favorite out of all other cuisines and why or why not?MINA: I love that Moroccan food is fresh, healthy and diverse. I use a wide variety of produce, meats and spices…it never gets boring. I enjoy all types of food but Moroccan food takes the prize. I grew up on it!
MHK: Your family started the Mina harissa brand of products with your recipes- tell us how the idea started to bottle your recipe. How many times did you make the harissa before you thought it was ready to put into jars and begin selling the product?
Mina’s logo is cleverly created to represent the variety of healthy, traditional ingredients in each jar of harissa.
MINA: It’s been my dream to have my own company and brand. The timing was right. I had just retired but needed to keep busy.
I have my own Harissa recipe that I would make frequently for family and friends. They all loved it! This encouraged me to want to bring it to the market. The key was finding the right food manufacturer that could make my recipe on a commercial scale. It took a few tries, but we eventually got it.
MHK: What type of cooking do you do now?
MINA: The only cooking I do now is for my family. Making my kids favorite Moroccan dishes, only now, I make it for my grandkids also.
MHK: What is your hope for the Mina harissa brand in the future?
MINA: I hope to see the brand grow into a successful line of traditional Moroccan products and also make Moroccan food widely accepted in the States. Excited for the journey ahead!
To enter, please read our Official Giveaway Guidelines page first then add a relevant comment about this interview in order to be officially entered into the giveaway. Entering indicates you have read the guidelines
