Filfel Chuma (Libyan Spicy Tomato Sauce)
Photo: מאור עטיה, CC BY-SA 4.0
Filfel chuma is a Libyan spicy tomato sauce that works as a condiment, a marinade or a base for other dishes. Its heat comes from fresh chiles and ground cayenne together, so you can tune it by changing either one. Cumin and coriander give the tomatoes a warm, earthy backing, and a spoonful of lemon juice stirred in at the end keeps the long-simmered sauce tasting sharp and bright.
Instructions
Warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped chile peppers and cook for about a minute, until the garlic smells fragrant.
Add the chopped tomatoes and stir well. Sprinkle in the cumin, paprika, cayenne, coriander, salt and pepper, and stir until the spices are mixed through the tomatoes.
Stir in the tomato paste and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened.
Take the pan off the heat and let the sauce cool a little. For a smooth sauce, blend it with an immersion blender or in a blender until no pieces remain. For a chunkier sauce, leave it as it is.
Stir in the lemon juice, then taste and adjust the salt, pepper and heat. Scatter chopped parsley or cilantro over the top and serve.
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