Sauces & Condiments

After a week of enjoying some of the best (probably debatable) peppersauce while tasting Barbados, I thought I’d share my take on this classic Caribbean hot sauce. We were in Barbados for the annual Food and Rum Festival and like the rest of the Caribbean, there were an assortment of pepper sauces to accompany every dish we had. Bajans (Barbadians) are VERY passionate about their pepper sauces and while this recipe is not as “traditional”, it could rival any we enjoyed while in Barbados.

You’ll Need…

16 Scotch Bonnet Peppers
3/4 cup white vinegar
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon chopped turmeric
2 tablespoon chopped cilantro
3/4 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt (I used Sea Salt)

Note: While this recipe falls under the gluten free category I ask you to go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Also note that this is a “PepperSauce” so it’s meant to be VERY spicy, however you can leave out the seeds of the peppers to tame things down slightly. Wear gloves and wash your hands with spaod and water immediately after handling such hot peppers.

Wash and remove the stems from the Scotch Bonnet peppers (works well with Habanero peppers as well), then give them a rough chop. Smash the garlic and also give the cilantro a rough chop. If you’re in the Caribbean and have access to shado beni, you can use a couple leaves of that instead of the cilantro. Peel or scrape the skin off the turmeric and give it a rough chop as well. Please note that the turmeric may stain your fingers a brilliant yellow/orange color.

Then it’s just a matter of placing all the ingredients into a blender or food processor and working until it’s smooth (or you can pulse it if you want the peppersuace a bit chunky).

While speaking to people in Barbados, there seemed to be as many people who agree on cooking this sauce as there were people who said to leave it raw. I left it raw as I find that cooking takes away some of the heat of the sauce and since I used fresh turmeric, I wanted to maintain most of it’s health benefits. I must mention that the use of turmeric in not necessarily traditional to Bajan pepper sauce, but since I’m not a huge fan of mustard, I went this route (we found Bajan pepper sauces to have strong mustard undertones). If you prefer to cook this hot sauce, bring it to a boil and immediately reduce it to a gentle simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Since we used white vinegar as a base this will be fine in a bottle on your counter for a couple months or in the fridge for about 4 months. Also note that I’ve found that placing hot sauces in the fridge also tapers the heat level as time goes by.

Look for more recipes inspired by our trip to Barbados in the coming weeks. Are you following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram yet? Join in on the fun today!

Screaming Fruity Peppersauce (Hot Sauce)

May 28, 2025October 4, 20165 Comments

Every summer I try to plant many of the herbs, vegetables and peppers I use in the recipes I share, in the little garden I have at the back of our home. Nothing gives me pleasure than knowing what went into growing my food and there’s always a sense of accomplishment as well for me. Every year I try to plant a variety of HOT peppers, ranging from the insane stuff to mild and flavorful. This homemade pepper-sauce is not about the mild – unfortunately. We’re going for raw heat with the peppers I’ll be using, However with the addition of the frozen berries things will balance off naturally.

You’ll Need…

10-12 HOT peppers (your choice)
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-2 cups frozen berries
1 lime
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoon chopped parsley
1-2 tablespoon brown sugar

* Berries included – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and cherries AND I used an assortment of fiery peppers. IMPORTANT! Wear gloves when handling hot peppers and be SURE to wash your hands with soap and water IMMEDIATELY after.

Wash, drain/dry and trim off the stems off the peppers, then chop roughly. Smash the garlic and give the parsley a rough chop, before adding all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Be sure to open your kitchen windows or have the exhaust fan above your stove on, to vent the fumes of the peppers cooking.

You can use any frozen berries you have access to and if all you have is white vinegar, don’t worry – it will be fine.

As soon as it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to very gentle simmer and allow it to cook for about 25-30 minutes. Remember to vent the kitchen or cook outdoors.

Turn the stove off, then go in with an electric stick blender and puree to the consistency you like (I like it smooth). Taste for salt (adjust) and you’re free to add a bit more brown sugar if you want it a bit more sweet and the final thing is to go in with the juice of the lime. Bottle, cool and store in the fridge.

If you don’t have a stick blender you can use a traditional standing blender or food processor. I’d recommend allowing the cooked peppers to cool down a bit to avoid burning yourself while it blends.

Not your typical “Caribbean” peppersauce, but I assure you, you’ll be come a fan of it. BTW, not sure if I mentioned this to you before or not, but when traveling to the Caribbean don’t ask for hot sauce.. do like an islander and say, pass the peppa-sauce please!

Gluten Free Sauces & Condiments Vegetarian

Simple Tamarind Chutney Recipe.

