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Harissa (North African Hot Pepper Sauce)

by Amira Haddad
A fiery and aromatic traditional North African hot pepper sauce that adds a bold kick to any dish. Perfect for stir-fries, marinades, or as a vibrant condiment for grains and roasted vegetables.
Total Time
20 mins
Difficulty
Easy

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Simple Tasty Recipes

Ingredients for 8 Servings

  • 8 oz
    Fresh hot chilies
  • 1/2 tsp
    Yellow asafoetida powder (or minced garlic)
  • 1 tsp
    Ground caraway seeds
  • 1 tsp
    Salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp
    Fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp
    Ground cumin
  • 1 tsp
    Ground coriander
  • 2 tbsp
    Olive oil (optional, for consistency)

Time

  • Preparation Time
    15 mins
  • Cooking Time
    5 mins
  • Total Time
    20 mins

Goes Great with

Method

  1. Wear kitchen gloves to handle the fresh hot chilies to avoid skin irritation. Wash, stem, and roughly chop them.
  2. Place the prepared chilies into a food processor and pulse until they are coarsely ground.
  3. Add the asafoetida (or garlic), caraway, salt, black pepper, cumin, and coriander to the processor.
  4. Process the mixture until it reaches a smooth, paste-like consistency. If you prefer a thinner sauce, drizzle in the olive oil while processing.
  5. Transfer to a sterilized glass jar and keep refrigerated. Let the flavors meld for at least an hour before serving.

Notes:

Always wear gloves when handling hot chilies to protect your hands and eyes. For a deeper flavor, you can toast your whole spices before grinding them. This sauce intensifies in heat and flavor the longer it sits in the fridge. It keeps well for up to two weeks in an airtight container.

Nutrient Amount per serving
Calories 45 kcal
Carbohydrates 6g
Protein 1.2g
Fat 2.5g
Fiber 2g
Goes Great with

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