{"id":"shito_ea384b6450","slug":"shito-ghanaian-black-pepper-sauce","title":"Shito (Ghanaian Black Pepper Sauce)","description":"A rich, dark, and intensely savory Ghanaian condiment packed with umami from dried seafood and a fiery kick from scotch bonnets.","serves":20,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":80,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"250ml vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 large red onions, chopped","name":"Red Onions","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"red","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"50g fresh ginger","name":"Ginger","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"peeled","notes":"fresh","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"6 garlic cloves","name":"Garlic","quantity":6,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":6,"usUnit":"clove","form":"peeled","notes":"","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"5 scotch bonnet peppers","name":"Scotch bonnet pepper","quantity":5,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":5,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"can substitute with habaneros","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"100g tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"paste","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"50g dried fish powder","name":"Fish","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"powder","notes":"smoked dried fish","group":"umami","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"50g dried shrimp powder","name":"Shrimp","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"powder","notes":"crayfish or shrimp powder","group":"umami","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"20g chili flakes","name":"Chili Flakes","quantity":20,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"extra hot for color and heat","group":"spice","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 teaspoon salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"granulated","notes":"adjust to taste","group":"spice","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 bouillon cube","name":"Bouillon cube","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"cubed","notes":"shrimp or vegetable flavored","group":"umami","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the onions, ginger, garlic, and scotch bonnet peppers into a blender and process until a smooth paste is formed.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the onions, ginger, garlic, and scotch bonnet peppers","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat the vegetable oil","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the blended onion and pepper mixture to the hot oil. Fry for about 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the moisture reduces and the mixture starts to turn golden brown.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the blended onion and pepper mixture","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Stir in the tomato paste and continue to fry for another 10 minutes. The oil should start to separate from the sauce and the color will darken.","group":"Cooking","title":"Stir in the tomato paste and continue","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Add the dried fish powder, shrimp powder, chili flakes, salt, and crumbled bouillon cube. Mix thoroughly.","group":"Flavoring","title":"Add the dried fish powder, shrimp powder, chili flakes, salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Flavoring"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 30-40 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning at the bottom. The sauce is ready when it turns a very dark, mahogany brown or black color.","group":"Finishing","title":"Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce","timerMinutes":40,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"The key to a good shito is patience; the sauce must be fried slowly until it turns a deep, dark brown (almost black) to ensure all moisture is removed for a long shelf life.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ghanaian"]},"course":["sauce"],"cookingMethod":["fry","simmer"],"equipment":["Blender","Heavy-bottomed pot","Wooden spoon","Glass jar"],"diet":["pescatarian","dairy_free","gluten_free","egg_free","high_protein"],"allergens":["fish","shellfish"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":500,"unit":"ml","note":"Fills approximately one large mason jar"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Shito is the ultimate make-ahead sauce as the flavors deepen over time."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in a clean, dry glass jar. Ensure the top of the sauce is covered with a thin layer of the cooking oil to preserve freshness.","reheatingNotes":"Serve at room temperature or warm slightly."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fshito_ea384b6450%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f65a3444-6263-439b-92d1-15ee39e0fcbe","imageAlt":"Shito (Ghanaian Black Pepper Sauce) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["ghanaian","spicy","condiment","shito","african","sauce","savory","black pepper sauce","umami"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Shito (Ghanaian Black Pepper Sauce)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T23:07:13.875Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T23:07:13.875Z","related":[{"id":"piri_piri_abb399d24a","slug":"authentic-african-piri-piri-sauce","title":"Authentic African Piri-Piri Sauce","description":"A fiery, tangy, and aromatic chili sauce originating from the African-Portuguese fusion traditions of Mozambique and Angola. This sauce combines bird's eye chilies with citrus and garlic for a versatile condiment that works as a marinade or dipping sauce.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Mozambican","Angolan"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","keto","paleo","low_carb","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpiri_piri_abb399d24a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d113b5df-8225-42fd-8ab3-2e447865fa9f","imageAlt":"Authentic African Piri-Piri Sauce — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","condiment","african cuisine","marinade","hot sauce","peri peri"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_f55815ccca","slug":"chermoula","title":"Chermoula","description":"A vibrant, zesty North African herb sauce and marinade bursting with fresh cilantro, parsley, garlic, and aromatic spices.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Moroccan","North African"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","paleo","keto","low_carb","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_f55815ccca%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b5e590b3-a843-4d31-a504-e2eded584002","imageAlt":"Chermoula — recipe cover","tags":["chermoula","sauce","marinade","herbs","spicy","moroccan","north african","condiment"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_6830b53c0d","slug":"harissa-sauce","title":"Harissa Sauce","description":"A fiery, smoky North African chili paste that serves as the backbone of Tunisian and Maghrebi cuisine. This intense condiment combines dried chilies, aromatic spices, and garlic for a versatile heat.","serves":16,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Tunisian"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","paleo","keto","low_carb","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_6830b53c0d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=149c058e-8fc2-4272-800e-39b69d6179c9","imageAlt":"Harissa Sauce — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","condiment","paste","african","chili","harissa"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5}]}