Sauces

Awaze is a traditional sauce or spice paste that's served with most main dishes in the country. It's usually made with ingredients such as berbere spice blend, t'ej (Ethiopian honey wine), and oil. The ingredients are simply mixed togethe... READ MORE

Salsa ocopa is a popular Peruvian sauce originating from Arequipa. It is made with queso fresco, aji amarillo chilis, milk, and huacatay, also known as Peruvian black mint, giving the sauce a unique flavor. The salsa is traditionally serv... READ MORE

Aji criollo or salsa de aji is a spicy Peruvian salsa prepared with a combination of yellow aji chili peppers and oil. The sauce is usually pleasantly spicy, but it can also be extremely hot and spicy, so one should be careful when tastin... READ MORE

Toum is an authentic Lebanese and Syrian garlic paste. It is made with whole garlic cloves, which are slowly crushed using a mortar and pestle, or nowadays simply ground in a food processor. During this process, oil (preferably neutral oil such as... READ MORE

This traditional Italian meat sauce consists of ground beef, pork, or a combination of both, that is sautéed alongside a sofrito of onions, carrots, and celery, a splash of red wine, and canned tomatoes. The mixture is traditionally seasone... READ MORE

Guasacaca is Venezuela's version of guacamole, although it is not as thick. This simple combination of avocado, coriander, parsley, bell peppers, onions, garlic, salt, oil, and vinegar is typically consumed with barbecued meats such as beef, chick... READ MORE

Pesto Genovese is a sauce with origins in the Italian city of Genoa. Traditionally, it consists of basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino. Its name stems from the word pestare, meaning READ MORE

Ragù alla Bolognese was invented in the late 18th century by Alberto Alvisi, a chef of Pope Pius VII. The base of this classic is made with beef, pork or a combination of both, as well as ripe, fresh tomatoes or tomato purée, red or ... READ MORE

Named after Amatrice, a provincial town in the Sabine Hills northeast of Rome; the iconic Amatriciana sauce is often considered a part of the "holy trinity of Roman pasta", together with carbonara and cacio e pepe. Amatriciana was invented in the ... READ MORE

Gaeng is a Thai word for the world-famous Thai curry paste, either yellow, red, or green in color, sorted by the order of spiciness where yellow curry is slightly spicy and green curry is the spiciest. Yellow curry consists of coconut milk as its ... READ MORE

This traditional Chinese seasoning mix is said to have originated in Sichuan cuisine, which is known for spiciness and bold flavors, but has since spread to other regions as well. The word yuxiang also refers to the sauce in which the meat or vege... READ MORE

Mujdei is the Romanian version of garlic sauce. It consists of garlic cloves, sunflower oil, pepper, and water. The cloves are mashed with other ingredients, and the sauce is then typically served with fish or fried potatoes. Mujdei can vary in te... READ MORE

Hogao is a traditional sauce that is commonly used as a seasoning, dipping sauce, or topping. The savory combination of tomatoes, scallions, coriander, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper is sautéed until the vegetables become tender and aromat... READ MORE

Sugo alla Genovese is a traditional sauce that, despite its name, originates from Naples, but it was likely brought over to the city from Genoa by Genovese immigrants during the Renaissance period. The sauce is prepared by sautéeing veal or... READ MORE

First popularized in the 1940s at a restaurant called Café de Paris in Geneva, this sauce is thought to consist of a large number of ingredients such as butter, ketchup, Dijon mustard, capers, shallots, parsley, chives, marjoram, d... READ MORE

Narsharab is a unique Azerbaijani sauce consisting of evaporated pomegranate juice that is combined with sugar and spices such as basil, cinnamon, coriander, salt, and ground black pepper. Its flavor is best described as tangy and sour. It is reco... READ MORE

This rich garlic sauce is similar in texture to mayonnaise, and is commonly used in the cuisine of Provençe in France and Catalonia in Spain. Provençal aïoli consists of egg yolks, olive oil, and garlic, while the Catalan versio... READ MORE

Mala is a brothy, spicy sauce consisting of Sichuan peppercorns, chili peppers, oil, and a handful of various spices. In Chinese gastronomy, it is considered as one of the most popular sauces with many regional varieties. The sauce is so spicy tha... READ MORE

The most popular mole sauce is mole poblano (also known as mole rojo or red mole), consisting of at least twenty ingredients, including the likes of cinnamon, black pepper, poblano chiles, cloves, anise seed, and chocolate. According to a... READ MORE

In its basic form, this ubiquitous Vietnamese sauce is prepared with a sour base of lime juice, or optionally vinegar, sugar, water, and fish sauce. Common additions include finely sliced chili peppers, garlic, shallots, spring onions, ginger, or ... READ MORE

Mojo de ajo is a garlic sauce that's popular in Mexico, Cuba, Chile, and many Caribbean and Latin American countries. It usually consists of olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, and lemon, orange, or lime juice. The ingredients are simply blended toge... READ MORE

