Bisbaas (Somali Green Hot Sauce)
In short: A fresh, vivid green hot sauce of chilies, cilantro, garlic and lime juice, spooned over rice, pasta, sambuus and grilled meat. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 10 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 45 kcal
Bisbaas is the fresh green hot sauce that sits beside almost every Somali meal: green chilies, cilantro, garlic and lime blended into a loose, vivid sauce. It is spooned over rice, pasta, sambuus and grilled meat, and it keeps richer dishes lively. The heat depends on the chilies you use, so taste one first and seed them if you want a milder sauce.
Instructions
- Trim the stems from the chilies and chop them roughly. Remove the seeds for a milder sauce.
- Put the chilies, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, cumin and salt in a blender or food processor. Add the oil and water.
- Blend in short pulses until the sauce is loose and slightly textured, scraping down the sides.
- Taste and adjust with more salt or lime juice. Rest for 15 minutes, then transfer to a jar and serve.
Tips
- Blend in short pulses. Long blending heats the herbs and dulls the green color and fresh taste.
- Add a ripe tomato or half a small onion for a milder, chunkier sauce, as some families do.
Questions and answers
How long does bisbaas keep?
Up to 4 days in a covered jar in the fridge. The color fades slowly, and a thin layer of oil on top helps protect it.
Can I freeze bisbaas?
Yes. Freeze it in ice cube trays and thaw one or two cubes as needed. The texture is slightly looser after thawing, but the flavor holds.
How hot is bisbaas?
It is as hot as your chilies. Serrano chilies give medium to hot heat, while jalapeños with their seeds removed make a mild, easy sauce.
How long does it take to make Bisbaas (Somali Green Hot Sauce)?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bisbaas (Somali Green Hot Sauce)?
About 45 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 45 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 120 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
