Turkish Biber Salçasi Recipe
Biber salcasi is a Turkish red condiment made from sweet peppers, salt and lemon juice. The paste has a smoky, but sweet flavor and can sometimes be somewhat spicy too.
Biber salçasi has a thick consistency and a deep red color. It is used as a paste in recipes like shakshuka, or on its own as a spread.
Traditionally, the peppers are sun-dried for days to make biber salcasi, but other methods like oven cooking or barbecuing can be used as alternatives. Once dried, the peppers are blended into a paste.
Origin & Cultural Significance
Biber Salçasi originated in the Anatolian region of Turkey.
Biber Salçasi is prepared throughout Turkey during the Summer months, when the temperature is at its highest and red peppers are in season. Households will leave peppers in the sun to dry out, preparing plenty of paste to cook with.
It is similar to Korean Gochujang or Tunisian Harissa.
Turkish Biber Salçasi Recipe
Biber salcasi is a Turkish red condiment made from sweet peppers, salt and lemon juice.
Ingredients
- Red bell peppers - 3lbs
- Salt - 2 tbsp
- Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Instructions
- Wash the peppers thoroughly and remove the stems and seeds, then cut them into large chunks.
- Using a food processor, grind the peppers into a smooth puree.
- Transfer the pepper puree into a large pot.
- Sprinkle salt over the puree and stir well to combine.
- Cook the pepper puree over medium heat for approximately 2 hours, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until it thickens and most of the liquid evaporates.
- Transfer the thickened pepper puree to a baking sheet and spread it out evenly.
- Dry the paste in an oven set to its lowest temperature (around 140°F), stirring occasionally, until it reaches a thick, spreadable consistency.
- Allow it cool completely and use as a condiment.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 62Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1398mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 1g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.
