Mahlab is a spice made from the ground seeds of the St. Lucie cherry, which is a type of cherry native to the Middle East. It has a unique flavor that is slightly sweet and nutty, with a hint of bitterness. You may also see it referred to as mahleb, mahaleb, mahlepi seeds or mahlep.
Mahlab is often used in baking, particularly in breads, donuts, biscuits, cakes and pastries, and it is also used to flavor liqueurs and other alcoholic beverages. Some people also use it to flavor savory dishes, such as rice and meat dishes, or to add flavor to sauces and marinades.
If you are looking to use mahlab in your cooking, you might try adding it to bread or cookie dough, cakes or other baked goods, or you could try using it to flavor a meat or rice dish.
You can purchase mahlab in Arabic stores but may need to make it yourself as it can difficult to find. We’ll discuss this in more detail below along with other pertinent information regarding this flavorful spice.
Recipe ideas that include mahlab
Mahlab has a strong taste that is on the one hand sweet and nutty but slightly bitter on the other, particularly with regards to the aftertaste. You will often find that dishes that use it do so in a small amount, where it is not the dominant taste.
While mahlab is popular in Middle Eastern cuisine you will also find it used in European dishes particularly in Greek, Turkish and Armenian cultures.
Here are a few ideas for recipes that feature mahlab:
- Mahlab cookies: These cookies are made with a mixture of ground almonds, butter, sugar, and mahlab, and they have a unique and flavorful taste.
- Mahlab bread: You can add mahlab to your bread dough to give it a unique and fragrant flavor.
- Mahlab cake: This Middle Eastern-style cake is made with ground almonds, sugar, eggs, and mahlab, and it is often served with a sweet syrup or glaze.
- Mahlab chicken: To make this dish, you can marinate chicken breasts in a mixture of yogurt, mahlab, and other spices, then grill or bake the chicken until it is cooked through.
- Mahlab rice: To add flavor to your rice, you can sauté some minced onions in butter or oil, then add the rice and mahlab and cook until the rice is tender.
How to make mahlab at home
Mahlab can be difficult to find in stores, especially outside of the Middle East, so you may need to make it at home if you want to use it in your cooking.
To make mahlab, you will need to start with some St. Lucie cherry seeds. You can purchase these online or at a specialty spice store. Once you have the seeds, you can grind them in a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle until they are finely ground.
St. Lucie cherry seeds can also be difficult to find in stores especially outside of the Middle East. If you are having trouble finding them locally, you can try searching online retailers that specialize in Middle Eastern or Mediterranean ingredients.
Alternatively, you may be able to purchase pre-ground mahlab from an online retailer or specialty Arab spice store. They typically come in small plastic or glass jars similar to the ones you normally see spices sold in.
How to use mahlab in cooking
To use mahlab in your cooking, you can simply add a pinch or two to your recipe as desired. Keep in mind that mahlab has a strong flavor, so you should use it sparingly until you get a feel for how much you like.
You can also toast the ground mahlab in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes before adding it to your recipe to bring out its flavor. This can be especially helpful if you are using it in a savory dish.
Some people also detect a hint of almond or rosewater in the flavor of mahlab. Because of its distinctive taste, mahlab is often used in small amounts to add flavor to baked goods and other dishes, rather than being used as a dominant flavor.
If you are unfamiliar with mahlab, you may want to start with a small amount and adjust the amount to your taste as needed.