Spicy Roasted Pepper Harissa Sauce
This Spicy Roasted Pepper Harissa Sauce is a vibrant and flavorful condiment that packs a punch! Combining the sweetness of roasted red bell peppers with the heat from Fresno and habanero chilies, this sauce is a versatile addition to any dish. Chef John says, 'A small spoonful of this makes virtually any savory dish better.' Perfect for marinades, dips, or drizzling over grilled meats and vegetables, this sauce brings a delightful kick and a depth of flavor to your meals. Enjoy it as a spicy accompaniment to your favorite dishes and elevate your cooking!
6
Servings
33
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Red bell peppers
2 (halved and seeded)
Fresno chili peppers
6 (whole)
Habanero pepper
1 (whole)
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for blending)
Caraway seed
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Coriander seed
1/4 teaspoon (more to taste)
Ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon
Dried mint
1/2 teaspoon
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Garlic cloves
4 (peeled)
Lemon
1 (juiced)
Extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (for drizzling)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven's broiler and position the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2
Place the halved red bell peppers cut-side down on the baking sheet. Broil for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the skins are charred and blistered. Remove from the oven, place in a bowl, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let the peppers steam for about 20 minutes until cool enough to handle. Once cool, peel off and discard the skins.
3
While the bell peppers are steaming, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the Fresno and habanero chilies and cook uncovered for about 3 minutes, or until they start to soften. Drain and allow to cool, then remove the seeds and membranes (be sure to wear gloves when handling the spicy peppers).
4
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the caraway and coriander seeds for about 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Transfer the toasted seeds to a mortar and pestle, adding cumin, mint, and salt; grind into a fine powder.
5
In a blender, combine the roasted bell peppers, prepared chilies, garlic, lemon juice, and vegetable oil. Puree until the mixture is completely smooth.
6
Finally, drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil and blend for a few extra seconds to incorporate. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed; add more salt or spices if desired.
7
Transfer the Harissa sauce to a jar or serving bowl, and enjoy in a variety of dishes—a small spoonful goes a long way!
Nutrition Information
1.7g
Fat
3.3g
Carbs
0.7g
Protein
0.8g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Roasted Pepper Harissa Sauce?
It is a vibrant and flavorful condiment that combines the sweetness of roasted red bell peppers with the heat of Fresno and habanero chilies.
What did Chef John say about this Harissa sauce?
Chef John mentions that 'A small spoonful of this makes virtually any savory dish better.'
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the primary peppers used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 red bell peppers, 6 Fresno chili peppers, and 1 habanero pepper.
Is this Harissa sauce gluten-free?
Yes, according to the recipe tags, this sauce is gluten-free.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Spicy Roasted Pepper Harissa Sauce is tagged as vegetarian.
How many calories are in one serving of the sauce?
There are 33 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 1.7g of fat.
How much sugar is in the Harissa sauce?
There is 1g of sugar per serving.
How should I prepare the red bell peppers?
Halve and seed the bell peppers, then broil them cut-side down for 5 to 8 minutes until charred.
How do I remove the skins from the roasted bell peppers?
After broiling, place them in a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap for 20 minutes to steam, which makes the skins easy to peel off.
How are the Fresno and habanero chilies prepared?
Boil them in salted water for 3 minutes until soft, then drain, cool, and remove the seeds and membranes.
Should I wear gloves while making this sauce?
Yes, it is recommended to wear gloves when handling the spicy Fresno and habanero peppers.
Which spices need to be toasted?
The caraway seeds and coriander seeds should be toasted in a dry skillet until fragrant.
How long should I toast the caraway and coriander seeds?
Toast them for about 2 minutes over medium heat.
What other spices are added to the toasted seeds?
Once toasted, add ground cumin, dried mint, and salt before grinding them into a fine powder.
How is the sauce base mixed?
Combine the roasted peppers, prepared chilies, garlic, lemon juice, and vegetable oil in a blender and puree until smooth.
When is the extra virgin olive oil added?
Drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil after the initial puree is smooth and blend for a few extra seconds to incorporate.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 4 peeled garlic cloves.
What type of salt is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt, adjusted to taste.
What can I use this Harissa sauce for?
It is perfect for marinades, dips, or drizzling over grilled meats and vegetables.
How much fiber does this sauce contain?
Each serving contains 0.8g of fiber.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 3.3g of carbohydrates in each serving.
Can I adjust the spice level of the sauce?
Yes, you can taste and adjust the seasoning, salt, or spices at the end of the blending process.
How far does the oven rack need to be from the heat source for broiling?
Position the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
Does this recipe include mint?
Yes, it uses 1/2 teaspoon of dried mint.
What kind of vegetable oil should I use?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of standard vegetable oil for blending and 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil for finishing.
How much protein is in this sauce?
The sauce contains 0.7g of protein per serving.
What is the best way to grind the spices?
Transfer the toasted seeds to a mortar and pestle and grind them into a fine powder.
Where should I store the finished sauce?
Transfer the sauce to a jar or a serving bowl to enjoy with your favorite dishes.