This thick, rich, creamy sauce is made from butter, white wine, shallots, and white wine vinegar. It has a slightly sweet, tangy flavor that goes especially well with poached fish, shellfish, and asparagus. This versatile sauce was popularized in ... READ MORE

Sambal terasi is a traditional and Malaysian sauce and a variety of sambal. It's made with a combination of red chili peppers and shrimp paste (terasi) as the main ingredients. Various other ingredients are added to the sauce such as garlic, shall... READ MORE

Suero is a creamy and tangy Colombian sauce or dip made with fermented whole milk, salt, and vinegar or lime juice. It originates from Colombia's coastal region, hence its other, extended name – suero costeño. It is often ser... READ MORE

Nam phrik phao is a versatile Thai concoction and a secret ingredient in numerous Thai dishes. It is made with a combination of roasted chili peppers, dried shrimp, garlic, shallots, ginger, fish sauce, tamarind paste, fermented shrimp paste, and ... READ MORE

Ragù Napoletano is a traditional meat and tomato sauce originating from Naples. In the past, it was prepared by the portinai or doormen who sat while observing the comings and goings of tenants as well as the sounds of the... READ MORE

Ragù di cinghiale is a traditional meat sauce hailing from Tuscany, but it's also prepared in other Italian regions such as Veneto and Umbria. The ragù is made with a combination of cinghiale (wild boar) meat, tomatoes, red wine, car... READ MORE

Ragù all'anatra is an Italian meat sauce that's usually prepared with a combination of duck, garlic, onions, carrots, celery, guanciale, tomato purée, red wine, and herbs such as sage, parsley, bay leaves, and thyme. The vegetables a... READ MORE

Marinara is a red sauce consisting of olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, and herbs. Onions might sometimes get added to the combination of these ingredients, and marinara might be transformed into another sauce such as arrabbiata or puttane... READ MORE

Mole is a family of rich Mexican sauces and the national dish of the country. The base usually contains Mexican chile peppers which are ground in molcajete - a traditional mortar and pestle made of stone. Other ingredients may vary, so mo... READ MORE

This quintessential Southeast Asian condiment is usually made only with spicy chili peppers and salt. It is occasionally adapted with lime juice, onions, sugar, ginger, shrimp paste, or vinegar. Traditionally prepared in a mortar, it is characteri... READ MORE

What harissa is to Moroccan cuisine and what mustard is to hot dogs in the USA, chimichurri is to steaks in Argentina. It is an aromatic mixture of parsley, garlic, oregano, sunflower oil, vinegar, and hot red pepper flakes, although additional in... READ MORE

This classic French sauce is traditionally used as a garnish for grilled meat or fish dishes. Light yellow in color, smooth and creamy in texture, it consists of egg yolks, shallots, reduced vinegar, and butter, and is often flavored with tarragon... READ MORE

Indonesian pecel may refer to a fragrant peanut sauce or a combination of the sauce and various vegetables, when it is commonly referred to as a salad. The base of the sauce is prepared with roasted peanuts and spices that typically include chili ... READ MORE

This pungent, acidic sauce is a specialty of the Canary Islands. It can be used as a sauce, baste, marinade, or dip. Traditionally, mojo sauce is made with a base of vinegar, hot peppers, sea salt, cumin, garlic, and olive oil. The sauce can be ei... READ MORE

This thick brown sauce is commonly used in French cuisine both as a standalone sauce and as a base for other sauces. It is a combination of brown stock and espagnole sauce simmered for a long time until its volume has reduced by half – thus ... READ MORE

Mole negro or black mole is a traditional sauce originating from Oaxaca as one of the seven moles of Oaxaca. This is the most complex type of Mexican mole and it's usually made with ingredients such as hoja santa (aromatic, licorice-tasting herb),... READ MORE

The term nam phrik refers to a vast range of chili-based sauces that are found throughout Thailand. Although the sauces may vary in consistency, they are traditionally prepared in a mortar, and apart from fresh or dry chili peppers, they usually c... READ MORE

Mojo rojo or red mojo is a flavorful Spanish sauce that is especially popular in the Canary Islands. It is believed that it has origins in Spanish cuisine, which was heavily influenced by the Moors. The sauce usually consists of olive oil... READ MORE

Ragù Toscano is a hearty Italian meat sauce from Tuscany, consisting of ground beef, bits of sausage, tomatoes, wine, olive oil, and a sofrito made from onion, carrots, and celery. There are numerous variations on the ragù depending ... READ MORE

Sometimes referred to as caviar of the East, XO sauce is a popular sauce originating from Hong Kong, consisting of boiled dried scallops, dried shrimp, dried ham, garlic, onions, and chili peppers. XO refers to extra old cognac, even thou... READ MORE

Satsebeli is a traditional sauce originating from Georgia. It's usually made with a combination of tomatoes, red bell peppers, garlic, salt, cayenne pepper (or ajika paste), and oil. The tomatoes are chopped, mixed with sea salt, and covered overn... READ MORE