Awaze, pronounced “ah-weh-zay,” is a vibrant and flavorful Ethiopian chili sauce that adds a fiery kick to any dish. This versatile sauce, bursting with berbere spices, is a staple in Ethiopian cuisine and is traditionally served alongside stews, lentils, and injera, a spongy flatbread. If you’re a fan of bold flavors and want to add some excitement to your meals, awaze is a must-try!

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What is Awaze?

Awaze is more than just a condiment; it’s an explosion of flavor that embodies the heart of Ethiopian cuisine. Imagine a blend of smoky, spicy, and tangy notes, all coming together in perfect harmony. That’s awaze!

The star ingredient of this fiery sauce is berbere, a complex Ethiopian spice blend known for its warm and aromatic qualities. Berbere typically includes chili peppers, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, and a medley of other spices, each contributing to its unique and irresistible flavor profile.

Why You Should Try Making Awaze

Flavor explosion: Awaze is a burst of flavor that will awaken your taste buds! The combination of berbere spices, tangy lemon, and rich oil creates a unique and addictive taste.
Versatility: This sauce is incredibly versatile. Use it as a dipping sauce for injera, a marinade for meat and vegetables, or a condiment to spice up your favorite dishes.
Easy to make: You can easily whip up a batch of awaze at home with just a few simple ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Main Ingredients

1/2 cup berbere spice blend: This spice blend is the heart of awaze. Look for it at international markets or online.
1/2 cup water: Used to create the base of the sauce.
1/4 cup red wine vinegar: Adds a tangy kick and balances the spiciness. You can substitute with lime juice for a brighter flavor.

Flavor Enhancers

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and depth of flavor. You can also use other neutral oils like avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
2 cloves garlic, minced: Enhances the savory notes of the sauce.
1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the overall taste. Adjust to your preference.

Optional Ingredients

1 teaspoon ground ginger: Adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor.
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika: Adds a smoky complexity to the sauce.

Awaze Ingredients

Tools You’ll Need

Small saucepan: To simmer the sauce.
Whisk: To combine the ingredients smoothly.
Jar or container with a lid: For storing the awaze.

How To Make Awaze: A Step-by-Step Guide

Combine the ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the berbere spice blend, water, red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, ginger (if using), and smoked paprika (if using).
Simmer the sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming.
Cook and thicken: Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Cool and store: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the awaze cool completely before transferring it to a jar or container with a lid.

Tips for Making the Best Awaze

Spice level: Berbere blends vary in spiciness. Taste your berbere blend before using it and adjust the amount according to your heat preference.
Fresh ingredients: Using fresh garlic will enhance the flavor of your awaze.
Consistency: For a thinner sauce, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust: Before storing, taste the awaze and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, vinegar, or spices to your liking.

Cooking Awaze

FAQs About Making Awaze

Can I make awaze ahead of time?
Absolutely! Awaze actually tastes even better the longer the flavors have time to meld. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

What can I use awaze on?
Awaze is incredibly versatile! Here are a few ideas:

Dipping sauce: Serve it with injera, bread, or vegetables for dipping.
Marinade: Marinate chicken, beef, or tofu in awaze for at least 30 minutes before grilling, baking, or pan-frying.
Condiment: Add a spoonful to stews, soups, lentils, or rice dishes for an extra kick of flavor.
Spread: Mix awaze with mayonnaise or yogurt for a spicy and flavorful sandwich spread.

Can I substitute the berbere spice blend?
While nothing quite replicates the unique flavor of berbere, you can try using a combination of chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ginger powder, and fenugreek for a similar flavor profile.

Enjoy the Flavors of Ethiopia!

Awaze is a testament to the bold and beautiful flavors found in Ethiopian cuisine. It’s a simple sauce to make but packs a powerful punch of flavor. Now that you know How To Make Awaze, it’s time to gather your ingredients and experience this culinary delight for yourself!

Serving Awaze

We’d love to hear about your awaze adventures! Snap a photo of your creation and share it with us in the comments below. Don’t forget to explore our website for more delicious sauce and condiment recipes from around the world!

Article by Family Cuisine

We are the food lovers, the taste testers, the kitchen experimenters who make up the familycuisine.net team. We're chefs, home cooks, and culinary enthusiasts who have come together to share our passion for food with you. With the help of AI, we're able to bring you the most delicious, reliable, and exciting content from around the world.