Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. sharp oil (mix 1/2 tsp. dried mustard powder with 1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil - this is an optional TFD change and can be replaced with plain olive oil for the original)
- 1 fresh red bell pepper, de-seeded, chopped or sliced
- 2 large green jalapeño or red Fresno peppers, thinly sliced
- 8 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
- A few shakes of your favorite hot sauce (TFD enjoys Tiger sauce for a mild kick or Habanero hot sauce for extra heat)
- 1 kosher-style half-sour garlic dill pickle, finely-chopped - TFD enjoys Moldova or Bubbie's brand (HIGHLY optional TFD addition, omit for original)
- 8 large heirloom (or regular, if you must) tomatoes, washed and diced
- 4 tsp. Heinz white wine vinegar with tarragon (TFD change, original was vinegar)
- 2 tsp. vinegar from a bottle of white horseradish (TFD change, original was vinegar)
- 2 tsp. Yemeni hawaij seasoning
- 2 tsp. Georgian khmeli-sunneli spice mix (can substitute hawaij, if you must)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. dried za'atar (the herb alone, not the seasoning blend - can substitute an equal blend of dried Mediterranean oregano and dried thyme - this is a TFD addition, and can be omitted)
- 2 tsp. Ethiopian berbere seasoning (TFD preference) or Madras-style curry powder (both are TFD changes, use hawaij for classic recipe)
- The seeds from 3 cardamom pods, freshly-ground
- 1/2 Tbsp. freshly-ground cumin seeds
- 1 tsp. freshly-ground coriander seeds
- 1 1/2 tsp. freshly-ground dill seeds
- 1/2 tsp. ginger paste or a large pinch of ground dried ginger
- 1/4 tsp. freshly-ground caraway seed
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 tsp. honey - TFD prefers Acacia
- 1/4 piece of a Moroccan or Tunisian preserved lemon from the jar, finely chopped including the rind
- 6 pitted Castelvetrano olives or a similar large mild green variety, chopped (HIGHLY optional TFD addition, omit for original recipe)
- Knorr Aromat seasoning (TFD optional change, but preferred) or kosher salt for original
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy pan, add the Anaheim pepper, jalapeños and garlic.
- Fry over a medium heat, stirring, for about 10 minutes, or until the peppers are softened. (Be careful not to let the garlic brown.)
- Add everything else to the pan (except the tomato paste and preserved lemon) and cook until the tomatoes have softened to a saucey consistency.
- Stir the tomato paste and preserved lemon into the mixture, season with Aromat or salt and leave to cool.
- Purée lightly to a slightly-coarse texture in a blender or using an immersion blender directly in the pot (much faster and easier). Chill until ready to serve, with pretty much anything.