Sauce Chien

Sauce Chien is a fiery and flavorful French West Indian hot sauce that pairs wonderfully with seafood such as lobster, shrimp, or grilled fish. This sauce, often referred to as “dog sauce” due to its intense spiciness, adds a bold kick to any dish. However, the name “chien” may also symbolize its humble nature, lacking the rich ingredients commonly found in traditional French sauces.

With its vibrant combination of Scotch bonnet chiles, garlic, shallots (or onion), fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, and chives, as well as ginger and lime juice, Sauce Chien is a burst of Caribbean flavors. This recipe offers a simple and quick method to create this versatile sauce, perfect for enhancing the taste of seafood dishes or even adding a spicy twist to a classic bouillabaisse.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Scotch bonnet chiles, stemmed and seeded
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium shallots or 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup boiling water, or as needed
• ½ cup olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes

PREPARATIONS:

1. Add all of the ingredients to a blender.
2. Purée the ingredients, gradually adding enough boiling water to achieve a smooth sauce.
3. Allow the sauce to cool.
4. Pour the sauce into bottles.
5. If storing the sauce, seal the bottles following the instructions on page 51.

YIELD:

Makes 2 cups of Sauce Chien.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• If not serving within a few hours, refrigerate the sauce, and it will keep for a few days.

To conclude, Sauce Chien is a vibrant and spicy French West Indian hot sauce that adds a fiery kick to seafood dishes such as lobster, shrimp, and grilled fish. The name “chien” (dog) may allude to the intense bite of the chiles or the sauce’s humble nature, lacking the rich ingredients typically found in French sauces. Regardless, Sauce Chien is a fantastic addition to any culinary repertoire.

Preparing Sauce Chien is a breeze. Simply gather the ingredients, including Scotch bonnet chiles, garlic, shallots (or onion), fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, and chives, as well as ginger, salt, thyme, black pepper, boiling water, olive oil, and lime juice. Blend everything together in a blender, gradually adding boiling water to achieve a smooth consistency.

After blending, let the sauce cool before pouring it into bottles. If you plan on storing the sauce for later use, be sure to seal the bottles according to the instructions provided on page 51. It’s worth noting that Sauce Chien can be refrigerated and will stay fresh for a few days.

This versatile sauce can be used in various ways. Whether you’re drizzling it over grilled fish, dipping succulent shrimp into it, or even swirling it into a flavorful bouillabaisse, Sauce Chien will undoubtedly enhance the taste of your dishes with its spicy and aromatic profile.

In conclusion, Sauce Chien offers a delicious and vibrant taste of the French West Indies. Its spiciness and flavorful ingredients make it a perfect accompaniment to seafood dishes, providing a fiery kick and a burst of Caribbean flavors. By following the simple preparations outlined in this recipe, you can create 2 cups of Sauce Chien to enjoy and share with family and friends.