Spicy West African Chili Blend
Elevate your meals with this Spicy West African Chili Blend, a vibrant and flavorful sauce that will tantalize your taste buds! Made from a blend of fresh peppers, tomatoes, and traditional spices, this sauce is perfect for adding a fiery kick to grilled meats, stews, or even as a zesty dipping sauce. With its rich flavors stemming from simple, wholesome ingredients, it's a must-try for anyone looking to explore West African cuisine. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be stored for weeks, ready to enhance any dish you prepare.
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
hot peppers or pickled jalapeno peppers
3-4 or 60g (cleaned and cut into small pieces or drained and washed)
tomato
1 (cut into small pieces)
small onions
2 (chopped)
garlic cloves
5 (peeled)
gingerroot
1-2 cm (peeled)
ground cayenne pepper
1/2 tablespoon (none)
Maggi liquid seasoning
2 teaspoons (none)
sea salt
1 pinch (none)
olive oil
1/4 cup (or more if necessary)
Instructions
1
Start by placing the hot peppers (or jalapeno slices), tomato, chopped onions, peeled garlic, and ginger into a food processor.
2
Add the ground cayenne pepper and Maggi seasoning to the mixture.
3
Blend everything until you achieve a smooth consistency, adjusting based on your texture preference.
4
Pour the blended pepper mixture into a small saucepan over medium heat, bringing it to a gentle boil.
5
Allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid sticking.
6
Midway through cooking, drizzle in the olive oil and continue to simmer.
7
Once cooked, season the sauce with a pinch of sea salt to taste.
8
Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool completely before transferring it to a container with a lid.
9
For optimal freshness, refrigerate the sauce; it can last about a week in the fridge.
10
For longer shelf life, ensure that the sauce is fully submerged in oil when stored.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy West African Chili Blend?
It is a vibrant and flavorful sauce made from a blend of fresh peppers, tomatoes, and traditional spices, perfect for adding a fiery kick to meals.
What are the primary ingredients in this recipe?
The main ingredients include hot peppers, tomato, small onions, garlic cloves, gingerroot, ground cayenne pepper, Maggi liquid seasoning, sea salt, and olive oil.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 10 servings.
Can I use pickled jalapeños instead of fresh hot peppers?
Yes, you can use 60g of pickled jalapeño slices as an alternative to fresh hot peppers.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this chili blend is vegetarian-friendly as it contains only plant-based ingredients and seasonings.
How should I prepare the tomato for this blend?
The tomato should be cut into small pieces before being placed in the food processor.
How much garlic is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 5 peeled garlic cloves.
What size should the gingerroot be?
You should use about 1-2 cm of gingerroot, peeled before blending.
What is the purpose of the Maggi liquid seasoning?
Maggi liquid seasoning is used to add a traditional savory depth and umami flavor to the West African sauce.
What type of oil is recommended?
The recipe specifies using 1/4 cup of olive oil, or more if necessary.
How do I start the cooking process?
Start by placing the peppers, tomato, onions, garlic, and ginger into a food processor with the cayenne and Maggi seasoning.
What consistency should the blended mixture have?
You should blend everything until you achieve a smooth consistency, though you can adjust it based on your texture preference.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer for about 10 minutes over medium heat.
Why do I need to stir the sauce while it simmers?
Stirring frequently prevents the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
When do I add the olive oil during cooking?
Drizzle in the olive oil midway through the 10-minute simmering process.
Can I adjust the salt level?
Yes, once cooked, you should season the sauce with a pinch of sea salt to taste.
Is it necessary to cool the sauce before storing?
Yes, you should remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool completely before transferring it to a storage container.
How long can I keep the sauce in the refrigerator?
The sauce can last about a week in the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
How can I extend the shelf life of the chili blend?
To ensure a longer shelf life, make sure the sauce is fully submerged in oil when stored.
What food pairings are recommended for this sauce?
It is perfect for grilled meats, stews, or even as a zesty dipping sauce.
Does this recipe contain cayenne pepper?
Yes, it includes 1/2 tablespoon of ground cayenne pepper for extra heat.
What category of food does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized under Peppers and serves as a condiment or chili sauce.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe requires 2 small onions, chopped.
Can I make this sauce if I don't have a food processor?
While a food processor is easiest for achieving a smooth consistency, you could use a blender or very finely mince the ingredients manually.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe that is quick to prepare and cook.
Does the recipe provide nutritional information like calories?
Nutritional data such as calories, fat, and carbohydrates are not specified in this particular recipe record.
What kind of salt is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using sea salt for seasoning.
Is this an authentic West African dish?
Yes, it is tagged as West African cuisine and uses traditional spices common to the region.
How many ingredients total are used?
There are a total of 9 ingredients used in this blend.
Can this sauce be used as a meal enhancer?
Absolutely, it is designed to elevate your meals and add a vibrant flavor to various dishes.