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(Animation by Julia Pott; Music by Marcus Ricci)
A splash of homemade hot sauce can certainly thaw winter’s chill. We turned to Michelle Fuerst, Eatsy chef and all around food guru, for a hot sauce recipe and some useful know how. Michelle rose to the challenge with Heatsy, a hot sauce she created that calls for two kinds of dried chilies, garlic and her secret ingredient, sherry. Full bodied hot sauces are often aged in oak barrels and Michelle discovered that adding sherry, a common kitchen ingredient, imparts similar sweet-woody undertones. Add some body and kick to your next meal with Heatsy.
Materials Needed
Paring knife
Measuring spoons and cups
Medium bowl
Small plate that fits inside a medium bowl
Blender
Spatula
Jar to hold hot sauce
Funnel, if neck of jar requires
Heatsy Sauce Ingredients
2.5 ounces of dried New Mexico chilies
4-6 chili de arbol (depending on desired spiciness)
4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons salt
1 cup apple cider or white distilled vinegar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon aged sherry
Bring a small pot of water to a boil.
Clean chilies with a damp cloth. Remove stems and place chilies in a medium bowl. Pour just enough boiling water over the chilies to cover. Place a small plate over the chilies to submerge them in water. Set aside for 20 minutes, or until the chilies are rehydrated, soft and pliable.
Place the chilies in a blender. Add the garlic, salt and vinegar. Puree on high until a uniform paste forms. Thin the paste with water or, if it’s palatable, with the soaking liquid. Blend again. Add sherry. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Michelle Fuerst has 15 plus years cooking experience (she’s a distinguished alum of Bay Area favorites, Zuni Café and Chez Panisse). She was the curator at Slow Food Nation and helped revitalize the Slow Food Berkeley chapter.
This week’s How-Tuesday video was shot on-location at The Brooklyn Kitchen with apothecary bottles provided by antiquarium. What could go wrong with two old friends, hot peppers and a blender? Watch the bloopers to find out.
119 comments
Sign in to add your ownvKnit says:
tasty!! xox
1 year ago
CarryTheWord says:
I love these recipes!
1 year ago
laurelinsailor says:
Oh, I got a new project for sure! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
trashbaggs says:
bring on the heat!! looks yummy!
1 year ago
elinart says:
Phwoar!
1 year ago
studiokmo says:
completely excited about this one! thanks eatsy!!
1 year ago
soule says:
My 15 year old son would LOVE this! I'm going to give him the recipe and let him make it!
1 year ago
100applegate says:
This looks so good!! Ready for Bloody Marys!! Great post! Best, Connie
1 year ago
lineandlissom says:
SAVING. Everyone in my house are hot sauce addicts. Thank you! xo
1 year ago
SchneiderGallery says:
I'd rather have some Duck Sauce with a hint of Barbra Streisand ;p
1 year ago
TheBloomingThread says:
Oh yum!! Lets see how this taiste tonight~ Im in the mood for something spicy!
1 year ago
emilybidwell says:
Seriously! It's the BEST hot sauce I've ever tried. Thanks Team for putting this how-to together for us!
1 year ago
Xenotees says:
My husband and I grow Naga Morich, Bhut Jolokias & Fataliis every year & make our own hot sauces to last until the next harvest. Pretty much my favorite thing on earth. Looking forward to trying one with sherry, thanks!
1 year ago
xfictionprincess says:
this is such a cool recipe!
1 year ago
trendlightly says:
Looks fantastic:) I always love finding something new to make myself instead of buy!
1 year ago
thevintagejunkie says:
Being a spicy-hot sort of gal myself, I just might need to make some! Looks delish! Thank you!
1 year ago
mcldrygoods says:
yummy. i love the dried peppers and sherry combination. that should give it a rich flavor in addition to the heat. :)
1 year ago
rarebeasts says:
Bring the hot stuff on, it's getting mighty cold down here.
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Looks good! I'm ready for some heat =)
1 year ago
TheJewelleryFactory says:
turn on the heat...
1 year ago
theroyal says:
TOO HOTTT!!!
1 year ago
babylonsisters says:
Can't wait to try this. I've made Emerill's piri-piri a few times. Delicious and so satisfying to make your own hot sauce.
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
Not for me but the rest of the family would love it. Thanks.
1 year ago
MissYvonneNicole says:
Eeeep too hot for me!
