Sahawiq (Yemeni Fresh Chili and Tomato Relish)
Local name: سحاوق
In short: A fiery fresh relish of tomatoes, red chilies, garlic and cilantro, pounded or pulsed coarse and served with every Yemeni meal. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 40 kcal
Sahawiq is the table condiment that sits beside nearly every Yemeni meal. Tomatoes, hot chilies, garlic and cilantro are ground together while raw, traditionally on a stone, until the mixture is thick and pulpy. A spoonful goes into stews, onto flatbread or beside grilled and roasted meats. Red sahawiq uses ripe tomatoes and red chilies, while a green version swaps in green chilies and more herbs. Make it fresh, because the flavor is brightest on the first day.
Instructions
- Put the chilies, garlic and salt in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Wear gloves when handling the chilies.
- Add the tomatoes and pulse 5 or 6 times, scraping down the bowl, until you have a thick, chunky puree. Do not let it become a smooth sauce.
- Add the cilantro, cumin, cardamom and lemon juice and pulse 3 or 4 times, just until combined.
- Scrape into a bowl, drizzle with the olive oil and leave for 15 minutes so the flavors settle. Taste and add more salt or lemon if needed.
- Serve at room temperature with stews, roasted meats, eggs or warm flatbread.
Tips
- Control the heat by removing the seeds and white ribs from half of the chilies. For a smokier relish, char the tomatoes and chilies under a hot broiler first, then peel the tomatoes.
- A stone or heavy mortar gives the best coarse, juicy texture. If you use a blender, work in short pulses so the relish does not turn watery.
Questions and answers
How long does sahawiq keep?
Up to 3 days in a covered jar in the fridge. It gets hotter and more watery as it sits, so stir it well before serving.
Can I freeze sahawiq?
Yes, for up to 2 months, although the texture softens. Thawed sahawiq is best stirred into stews or soups as a flavor base.
Is sahawiq the same as zhug?
Sahawiq is the Yemeni name for the relish many people know as zhug. The red version here is tomato-based and juicy, while the green version is mostly herbs and chilies.
How long does it take to make Sahawiq (Yemeni Fresh Chili and Tomato Relish)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sahawiq (Yemeni Fresh Chili and Tomato Relish)?
About 40 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 40 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
