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Spicy West Indian Pepper Sauce Recipe

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West Indian Pepper Sauce Recipe

Overview

A staple in Caribbean cuisine, this fiery West Indian Pepper Sauce is a bold, flavorful condiment that can transform any meal. Whether you use it as a spicy dip, add it to your soups, stews, or curries, or drizzle it over your favorite dishes, it brings a punch of heat and a distinctive, unique flavor. This recipe is perfect for those who enjoy intense, savory heat in their food. Just a little goes a long way, so use it sparingly until you get accustomed to its heat.

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantity
Hot chili pepper 1
Onion 1/2
Garlic 2 cloves
Pawpaw (Papaya) 3 slices
Turmeric 1/2 tsp
Salt 1 1/2 tsp
Malt vinegar 1/4 cup

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Nutrient Amount
Calories 461.3
Fat Content 2.2 g
Saturated Fat Content 0.3 g
Cholesterol Content 0 mg
Sodium Content 3564 mg
Carbohydrate Content 108.1 g
Fiber Content 16.9 g
Sugar Content 56.2 g
Protein Content 21.3 g

Directions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables
    Start by peeling and finely chopping the onion, garlic, and pawpaw (papaya). You will want to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you begin cooking.

  2. Handle the Peppers with Care
    Cut the hot chili peppers, removing the stems and seeds. Note: It’s a good idea to wear plastic gloves when handling the chili peppers, as their oils can cause irritation or even blisters on your skin. After de-seeding, chop them finely to release their heat and flavor.

  3. Cook the Ingredients
    In a small to medium-sized pot, combine all the prepared ingredients: the chili peppers, onion, garlic, pawpaw, turmeric, salt, and malt vinegar. Stir the mixture constantly as it heats up. Bring the contents to a boil over high heat. Let it cook briskly for about 1 minute, or until the onion becomes translucent and the peppers soften and lose their firmness.

  4. Adjust the Consistency
    If the sauce appears too thick, add more malt vinegar to achieve the desired consistency. This will also enhance the tangy flavor of the sauce.

  5. Blend the Mixture
    Once the vegetables are softened and the mixture has cooked down, remove the pot from the heat. Pour the contents into a blender. If you have a handheld blender, feel free to use it directly in the pot for convenience. Blend the mixture at high speed until it is fully pulverized. Some may prefer a smooth, pureed consistency, but others may like a chunkier texture—blend according to your preference.

  6. Cool and Store
    Allow the pepper sauce to cool at room temperature. Once cooled, pour it into a clean, sterilized jar. Be sure that your jar is properly sanitized to ensure the sauce lasts longer and remains safe to consume.

  7. Serving and Storage
    The West Indian Pepper Sauce is now ready to add flavor and heat to your meals! Store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks. It’s best used sparingly due to its potent spiciness, but as you get accustomed to the heat, you’ll likely want to use it more often!

Tips and Variations:

  • Heat Adjustment: You can control the heat of the sauce by removing more seeds from the chili peppers. The more seeds you leave in, the spicier the sauce will be.
  • Additions: Some people like to add a bit of sugar or honey to balance out the heat with sweetness. You can experiment with this depending on your taste preferences.
  • Serving Suggestions: This sauce pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, seafood, or even rice dishes. It’s also excellent as a topping for burgers, sandwiches, or mixed into salad dressings for an extra kick.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This West Indian Pepper Sauce is the perfect condiment for anyone who loves bold, spicy flavors. With simple ingredients that pack a punch, it enhances dishes without overpowering them. It’s versatile enough to be used as both a table condiment and an ingredient for cooking. Plus, it’s vegan, low-cholesterol, and full of fiber, making it a healthy way to add zest to your meals. So if you’re looking for a unique way to spice up your dishes, this sauce will surely become a pantry staple!

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