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So, I had this whole delicious lunch for you guys.
Or breakfast or in my case dinner, but then this sauce happened and since this said lunch includes this Harissa sauce I felt I had to share this first.
But, I am making it known that you have a very, no highly delicious, meal coming your way and I am jumping out of my skin to share it with you. But not tomorrow, and I think we all know why it is not happening tomorrow.
So predictable.
Now that I think about it though, posting this sauce today is kind of perfect.
I mean, with tomorrow being Valentine’s Day you may be looking to spice things up a little, and this sauce (or some people would say paste) is spicy. Spicy and really good, so do not get freaked out by the heat. You just need to mix it with something to help tame the heat a little. Although, I know it is also used like salsa and eaten with chips. If hot is your thing, using it as salsa would be great too.
If you have never heard of Harissa it is a spicy sauce used in a lot of Moroccan cooking. Typically it is used as a garnish, with eggs, or sometimes it can be mixed into dishes too. To be honest, this is the first time I have even tried Harissa. I have been wanting to for forever, but my lame small town grocery store does not carry any.
I ordered some on Amazon, but with all the snow we had last week it was not delivered on time and I really wanted it. So, I figured I would just make my own and I cannot believe how easy it was. It is really just a bunch of peppers all tossed together. The total prep time is only thirty five minutes – and thirty of those minutes come from letting the dried chiles soak in water. The rest of the work is all done in the food processor (or blender).
Easy peasy.
I made the sauce, made my lunchy thingy that I cannot wait to tell you all about and then……
There was a knock on the door.
Yup.
Of course, the sauce shows up the minute I am finished. Story of my life.
Whatever, like I said, I love my homemade version. Plus, it makes me feel all cool that I made my own Harissa sauce.
I mean, homemade always trumps the store. Ok, well unless the homemade version takes like days or something to make, in which case maybe the store bought is sometimes ok. But if you can go the homemade route… do it. Bonus, in the long run it usually ends up being like half the price!
Oh, and if you are wondering, this is about as spicy as it is going to get around here this Valentine’s Day. Me and my sauce have a little date with some runny eggs….and chocolate. Duh.
You know, some people say being single on Valentines Day is the worst, but for me, it just means more of the good stuff. That and I just have zero time in my life right now for a boyfriend. I say, me first then the guy.
Homemade Harissa (Spicy Red Pepper Sauce).
Ingredients
- 2 whole roasted red peppers, seeds removed*
- 2 dried ancho chilies*
- 1 dried chile de arbol*
- 2 in chipotle chiles adobo*
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 clove garlic, peeled + smashed
- Juice of half a lemon
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Place the dried chiles in a heatproof bowl and pour the boiling water over top the chiles. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes until the chiles are softened. Reserve chile water.
- Once chiles are softened, cut top off the chiles and remove the seeds from inside. Add to the bowl of a food processor or blender, along with the chipotle chiles in adobo, garlic and lemon juice.
- Purée, slowly pouring in the olive oil to thicken the sauce. If desired add 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved chile water to thin the sauce a bit (I did not do this). Season to taste with salt and extra lemon juice.
- The Harissa will keep refrigerated for a few weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Or maybe me, some chocolate… and then the guy.
I would never have made my own harissa. Way to go. And that shot of the water pouring into the bowl over the chilies?? Just awesome.
Thank you so much, Nicole!
Love this! Now to find the chili’s! I like your thinking – you first, chocolate, then the guy, genius!
Thanks Kathy! 🙂
This looks incredible. Love the colour too. Happy chocolate day for tomorrow 😉
Thanks Becca!
I love spicy the more heat the better…when you do have time for a boyfriend he’s going to be so stoked with all the good eats you make.
Haha! I hope so! Thanks!
Such a great idea and brilliant recipe, thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you!
You seem like such a wonderful girl. Never, ever put up with any guy who doesn’t treat you like a queen and appreciate your insanely amazing cooking/photography skills. Should you choose to settle down one day, you will make someone very, very happy. He will be a lucky guy. The right guy is always worth the wait and somewhere out there, someone else is waiting for you.. the perfect girl! 😀
Keep up the great recipes.. you rock!
Thank you!! Seriously, such a nice comment!!
Awesome post. I just recently starting using harissa….love it! Last weekend as I opened a new jar I took a look at the ingredients, and all i could think was – why on earth am i not making my own!
You have to make your own!! So good!
i have also only heard about harrisa but never made it. I will be on the hunt for these chili peppers. I am excited to see what you came up with for lunch.
Thanks Dixya!!
Homemade is ALWAYS better (especially from you). This is totally going on some soft poached eggs. Thanks Tieghan!!
Thanks Todd!
OMG – this looks incredible! You can taste the rich flavor because it’s so apparent with the rich color. Amazing! Love heat, will definitely make this.
p.s. Smart girl – when you put yourself first, everything else in life falls into place. Yay for you!
Thanks Debra!!
Oh wow, definitely pinning this!
Thanks Ali!!
You did NOT just make me fall in love with you. Okay. Okay. You did. I have been wanting to make homemade harissa for a zillion years and have been too busy/lazy to look up a recipe. I’m making the crap out of this. In bulk. Costco-style.
And you, my love…have a great head on your shoulders. YOU come first. Always stick to that 🙂
You have to make. It is so easy!!
Thanks Julia! 🙂
I love harissa so much. So glad you ordered chiles and made this!!
Me too! It is so good and my gosh, I cannot wait to tell you what I made with it. It is super simple, but so good.
Yum! I have totally been wanting to try harissa. I’m inspired now that you’re making it sound so simple! What a great color, too.
Thanks Becky! Hope you give it a try!
Man your a genius! Totally love this
Thanks Rochelle!!