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Chili Oil Zeit Har, a condiments dish from Sfax№115
Heat level 3 of 3

Condiments

Chili Oil Zeit Har

Fiery North African chili oil made of coarse dried red chili flakes, garlic, and cumin seeds infused in warm extra virgin olive oil.

20 minutesYield · 1 cup/240 mlRegion · Sfax

Ingredients

What you’ll need

  • 1/2 cup coarse dried red chili flakes (Harissa powder)
  • 3 cloves garlic (sliced)167 kcal · 0 g protein · 0 g fat · 33.3 g carbs per 100 g
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1.5 cups extra virgin olive oil800 kcal · 0 g protein · 93.3 g fat · 0 g carbs per 100 g

Per-100 g values shown for ingredients verified against Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central (snapshot 2026-09-11). Ingredients not yet verified show no nutrition line.

Method

How it comes together

  1. 1

    Combine dried chili flakes, sliced garlic, cumin seeds, and olive oil in a heavy saucepan.

  2. 2

    Heat gently over low heat until oil reaches 180°F (82°C). Cook at this low temperature for 15 minutes (garlic should bubble gently but not brown).

  3. 3

    Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour.

  4. 4

    Strain oil through a fine-mesh sieve into clean glass jars, or leave the chili flakes in for a hotter, rustic oil. Store in a dark cupboard.

Safety note

The requested name is treated as descriptive rather than canonical. Keeping all inclusions fully dried reduces—but does not eliminate—spoilage risk.

Kitchen note

Infrared thermometer is highly recommended; overheating olive oil will burn the chilies and turn the oil bitter.

Record status

Editorial provenance

This entry is part of a source-led culinary archive. It should be read as an editorial recipe record, not as a claim of individual kitchen testing or a single definitive version of a living regional tradition.

5 source references are listed with this record where available. Read the editorial standards.

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