Homemade Awaze Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 1/4 cup (60ml) red wine vinegar 1/4 cup (60ml) red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) tomato paste 1/4 cup (60ml) tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons berbere spice 2 tablespoons berbere spice
• 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 teaspoons paprika 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 160 kcal / 670 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 14g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 9g, 6g
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.9g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and tomato paste. Mix well until smooth.
2. 2.
   Add the berbere spice, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to the bowl. Stir until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. 3.
   Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. 4.
   Remove from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature.
5. 5.
   Once cooled, transfer the Awaze Sauce to a jar or airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Berbere spice — If you can't find berbere spice, you can make your own by combining chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground ginger, ground coriander, ground cardamom, ground fenugreek, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground allspice.
• Tomato paste — Look for a high-quality tomato paste that is thick and concentrated for the best flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper according to your spice preference.
• For a smokier flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika to the sauce.
• Marinate your choice of protein in Awaze Sauce for a few hours before grilling or roasting for an extra burst of flavor.
• Use Awaze Sauce as a condiment for grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or as a dipping sauce for bread.
• Experiment with adding a spoonful of Awaze Sauce to stews, soups, or stir-fries to elevate their taste.

Serving advice

Serve Awaze Sauce alongside traditional Ethiopian dishes such as Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew) or Tibs (sauteed meat). It can also be enjoyed as a dipping sauce for injera (Ethiopian flatbread) or drizzled over roasted vegetables for a spicy kick.

Presentation advice

Transfer the Awaze Sauce to a small serving bowl or ramekin. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika or a fresh chili pepper for an attractive presentation.