Harissa sauce (hot licks)

12 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
4Dried chile Anchos
cupTomato paste
4tablespoonsOlive oil
4teaspoonsCayenne
6Cloves (medium) garlic
2teaspoonsCumin
2teaspoonsCoriander
¾cupWater or reconstituted chile water

Directions

Recipe By: Jennifer Trainer Thompson in "Hot Licks".

Reconstitute the anchos by putting them in a pot of hot water and soaking until soft, about 20 minutes. While the chiles are soaking, puree all the ingredients except the water in a blender or food processor.

Remove the anchos from the pot (reserving the water), stem and tear them into several pieces, and add to the blender. Taste the chile water, and if not bitter, add ¾ cup to the blender (otherwise add water). Puree until smooth. For a thinner sauce, add more chile water in small increments until you reach the desired consistency. Refrigerated, harissa will keep for several weeks.

NOTES : This rip-roaring North African and French hot sauce made with cayenne (called "the enraged pepper" by the French) is served with many things -- stews, grilled mussels, even bread. Its thick, paste- like consistency makes it a flavorful side accompaniment to grilled meats, or it can be thinned with chile water and served over couscous. MAKES 1½ CUPS.

cjackson@... (Curtis Jackson)

CHILE-HEADS ARCHIVES

From the Chile-Heads recipe list. Downloaded from Glen's MM Recipe Archive, .