1 year ago
ThoseThreeWords says:
My husband would LOVE this! Thanks for sharing, the Eatsy articles are always fantastic!
1 year ago
JulieMeyer says:
Never thought to make my own hot sauce. It's either several shakes of hot sauce or dried red pepper flakes on almost everything I eat!
1 year ago
tigersanddragons says:
My sweetie puts hot sauce in every dish he cooks, sometimes too much for me!
1 year ago
theyellowcart says:
Great recipe! Anything thats not out of a box is good food.
1 year ago
catchalljewelry says:
haha, this is so awesome! totally going to try this one out!
1 year ago
OsoVictoria says:
I love hot sauce and am going to try this one! Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
KwestStudio8 says:
Loved watching the free and easy give and take between those two, making the hot sauce! It looks yummiosso!!!! K
1 year ago
SimpleeYou says:
Yummmmmmmm!!! Will defintely try it, Thanks for sharing:)
1 year ago
socalartgal says:
YUMMY!!!!
1 year ago
ChrissiesRibbons says:
OOOOOoooohh!!! Yum, yum, yum- now where's the lid of my blender?!
1 year ago
TheVinylChalkboard says:
Thank-you so much for this recipe!!! I have always wondered how hot sauce is made! I can hardly wait to try it!
1 year ago
SaffronColoredPony says:
i'd like a dash of this in my next chubby mary (a smoked chub in your blood mary) one of my favorites from fish town/leland, mi http://www.lelandmi.com com'n summer!~
1 year ago
jungledread says:
Love the hot stuff!! <3
1 year ago
AvianInspirations says:
Fabulous!! I highly recommend chipotle chiles for a wonderfully smokey hot sauce. And if you're so inclined, you can smoke your own jalapenos. It's so good I literally just eat it by the spoon full.
1 year ago
BlackStar says:
We make our own hot sauce too, but the recipe is nothing like this one. Always interesting to read other recipes.
1 year ago
AntiGenre says:
...and now I'm hungry. Beautiful photos, will have to try the recipe!
1 year ago
Floreal says:
Definitely going to try it!! :)
1 year ago
crystalworld says:
love them:)
1 year ago
CinByDesign says:
This is awesome, I have about ten different bottles of hot sauce in the fridge and they all have just a drop or two left. Now I can finish them off knowing I will be making my own yummy Hot Sauce very soon using this recipe. Thanx Eatsy!!
1 year ago
WoodlandCottage says:
YIKES! Spicy! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
PetalPetal says:
Bookmarking for the next time I am able to actually cook a meal! Sounds amazing! Love spicy!
1 year ago
ImagineThatCustDesig says:
Awesome! Thanks for the recipe and know how. I never thought to make my own Hot sauce. I made my own Ketsup and LOVED it. I Love Hot sauce and I will really enjoy this. Thanks! Tammy
1 year ago
thebeadgirl says:
cooL...I mean HOT!
1 year ago
SugarCubeVintage says:
spicy goodness!!
1 year ago
kathyjohnson3 says:
Looks good, wonderful pictures too!!
1 year ago
collectiblesatoz says:
I think I like it. Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
HouseOfMoss says:
I've never made homemade hot sauce before... thanks for sharing this.
1 year ago
armcandyforyou says:
umm.I am so trying this one! looks hot enough;)
1 year ago
aynart says:
remember NOT to itch your eyes! ZING!
1 year ago
GreatBowlsAfire says:
finally! a way to use all the hot peppers i grow! usually so many are just left on the vine due to super high numbers and not enough willing mouths :P ...now i can convert them into long lasting bottled fire :D Thank you Easty <3
1 year ago
MyWisteriaCottage says:
You should make home made salsa also. Easy,you control amount of heat and can it so it will last for -until you use it.
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
Thanks for the recipe!
1 year ago
AlpineGypsy says:
Droooly drooly droool!!! I will definitely be trying my hand at this one~ THANKS! Heidi
1 year ago
jbeaudet says:
Muy caliente!
1 year ago
girliepains says:
give me that metal kitchen top anyday!
1 year ago
AliceCouture says:
WOw,really hot sauce!! I love hot foods :D Thanks for sharing the recipe with us ^_^
1 year ago
MandBJewellery says:
Yum! I love this, my mother will love this
1 year ago
AndreaFuentesDesigns says:
awesome! I am so doing this
1 year ago
twigandsprout says:
I've been meaning to make hotsauce but haven't really known where to start. Thanks for reminding me, plus the great recipe!
