Summer’s Sweetest Heat Wave
As the cherry season reaches its peak, our taste buds are treated to a symphony of sweet and savory flavors. While pies and cobblers are a classic way to enjoy these juicy fruits, why not try something new? Introducing the Smoked Fresh Cherry Hot Sauce, a game-changing condiment that will elevate your summer cooking.
The Perfect Union of Flavors
This hot sauce is a masterful blend of sweet, ripe cherries and spicy habanero peppers, smoked to perfection to bring out the deepest flavors. The result is a vibrant, bright condiment that adds a fruity kick to any dish. Imagine it mixed into Greek yogurt as a dip for roasted vegetables, or spooned onto a grilled pork chop or hot dog.
A Simple Recipe with a Big Impact
With just four ingredients, this hot sauce is surprisingly easy to make. You’ll need:
- 1 pound fresh sweet cherries, pitted (about 2 heaped cups)
- 1 to 3 fresh habanero peppers (depending on desired heat level)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup cider vinegar
The Smoking Process
To give your hot sauce its signature smoky flavor, you’ll need to set up a hot smoker with wood chips over medium-high heat. Cherry wood chips are ideal, but hickory will do in a pinch. Smoke the cherries and habanero peppers for 12 minutes, then let them cool before blending with salt and vinegar.
Blending and Straining
Once your ingredients are cooled, add them to a blender and process until very smooth. Strain the mixture through a medium-mesh strainer three times to remove any remaining solids. And that’s it! Your Smoked Fresh Cherry Hot Sauce is ready to bottle and store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Tips and Variations
If you don’t have a stovetop smoker, you can turn a wok into a makeshift smoker. And be sure to try pairing this hot sauce with other summer flavors, like cherry tomatoes and clams in a pasta dish. For more fruit hot sauce recipe ideas, keep exploring – your taste buds will thank you!
Leave a Reply