Harissa is a traditional North African recipe for a truly classic chilli-based spice blend and condiment that's an essential addition to much of North African cuisine. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic North African version of Harissa.
Cover the chillies with hot water and let stand for 15 minutes until soft. Place chillies and remaining ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth using water that the chillies soaked in to thin it.
The sauce should have the consistency of thick paste. If you place the paste in a jar and cover with a thin film of olive oil it will keep for at least a couple of months in the refrigerator.