Awaze
Ethiopian Spicy Dipping Sauce
Awaze is a vibrant and spicy Ethiopian dipping sauce, traditionally made with berbere spice blend. It's a versatile condiment perfect for enhancing grilled meats, stews, or served with injera bread.
🧂 Ingredients
- 100 g Berbere spice blend(This is the foundational spice mix for Awaze. Ensure it's a good quality blend.)
- 100 ml Tej (Ethiopian honey wine) or dry red wine(Tej provides a unique sweetness and depth. If unavailable, a dry red wine is a good substitute.)
- 2 cloves Garlic(Finely minced or grated for best flavor distribution.)
- 1 tsp Fresh ginger(Finely minced or grated.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the berbere spice blend with the tej or red wine. Stir well until a thick paste forms. The mixture will be quite stiff initially.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 2
Add the finely minced garlic and grated fresh ginger to the berbere paste. Stir vigorously to incorporate them evenly throughout the mixture.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 3
Allow the Awaze to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This resting period is crucial for the flavors to meld and deepen, and for the berbere to fully hydrate and soften.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 4
Taste the Awaze. If it's too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two more of tej or wine, or a little water, until it reaches your desired consistency. Adjust seasoning if needed, though berbere is usually well-seasoned.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Serve the Awaze as a condiment alongside Ethiopian dishes like Kitfo, Tibs, or with injera bread. It can also be used as a spicy marinade or a flavorful addition to stews.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Awaze is a versatile hot dipping sauce, excellent with grilled meats (tibs) and minced raw beef (kitfo).
- ✓Using Tej, a traditional Ethiopian honey wine, adds a unique sweetness and complexity that complements the spices beautifully.
- ✓For a smoother consistency, you can pulse the garlic and ginger in a food processor before adding them to the berbere paste.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Adjust the consistency by adding more liquid (tej, wine, or water) for a thinner sauce, or by using less liquid for a thicker paste.
- Increase the amount of garlic or ginger for a more pungent flavor profile.
- Add a pinch of salt if your berbere blend is not sufficiently seasoned.