Awaze (Ethiopian Hot Sauce)

Awaze is an Ethiopian hot sauce featuring berbere, a distinctive hot, peppery, and aromatic spice blend consisting of an array of spices, seeds, and herbs, most commonly chilies, fenugreek, holy basil, paprika, coriander, cardamom, allspice, cumin, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, and ajwain seeds. Additional ingredients are included to round out this incredibly easy-to-make no-cook condiment for a balance of heat, sweetness, and bitterness. Traditionally, awaze includes mitmita, another Ethiopian spice blend (here I've used just berbere spice powder as it's readily available in many stores worldwide), and t'edj, a sweetened honey wine, although gin, whiskey, or red wine serves well as a substitute.

Red Pepper and Potato Masala

Potatoes are a treasured addition or feature of almost any meal, and the quick and easy preparation for this colorful side to accompany other Indian dishes is one that you may find yourself turning to often. This combination is simply delicious in its own right, with the addition of fresh red bell pepper and an array of treasured spices that those of us who regularly enjoy cooking up Indian creations with likely have on hand.