May 28, 2025January 18, 20166 Comments

Here’s another one of those spicy condiments I grew up enjoying with many of the street food sold outside the gates of my secondary school in San Fernando, Trinidad at recess and lunch time. Usually used as a dipping sauce for Pholourie and Saheena… and as a topping for doubles and aloo pies. But I think we most enjoyed it on it’s own, as a thick savory sauce when our taste buds craved something exciting (especially when we didn’t have enough money for the pholourie). You’ll find that I did stray a bit from the traditional type recipes, however you’ll enjoy the subtle complex flavors.

You’ll Need…

12-14 tamarinds
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper diced
1/2 onion diced
2 scallions diced
2 tablespoon chopped shado beni (or cilantro)
1/2 teaspoon salt (see note below)
2 tablespoon brown sugar
2 cloves garlic (diced or crushed)
2 1/2 cups water + 1 cup
1/2 lime (juice)

Note – depending on how tart (sour) your tamarind is you may need a bit more salt and brown sugar. If tamarind pulp (solid block, not the liquid) is available in your grocery store, it will save you having to remove the shell/seeds (would have already been removed).

Important! If doing this recipe according to a gluten free diet, be sure to go through the entire list of ingredients to ensure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary requirements.

Crack the shell of the tamarinds and remove the pulp. Discard the shell and stringy bits, and get ready to cook. It will be sticky on your fingers.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and add the pulp, reduce to a simmer and cook for about 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool, so you can safely handle it.

As it simmers, prep you other ingredients (chop finely or puree).

With the boiled tamarind pulp cool, it’s now time to use your hand/fingers and remove the hard seeds on the inside (discard).

Place the pot back on a medium flame and add another cup of water – bring to a boil.

Now go in with all the other ingredients and after it comes to a boil, reduce to a simmer and allow to cook for another 20 minutes.

At this point all the flavors should have combined nicely, so it’s time to use a blender or stick blender to puree it into a sauce (with texture). Or you can add a bit more water and allow it to cook longer until everything breakdown into the sauce consistency you like. Be sure to taste for salt and sugar and adjust accordingly as some tamarind can be a bit more tart than others. Tamarind chutney is supposed to be the perfect balance between tart, sweet and spicy!

You can place it in a glass container and store in the fridge for at least 1 week.

Sauces & Condiments Vegetarian

The Ultimate Pepper Choka Recipe.

May 28, 2025December 8, 20152 Comments

Not sure if it was the way I was dressed/looked or the washed-down accent I used in placing my order, but the doubles vendor inside West Bees supermarket in Diego Martin (Trinidad) took time from her busy lunchtime line of customers to warn me “son be careful eh, this rheel hot“. Pepper choka is one of the many SPICY condiments you’ll find at most street vendors throughout the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Scotch Bonnet (known locally as congo pepper) peppers, fire-roasted and made into a chunky sort of salsa.

WARNING! This is extremely hot.. but so GOOD! You’ll see me add some ingredients which takes the recipe away from being completely traditional. However, they were items fresh from my garden and I love changing things up a bit. If you click on Recipe Index above, you’ll find a more traditional recipe there.

You’ll Need…

4 scotch bonnet peppers
2 chocolate seven pot peppers (7 pod)
2 ghost peppers (bhut jolokia)
5 cloves garlic (1 tablespoon olive oil to grill)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small red onion
1 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
8-10 cherry tomatoes (optional)

Note: if you can get ‘green’ – mature but not ripe (red or yellow) scotch bonnets, you’ll find that the heat is a little less pronounced and the flavor is quite unique. I used a variety of hot peppers as I had them growing in my garden, but you’re free to use mainly scotch bonnets (habaneros work great as well) if that is all you can get access to.

Basically you want to flame roast these for maximum flavor, but you can also roast them off in your oven. If you do use the oven, be sure to open the windows in your home or you’ll choke with the scent of the roasted peppers. Place the garlic cloves in a piece of tin foil and drizzle with olive oil. Direct roast the peppers (I used my outdoor grill) and place the garlic cloves away from direct heat. Flip the peppers so they roast evenly on all sides. Takes between 4-6 minutes.

While my peppers roasted I harvested some cherry tomatoes and parsley from my garden. The tomatoes were SWEET, so I didn’t want to grill them (add a bit of sweetness and additional texture to the choka), but if you want you can use 2 large tomatoes and grill them as well.

In a heavy bowl place the salt and garlic and crush till smooth (I used a traditional ponger) but you can do this step in a mortar and pestle. Then go in with the peppers (minus the stems) and crush.. don’t make it smooth as you want some texture from this. Then top with the chopped tomatoes, parsley and thinly slice onion. If you have lemons, you can go in with a couple tablespoons for a much brighter flavor.

