Help with sweet scotch bonnet sauce
I'm looking to make a hot sauce that would be great for dipping and BBQing. I've made about 5 batches with different variations but generally the same idea. Some batches have been too hot, some too sweet, and some lacking depth. People have told me they like it, but I personally am not happy with it.
I have realized that I do not like the tastes of molasses or brown sugar and that it smells bad to me when cooking, so I am trying to perfect this recipe using only honey as a sweetener.
I wanted some feedback from the gurus here as to how I can balance the amount of heat, sweet, and acidity in this recipe. I like things pretty hot, and I also like pepper. I'd say on a scale of mild-medium-hot-suicide, I'm aiming for hot. As for pepper, a lot of the recipes I've read online don't even use pepper, but it is essential for me.
Here is my recipe:
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 chopped onion
1 chopped bell pepper
3 scotch bonnets, stems removed, keep whole
5 chopped garlic cloves
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp peppercorn
2 sm cans tomato paste
Here is how I'm cooking it:
step 1:
melt butter over medium heat
add chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic cloves, and whole scotch bonnets
cook until tender (approx 10-15 mins)
step 2:
add honey, lime juice, vinegar, sea salt, peppercorn, and tomato paste
bring to a boil and low rolling boil for approx 10 mins
lower heat and simmer for approx 30 mins
step 3:
let cool to room temperature
blend until smooth
I'm just looking for some feedback as to how I can improve this recipe and balance it well. What is it lacking? What proportions are off? Should I add ginger? Do I need more garlic? What better steps can I take during the cooking process?
Thank you for your time.
(1)1 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
There are various ingredients you could play with to change the taste. Whether they sound appealing is up to you.
Fats
Do you ever use tinned anchovies in your cooking? You could substitute the oil from the tin for the butter when cooking the vegetable portion. You'd never notice a fish taste but only a richer flavour. (I regularly add some Thai fish sauce made from anchovies to my spaghetti sauce when I make it. My son who dislikes fish sauce likes the spaghetti and he knows I add it too. He says it builds flavour.) If you'd like a hint of Asian flavour, use regular cooking oil (your preference) plus a little dark toasted sesame oil in it. Supermarkets, as well as Asian grocers sell it.
Acids
I quite like lime juice but lemon juice would add a different flavour, if you wish. Personally, I don't use regular white vinegar that often in cooking. I find it a little too harsh and lacking any flavour. There are a wide range of different vinegars you could choose from that would add different flavours such as apple cider, red or white wine, balsamic, rice and malt vinegars. I normally stock 4-5 different vinegars for different foods and style of cuisine.
Extras
Would you try adding soy sauce to your sauce to replace some of the salt? It would suit a more Asian style of sauce. Ginger would go very well with this. Worcestershire sauce is something else you could add. Are you using regular clover honey? It's a very mild honey. There are different honeys with a richer deeper flavour you could try.
I wouldn't add too many variations, perhaps just try one at a time of those that appeal to you so you know what suits your taste or not. As for proportions, I doubt anyone would know what to suggest since we haven't the same taste preferences as you.
Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2026 All Rights reserved.