Skhug sauce is the hot sauce of choice in the Middle East, made from chili peppers, cilantro, and various spices. It can be red or green, depending on the color of the chilis.
10-14 fresh serrano chilis, seeded if you want less spice and coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
6-8 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon freshly ground caraway seeds
1 teaspoon freshly ground cumin seeds
½ teaspoon freshly ground green cardamom
1 bunch of cilantro, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup packed)
½ cup chopped parsley
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1-4 teaspoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and blend until a smooth paste forms.
Recipe adapted from Aglaia Kremezi’s Mediterranean Hot and Spicy. Photo: istockphoto.com.