Made from chilli peppers and various other ingredients, hot sauce has been a staple of human cuisine for millennia. In fact, evidence indicates that people in Mexico, Central America, and South America have been using chill peppers for over 6,000 years – and who can blame them? Life is short, and if you’re not adding a little spice or pumpkin to it, what’s the point?

Origins

It wasn’t until the 16th century that hot sauce really started to take off. Thanks to contact with Spain and Portugal, this American plant was carried across Europe and into Africa and Asia, where it was altered through selective breeding. And before you know it, there were all sorts of different hot sauce recipes popping up all over the world. To grow your own is pretty damn easy, and with the varieties of peppers and chillies with ‘t’s bright and distintive colours, it adds some colour to yard as well.

Nowadays, hot sauce is everywhere. From the shelves of your local grocery store to the Modderfontein Farmers Market, there are countless brands and varieties to choose from. Some are simple, with just a base of chilli peppers, salt, and vinegar. Others get a little more creative, incorporating fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, sugars, and acids to create a unique and flavourful combination.

Do It Yourself Hot Sauce

Various chilli sauces stacked in a row in a plastic shelf at a farmers market.
Copyright © Anthony Gillespie

If you are tired of the same old hot sauce options at the grocery store, Why not spice things up by making your own hot sauce or chutney? With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a condiment that’s truly unique and tailored to your taste buds. Homemade hot sauce and chutney are perfect ways to add a little spice to your meals and impress your guests. Plus, making your own condiments allows you to customize the flavours and heat level to your liking.

Start with a base of chilli peppers – any variety will do, depending on how hot you want your sauce to be. Add in some garlic, onion, and a splash of vinegar for acidity. For sweetness, you can use sugar or fruit like mango or pineapple. To round out the flavour, try adding in some cumin, coriander, or other spices.

Blend everything together in a food processor or blender until you have a smooth consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, then store in a sterilized jar in the fridge.

How About A Chutney Instead

If you want something a little milder, try making your own chutney instead. Start with a base of ripe tomatoes and onions, then add in some fresh cilantro, ginger, and garlic. For sweetness, you can use brown sugar or honey, and for acidity, try adding in some lime juice.

Simmer everything together in a saucepan until the mixture thickens and the flavours meld together. Adjust the seasoning to taste, then let cool before storing in the fridge.

Safety Precautions

It’s important to note that when working with hot peppers, it’s a good idea to wear gloves to protect your skin and avoid irritation. Additionally, be sure to sterilize your jars before storing your homemade hot sauce or chutney to prevent any contamination.

Hot Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of chilli peppers (any variety)
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 onion
  • 1/2 cup of vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon of coriander

Instructions:

  1. Remove the stems from the chilli peppers and chop them roughly.
  2. Peel and chop the garlic and onion.
  3. Add the chilli peppers, garlic, onion, vinegar, sugar, salt, cumin, and coriander to a food processor or blender.
  4. Blend the ingredients until you get a smooth consistency.
  5. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  6. Transfer the hot sauce to a sterilized jar and store it in the fridge.

Homemade Chutney

Ingredients:

  • 3 ripe tomatoes
  • 1 onion
  • 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1/4 cup of brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup of lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Instructions:

  1. Peel and chop the onion and garlic.
  2. Chop the tomatoes and cilantro.
  3. Add the onion, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, ginger, brown sugar, lime juice, and salt to a saucepan.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Taste the chutney and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  6. Remove from heat and let cool.
  7. Transfer the chutney to a sterilized jar and store it in the fridge.

So whether you’re a fan of Tabasco sauce or something a little more obscure, one thing is clear: hot sauce is here to stay. The next time you’re feeling a little adventurous in the kitchen, why not give it a try? After all, what’s life without a little spice?

There’s nothing quite like a homemade condiment to spice up your meals. It also makes for a fantastic gift, if you take a little time to add a personal touch to a nice-looking jar to bottle the spicy nectar in.