Hunting for Harissa

[bite bite]

Just found a delicious fish-pie sounding tagine recipe from the NY Times -- but, alas, have no harissa to go with. Anyone know where I might be able to find some harissa, ideally in West Hollywood/Hollywood area -- but could go Studio City direction as well...

[tkemeny]

Harissa is so uneven. The little yellow french cans - they can be as little as 50 cents - are the best in my opinion. Aromatic. They aren't just spicy and they aren't overpowered by garlic. I used to get them at the little israeli market just north of rosewood on fairfax. They don't have them all the time (and the owner once gave me his homemade harissa in its place), but it's worth checking out.

[SilverlakeGirl]

I saw several brands, not just one, in the charming Mr. Marcel market within the Farmer's Market at 3rd and Fairfax.

[DonnyMac]

Whole Foods has it as well, usually in the section with bruschetta toppings, pickled peppers etc.

[goodhealthgourmet]

yep, just saw it @ the hollywood whole foods yesterday. i'm pretty sure erewhon also has it...and since you're in weho you could also check gelson's or bristol farms if you happen to find yourself in either store.

[bite bite]

Thanks all. Was at the Farmer's Market yesterday so got the harissa at Monsiur Marcel's for convenience sake -- but at $12.99 for a small jar doubt I will make them my regular supplier.

[PandanExpress]

Whoa, that is an insane price for harissa. Go to any of the Persian markets on Westwood (Jordan, or that one two blocks south of Santa Monica) and you can pick up a small can for < $5.

[JudiAU]

Le Pain Quotidien sells a good version.

[SauceSupreme]

I would likewise check Latin markets, as I was in Farm Fresh on Sunset and thought I saw it also.

[love2eat]

Larchmont Wine & Cheese has it.

[dtochs]

I'd try Jon's market. The one I go to at Vermont/Hollywood seems to have everything from the Middle East, former Soviet Republics, and Latin America.

[Burger Boy]

I am pretty sure they have Harrisa, there is also a Jons at Fountain & LaBrea.

[JBC]

For sure they have it at the BBC Cafe in Beverly Hills under side orders for $4.00 with "all items can be packaged to go":
http://www.bbccafe.com/menu.html

Also, you could give Light My Fire a call which has hot spicy sauces, which is all they carry, from all over the world:

Light My Fire
3rd & Fairfax - Inside the Farmers Market - West Hollywood (ish).
[phone]

Backup, maybe?, also in the F.M.

Mr. Marcel Gourmet Market
http://www.mrmarcel.com

[JBC]

Updating my post - I also tried a version at Whole Foods but found it untasty and do NOT recommened it; Instead I really like the brand they sell at the Jordan Market (it comes canned in 2 sizes = $2 to $5 ?):

Jordan Market (Persian/Middle Eastern).
1449 Westwood Blvd., Westwood
[phone] or [phone]

[JBC]

Update on My Update ~ I've stopped by the Jordon Market 3 times in the last 2-3 mnths and they haven't had any. They say it's on order but to take this long, it must crossing the Atlantic by canoe

[missyp]

I had a terrible time trying to find it last weekend. Not at Jons, not at Whole Foods (Glendale), not at Cost Plus World Market, not at Gelson's.

Is there some kind of harissa shortage going on or something? I didn't think it was *that* exotic of an ingredient.

I ended up making my own and, I have to say, it was delicious -- and easier the schlepping to four stores to find it. I essentially followed Clifford Wright's recipe, but added some tomato paste and a lot more olive oil because I couldn't get the darn chiles to blend down.
http://www.saveur.com/article/Food/Ha...

[JBC]

Update #3 ~ Stopped by The Jordon Market and they said they could no longer get the old Harissa any longer (it came in a yellow can, made in France) and was very smooth & creamy & spreadable (1 step thinner than your normal tomato paste).

Their replacement Harissa is:

Jericho - Tunisian Harrisa (Spicy)
Manufactured by Jericho Foods of North Hollywood, CA.

It looks very similar to the hot sauce you'll find in a small jar at a Vietnamese restaurant (grainy, chili seeds, ect.) and IMHO, it is so unlike the French version that I can NOT recommend it to anyone. You might as well get the Vietnamese (?) Chili sauce at your local market.

[missyp]

FWIW, I couldn't find harissa at the Hollywood Jons today. I was told they don't carry it, which seems surprising.

[timsmom]

Surfas has it but since you have specified your geographical range, have you tried Gelson's?