Harissa

This flavoursome Tunisian chilli purée is an accompaniment for many North African dishes. Fabulous with tagines, merguez sausages and bean or lentil soups, it should be approached with some respect. One popular brand, Le Phare Du Cap Bon, comes in a squeezy metal tube that can be planted in place of toothpaste, to fool sleepy morning risers. Hilarious... NOT.

Many Western recipes omit the caraway, which is disappointing as I find it the very ingredient that makes this sauce so parti