Beit Sitti Mixed Spice (Baharat)

Turn ground beef into kefta meatballs in an instant with just a spoonful of Beit Sitti’s Mixed Spice (Baharat). "Baharat," which means "spice" in Arabic, is an all-purpose seasoning blend from the Middle East, comparable to Moroccan ras al hanout. Different shops, regions and brands have their own proprietary blends; this version from Beit Sitti—a small, woman-run cooking school in Jordan selling authentic pantry staples—blew us away with its powerful aroma and intensity of flavor. Warming spices—like cardamom, cloves, allspice and nutmeg—dominate the mix’s flavor, but the baharat is underpinned with black pepper and a roundness from turmeric. Mastic (a ground powder made from gum mastic) adds a woody, earthy note that prevents this blend from tasting too sweet.