Habanero Hot Sauce

This spicy habanero hot sauce recipe is made with fiery roasted habanero peppers and plenty of garlic. It is ideal for spicing up your favorite foods.

Ingredients

• 10 habanero peppers, seeded and halved
• 6 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 cup carrot (120 g), chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 2 cups water (240 mL)
• ¼ cup lime juice (60 mL)
• ¼ cup white vinegar (60 mL)

Directions

Prepare the Peppers and Garlic

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat the oven to 425˚F (220˚C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Arrange Peppers and Garlic:
   Place the halved habanero peppers and smashed garlic cloves on the baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with Olive Oil:
   Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and use tongs to evenly toss and coat the peppers and garlic. Note: Avoid touching the peppers with your bare hands as they can cause skin irritation.

Roast the Peppers and Garlic

1. Roast:
   Roast in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the edges of the peppers begin to brown. This roasting process helps to bring out the natural sweetness and deepen the flavors of the peppers and garlic.

Cook the Vegetables

1. Heat Oil:
   Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over high heat in a large pot.
2. Cook Vegetables:
   Add the chopped carrot, onion, and salt. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender and glossy. This step ensures the carrots and onions are soft enough to blend smoothly and adds a depth of flavor to the sauce.

Combine and Simmer

1. Add Ingredients:
   Add the water, lime juice, white vinegar, roasted peppers, and garlic to the pot. Stir to combine.
2. Simmer:
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Simmering allows the flavors to meld together, creating a harmonious and well-balanced hot sauce.

Blend the Sauce

1. Cool Slightly:
   Remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
2. Blend:
   Carefully transfer the vegetable mixture to a blender. Tip: If your blender is not large enough to handle the entire mixture at once, you may need to blend in batches. Blend on high speed until the sauce is completely smooth.

Store the Sauce

1. Transfer to Bottle:
   Pour the hot sauce into a clean bottle or jar using a funnel.
2. Refrigerate:
   Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The flavors will continue to develop and intensify over time, making the sauce even more delicious after a day or two.

Serve and Enjoy

1. Serving Suggestions:
   Use this habanero hot sauce to add a spicy kick to your favorite dishes. It pairs wonderfully with tacos, eggs, grilled meats, and more. Enjoy the vibrant fiery flavor that this homemade hot sauce brings to your meals.

Additional Tips

• Adjusting Spice Levels: If you prefer a milder sauce, you can reduce the number of habanero peppers or mix in some milder peppers like bell peppers.
• Sterilizing Bottles: To extend the shelf life of your storage bottles or jars, sterilize them by boiling them in water for 10 minutes before filling them with hot sauce.
• Flavor Variations: Experiment by adding other ingredients such as pineapple for sweetness, cilantro for freshness, or smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.

This Habanero Hot Sauce is a versatile and vibrant addition to your condiment collection. Its fiery heat and robust flavor will elevate any dish. Enjoy the spicy goodness!