Spice up your plate: Sauces worth tasting
What's the story
African sauces add a rich tapestry of flavors to everyday vegetarian meals, turning them into culinary delights. These sauces, with their diverse ingredients and unique preparation methods, bring a burst of taste to the table. From spicy to tangy, each sauce has its own character and can be paired with various vegetarian dishes to enhance their flavor profile. Ready to explore?
Fiery flavor
Peri-peri sauce: A spicy kick
Peri-peri sauce is famous for its fiery heat and bold flavor. From Mozambique, the sauce is made from African bird's eye chili peppers, garlic, lemon juice, and vinegar. It adds a spicy kick to any dish it accompanies. For spice lovers, peri-peri sauce can be drizzled over grilled vegetables, or as a marinade for tofu/paneer before grilling/baking.
Aromatic heat
Harissa: North African spice blend
A staple in North African cuisine, harissa is an aromatic blend of spices like cumin, coriander, caraway seeds, and chili peppers. This paste-like sauce adds warmth and depth to dishes without making them overbearing. Harissa goes perfectly with roasted veggies or can be mixed into soups for an added depth of flavor. It's versatility makes it a perfect addition to any vegetarian meal.
Fresh zest
Chermoula: Herbaceous marinade
Chermoula, a herbaceous marinade, is a staple of Moroccan cooking. Made from fresh herbs such as cilantro and parsley blended with garlic, lemon juice, cumin seeds, and olive oil, chermoula lends freshness and a subtle earthiness when brushed on roasted eggplant slices or tossed through couscous salads before serving them up at your next gathering.
Bold taste
Shito sauce: Ghanaian pepper delight
Shito sauce hails from Ghana, where it is used as a condiment and seasoning agent because of its intense flavors. The flavors are extracted mainly by blending dried fish powder (optional), ginger root paste, and hot pepper flakes, creating a thick, dark-colored concoction. It goes perfectly with rice-based dishes like jollof rice and stews alike, also making a great dip option for fried plantains too!