I ran our grocery bill up by an additional, oh, almost $20 this week. Why? Because I didn't have all the spices I needed to make Ras El Hanout, which is actually nothing more than a blend of a bunch of different spices. (Alternate recipe here. I used a combination of the two.)

And why did I need to make Ras El Hanout? Because this marvelous recipe requires it. Ohmigod... It was easy to make, and the apricots provided just a hint of tartness that was perfect with the pork. I dumped a teaspoon of the Ras El Hanout into the rice I served under the pork and sauce, and that was nice, too...

I'm already pondering a multitude of variations. But for now, I can still smell the spices clinging to my fingers, sweet and sharp and just a little bit exotic in their peculiar combinations...

Many thanks to Grissy, who pointed me at this recipe.