Heat the 3 tablespoons of olive oil till it starts to smoke, then pour it over everything and mix well. This step is called chunkay!

This is wickedly HOT, but such a tasty and mothering condiment. I guess this could pass for being the English Caribbean version of salsa? Store in a container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Whenever you’re going to use some, heat it for about 20 seconds in the microwave to awaken the flavors.

Sauces & Condiments Vegetarian

Quickest Pholourie Recipe Ever.

May 28, 2025November 21, 20151 Comment

Pholouire is one of those popular vegetarian street foods you’ll find being sold throughout Trinidad and Tobago, alongside “Doubles” and Aloo Pies. Usually served hot out of the fryer, with a side of spicy chutney (Mango | Mango chutney, Tamarind sauce, Coconut or Cucumber) and relatively cheap. This recipe is a sort of hack version (save you time), showing how you can use a pre-packaged mix with great results. If you’re looking for a ‘from scratch’ recipe for making pholouire, click on Recipe Index at the top of this page.

You’ll Need…

1 package of pholourie mix
1 scallion (green parts only)
1 tablespoon shado beni (culantro) or cilantro will work
1/2 small scotch bonnet pepper (optional) no seeds.

* 2-3 cups veg oil for frying.

* I like using a green scotch bonnet pepper (not fully developed) as you get a lovely flavor and a milder heat level.

Click here >> Tamarind Sauce for the demo video showing how to make the Tamarind Sauce to serve this with.

Basically all you’re doing is following the method according to the package instructions. To enhance things I added the other ingredients mentioned in the list above (finely chopped). You can leave out the scotch bonnet pepper if you wish as the Tamarind sauce will have a bit of heat to it.

In my case I believe the package asked that I allow it to rest for a couple minutes before frying, so during this time I heated my veg oil in a deep pan on a med/high heat. You have two options when it comes to forming the small dough balls for frying. 1 – you can use a teaspoon to scoop out and add to the heated oil or 2 – you can use your fingers to pinch off bits and add to the hot oil. I oiled my fingers (so the dough would not stick to it) and pinched off a teaspoon size bit and added it to my hot oil. There is a traditional way of placing the dough in your hands and squeezing the right amount between your fingers – sadly I don’t make pholouire often so I never perfected that technique.

Fry for about 4-5 minutes until they puff -up and go golden in colour. Set on paper towels to soak up the extra oil and serve warm.

I know there will be questions about which “mix” to use.. since I don’t get any sort of backing by these companies I’ll prefer not to endorse any. However if you go to your fav Caribbean / West Indian store there should be a couple options for you to choose from. Just personalize it a bit as we did and follow the instructions on the package and you should be fine. The funny thing is I got this mix at a Chinese grocery store.

Gluten Free Sauces & Condiments Vegetarian

Ultimate Caribbean Salsa Topping For Tacos, Hotdogs & Burgers.

May 28, 2025October 13, 20151 Comment

When some of your youngest fans get their mom to contact you “mom can you contact Chris to see if he can do a Caribbean taco recipe for us?” you know you have to jump into action. So the first thing I cranked out was the topping for said taco. During the summer months this also works as a great topping for grilled burgers and hot dogs. And when those cold wintry weekends kicks in and I want to brighten up my mood… I put a side of this with my eggs at breakfast! Versatile indeed!

You’ll Need…

2 cups diced pineapple
1 1/2 cups diced mango
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper (no seeds)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 lime (juice)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
3/4 cup diced tomato

* optionally you can add diced cucumber, scallions and for more of a kick you can add a bit more scotch bonnet pepper. If doing this recipe gluten free be sure to go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs.

Prep all the ingredients. Remember when handling scotch bonnet peppers to wear gloves and wash your hands immediately after with soap and water. You can leave out the scotch bonnet pepper or opt for a milder pepper if you wish. Do not use any seeds or the white membrane surrounding the seeds as that’s where the ‘raw’ heat will be. Basically you’re dicing all the ingredients somewhat the same size.

Then place it all in a large bowl and mix well. Place in the fridge to chill and marinate for about 30 minutes so all the flavors come together.

Hoping to have the taco recipe done in the coming days as I’m sure my little friends are eagerly waiting. It still amazes me that there are kids as young as 1 and 2 years old who watch me on Youtube on the regular and find me entertaining. Brings a joy to my heart to know that I’m helping to preserve and curate my/our culinary culture. Thank you to mom, dad and all the elders who are allowing the young ones to tune in (I’ll keep that in mind when I’m recording to keep the content family friendly). BTW, you can store this in the fridge for about 1 week before it starts to fall apart on you and loose it’s texture and zing.