Shito sauce, a condiment originating from Ghana, is the epitome of flavor and spice. This sauce is renowned for its rich, aromatic blend of tomatoes, habanero peppers, and an array of spices. If you’re a fan of bold, spicy, and deeply satisfying flavors, shito sauce is a must-try addition to your culinary repertoire.
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❤️ Why you’ll love it
Shito sauce is bursting with bold African flavor,similar to hot sauce,so it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re a fan of heat,you’ll love this sauce –it’s a staple in Ghanaian cuisine,almost like the West African version of ketchup!
The fiery kick of habanero peppers meets the earthy warmth of spices like ground crayfish,smoked paprika,and shrimp powder. This relish,which has a rich texture,can elevate even the plainest dishes,transforming them into a flavorful masterpiece.
Whether you’re a spice aficionado or simply craving something new and exciting,this hot pepper sauce is sure to delight your taste buds.
🧾 Ingredients Used
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- Roma Tomatoes: The base of the sauce,Roma tomatoes provide a rich,tomatoey goodness.
- : These fiery little peppers bring the heat and an unmistakable kick to the sauce.
- Aromatics: Onions and garlic provide depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used for sautéing the aromatics and adds a subtle richness to the sauce.
- Spices: This medley of spices,including black pepper,ground crayfish,,and salt,adds layers of flavor,ranging from earthy to smoky and spicy.
🔪 How To Make This Recipe
- Blend the roma tomatoes and habanero peppers in a food processor with a touch of water to create a smooth,fiery base.
- In a large pot,heat some olive oil over medium heat,then add the finely chopped onion and garlic. Sauté them until they turn translucent and aromatic.
- Carefully pour the blended tomato and pepper mix into the non-stick pot.
- Add the ground crayfish,shrimp powder,and the other spices to the pot.
- Stir thoroughly and let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes or until it darkens in color to a dark brown,and most of the water has evaporated. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the spices to your liking.
- Once the sauce has reached the desired flavor and consistency,transfer it to an airtight container for storage.
🥫 Storing and Reheating
Shito sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a considerable time. To reheat,simply scoop out the desired amount and warm it in a pot or microwave until it’s the right temperature for your meal.
It is possible to store this condiment outside of the fridge,but you’ll need to make sure it’s cooked well,then cover it in oil in an airtight container,which acts as a preservative.
Feel free to pop it in the freezer to store it for up to six months. Just leave it in the refrigerator to thaw when you’re ready to use it.
💭 Tips and Variations
- Experiment with the spice levels to suit your preferred heat level.
- If you don’t have any Roma tomatoes on hand,you can substitute them with tomato paste or tomato sauce.
- You can swap out the olive oil for another kind of vegetable oil,like avocado oil or rapeseed oil.
- Add extra ingredients like smoked fish or prawns for a seafood twist.
- Customize this sauce by adjusting the spices to your liking. Some like it smokier,while others prefer it spicier. You can add extra fish powder,scotch bonnet pepper,or chili powder for an extra kick.
- Add caramelized onions to this sauce for extra flavor.
- You can add fresh bell peppers to this shito sauce for more veggies.
- If you have different kinds of hot peppers on hand,feel free to add these to this sauce for something different.
- If you want a really spicy sauce,add in some red or green scotch bonnets.
- Use powdered onion and garlic for easier prep.
🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?
This shito pepper sauce is incredibly versatile,and you can serve it in a variety of ways. You can use it whenever you would normally use a hot chilli condiment!
While many people serve this over white rice,you can use a keto rice substitute like cauliflower rice instead. It also pairs wonderfully with staples like eggs,beans,grilled meats,and seafood –it’s great as a shrimp paste.
Feel free to use it as a dipping sauce for fried snacks,spread it on sandwiches,put it on wraps,or use it in place of salad dressings for an extra kick. It’s also great in soups where you need to take the heat up a notch,like chili, Keto Turkey Soup,or Mixed Meat Stew.
If you’re throwing a party,this relish also makes a great addition to a cheese board,pairing wonderfully with crackers,meats,and cheeses.
👩🍳 Frequently asked questions
This sauce is an excellent source of Vitamin C,and it’s also a great source of capsaicin,which has anti-inflammatory properties. This element has also been linked to weight loss and heart health,so the short answer is yes,this sauce is healthy!
The English translation of “shito”is “spicy pepper sauce.”
Shito sauce boasts a rich,spicy,and smoky flavor profile,similar to chilli sauce. The heat from habanero peppers is balanced by the depth of the spices and the savory aroma of the simmering sauce.
This sauce is usually made from vegetable or fish oil,dried fish,ginger,tomatoes,garlic,pepper,and other spices. Sometimes,seafood is also added in,like prawns and crustaceans.
📖 Recipe
Shito Sauce (Ghana Spicy Sauce)
Shito sauce,a condiment originating from Ghana,is the epitome of flavor and spice. This sauce is renowned for its rich,aromatic blend of tomatoes,habanero peppers,and an array of spices. If you’re a fan of bold,spicy,and deeply satisfying flavors,shito sauce is a must-try addition to your culinary repertoire.
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Servings:12tablespoon
Calories:24kcal
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Instructions
Blend the roma tomatoes and habanero peppers in a food processor with a little water.
In a large pot,heat some olive oil over medium heat,then add the finely chopped onion and garlic. Sauté them until they turn translucent and aromatic.
Carefully pour the blended tomato and pepper mix into the non-stick pot.
Add the ground crayfish,shrimp powder,and the other spices.
Stir thoroughly and let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes or until it darkens in color to a dark brown,and most of the water has evaporated. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Taste the sauce and adjust the spices to your liking.
Once the sauce has reached the desired flavor and consistency,transfer it to an airtight container for storage.
Notes
- Experiment with the spice levels to suit your preferred heat level.
- If you don’t have any roma tomatoes on hand,you can substitute them with tomato paste or tomato sauce.
- You can swap out the olive oil for another kind of vegetable oil,like avocado oil or rapeseed oil.
- Add extra ingredients like smoked fish or prawns for a seafood twist.
- Customize this sauce by adjusting the spices to your liking. Some like it smokier,while others prefer it spicier. You can add extra fish powder,scotch bonnet pepper,or chili powder for an extra kick.
- Add caramelized onions to this sauce for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Calories:24kcal| Carbohydrates:5g| Protein:1g| Fat:0.3g| Saturated Fat:0.04g| Polyunsaturated Fat:0.1g| Monounsaturated Fat:0.1g| Cholesterol:0.02mg| Sodium:46mg| Potassium:121mg| Fiber:1g| Sugar:1g| Vitamin A:435IU| Vitamin C:5mg| Calcium:7mg| Iron:0.2mg