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Filfel Chuma (Libyan Spicy Tomato Sauce)

@arecipe.bsky.social

Filfel chuma is a popular spicy tomato sauce in Libyan cuisine. It is known for its vibrant red color, bold flavors, and fiery kick. This versatile sauce is made with a combination of tomatoes, garlic, chili peppers, and various spices. It can be used as a condiment, marinade, or base for other dishes.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4–5 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2–3 hot chile peppers (such as cayenne pepper or serrano pepper), finely chopped
  • 4–5 ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (adjust according to spice preference)
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. 1
    Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. 2
    Add the minced garlic and finely chopped chili peppers. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
  3. 3
    Add the chopped tomatoes to the saucepan and stir well.
  4. 4
    Sprinkle the ground cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, coriander, salt, and pepper over the tomatoes. Mix the spices into the sauce.
  5. 5
    Stir in the tomato paste. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for about 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens.
  6. 6
    Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool slightly.
  7. 7
    Transfer the sauce to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth. Alternatively, if you prefer a chunky texture, you can skip this step.
  8. 8
    Stir in the fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
  9. 9
    Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
  10. 10
    Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro before serving.
Category
Side Dishes

Recipe Attribution

Wikibooks Cookbook
en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Filfel_Chuma_(Libyan_Spicy_Tomato_Sauce)