Red chili pepper hot sauce recipe

Homemade Red Chili Pepper Hot Sauce Recipe 🌶️🔥

    Making your own red chili pepper hot sauce at home is super easy and allows you to customize the spice level to your liking. Whether you prefer a mild heat or an intense fiery sauce, this recipe can be adjusted to suit your taste. Here’s how to make a delicious homemade hot sauce:

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Ingredients:

• 10-12 dried red chilies (or fresh red chilies, if preferred)
• 4-5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 1 cup vinegar (white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar work well)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, balances out the heat)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup water (or as needed for desired consistency)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or any vegetable oil)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for a bit of tang)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for extra smokiness, optional)
• Optional: 1 tablespoon tomato paste (for a richer flavor)

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Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Red Chilies 🌶️

1. If using dried red chilies, remove the stems and seeds (for a milder sauce, or leave them for extra heat).
   • Soak the dried chilies in hot water for about 10-15 minutes to soften them.
   • If using fresh red chilies, simply remove the stems and roughly chop them.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics 🧄🧅

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they turn golden brown and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 3: Blend the Sauce 🌀

4. Once the chilies have softened (if using dried), drain the water and add the chilies to a blender or food processor.
5. Add the sautéed onions and garlic, vinegar, sugar, salt, and any optional ingredients like tomato paste, smoked paprika, or lemon juice to the blender.
6. Blend everything until smooth, adding water little by little if needed to achieve your desired consistency. You want the sauce to be thick but pourable.

Step 4: Cook the Sauce 🍳

7. Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over low heat.
8. Let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This step will help deepen the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly.

Step 5: Adjust Seasoning 🧂

9. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning. If it’s too hot, add a little more sugar to balance the heat. If you want more tanginess, add a bit more vinegar or lemon juice.

Step 6: Cool and Bottle 🍶

10. Let the hot sauce cool down to room temperature.
11. Pour it into a sterilized bottle or jar. You can use a funnel to make this step easier.
12. Store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks.

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Tips:

• For Extra Heat: Use hot red chilies like Thai bird’s eye chilies or habanero peppers. Adjust the amount of seeds left in the chilies based on how spicy you want your sauce.
• For Milder Heat: Use red bell peppers combined with milder varieties of chilies (like ancho or pasilla) for a less intense sauce.
• Fermentation Option: For a deeper, more complex flavor, ferment the sauce for 3-5 days by keeping it in a jar at room temperature. Open the jar every day to release gas and let it breathe.

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Serving Suggestions:

• Use this homemade hot sauce as a condiment on tacos, burgers, sandwiches, or fried foods.
• Mix it into soups, stews, or salsas to add a kick of heat.
• Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, eggs, or grilled meats for extra flavor.

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Conclusion:

This homemade red chili pepper hot sauce is customizable, spicy, and delicious. Whether you want a mild tang or an intense heat, you can adjust the ingredients to suit your personal preference. It’s the perfect addition to your kitchen arsenal, and best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make! Enjoy your fiery creation! 🌶️🔥