1 year ago
monatao says:
yum yum!!!
1 year ago
Guitarpickman says:
spicy ;)
1 year ago
spiderscloset says:
Yumm! Don't forget the industrial gloves and don't rub your eyes while making this! Very cool!
1 year ago
OlgaDuron says:
Hot & Spicy. Perfect! Thanks, Eatsy
1 year ago
LavenderField says:
Perfect! Just what I needed!
1 year ago
28gifts says:
Don't touch ANY sensitive areas of skin after handling without gloves. Any. I find a thorough scrubbing with technu (the poison ivy soap) gets the oils off pretty well.
1 year ago
beatyboutique says:
I'm going to try this, thanks!
1 year ago
LuLusApple says:
My family are hot sauce aficionados lol! Gracias for the recipe!! I might try to grow some peppers this year :D
1 year ago
OliveLongstocking says:
hot and delicious............... m m m !!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
wow looks a lot easier than expected! must say though I get a bit nervous about handling chilli
1 year ago
reveriefrance says:
It looks great! I'm just wondering about storage? You didn't boil it all on the stove, so is it stil okay to store in the pantry or do you need to store it in the fridge?
1 year ago
whatahussy says:
so excited to try this!!!
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Looks yummy! I love spices :)
1 year ago
TwinDreamCreations says:
I'm going to try this! I love hot sauce :)
1 year ago
HeavenlyNaturals says:
Spicy is Good!
1 year ago
muffintopdesigns says:
now i'm hungry. going to try this and see if the husband even notices i made it myself!
1 year ago
VintageNesting says:
Has my mouth watering for sure! This is going to the top of my TO DO list.
1 year ago
DianaEvans says:
oh what a great post!!! love hot sauce!!!!!
1 year ago
AmberGypsySky says:
this is great! we're definitely making this!
1 year ago
Olympias says:
This was GREAT!!!I loved it!Amazing post!:)
1 year ago
DisgustingEmperor79 says:
SIMPLY W O N D E R F U L!!!
1 year ago
tomatored says:
very cool visuals!
1 year ago
KettleConfections says:
This looks amazingly delicious- and the color of the sauce looks so bold and tasty! Going to have to give this a try for sure.
1 year ago
genisepark says:
Oh this looks really yummy.
1 year ago
ShoponSherman says:
I love spicey food. I dont usually make my own hot sauce though. With all the warnings in the replies, it seems dangerous lol.
1 year ago
LoveButtons says:
The recipe sounds great - I love spicy foods :oP
1 year ago
kristytrance says:
Love the article, this is a very different recipe than the one I make. I make a about a gallon at a time for my house hold to consume in a couple of weeks. We put it on everything! Yum Yum!
1 year ago
houseofSTARK says:
YUMS! Lovely colour, too!
1 year ago
NanneysCreek says:
I grow my own peppers, will have to try this. Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
VedaArts says:
awesome! i have been experimenting with making my own food like mayonnaise, yogurt and such. So worth it and so fulfilling! thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
kittykatherine says:
The sauce is half vinegar, so the acidity is high and it keeps well. This said, it's best kept in the fridge.
1 year ago
mapetitefaiblesse says:
I'm definitely going to have to try this. My boyfriend likes his food spicy to the point that even dishes labeled spicy in restaurants aren't spicy enough for him (Food that spicy would probably dissolve my esophagus, but to each his own.) Anyway, it will be challenge to see if I can get it spicy enough for him. Thanks for the recipe!
1 year ago
PinesVintageClothing says:
O hot sauce how I love you so, let me count the ways...on eggs and stir-fry and in my soup...sometimes I want to drink it from the bottle. Trying this recipe for sure. Can't wait for the homemade addition to the half a dozen other hot sauces I keep in my pantry.
1 year ago
Tidepools says:
HOT! I love it spicy. Can't wait till my peppers grow so I can try this.
1 year ago
AnnTig says:
Oooooooooooooo Sounds tasty! Thank you for sharings:)
1 year ago
soyNsuds says:
This sounds great! You don't care about your eyes; just keep it above the waist ~ good one ;)
1 year ago
Vanessa says:
You guys are hilarious!
1 year ago
TheWhimsicalMuse says:
I guess you're not supposed to drink it...LOL Looks yummy, though :)
1 year ago
TheSpeeceCollection says:
I am so ready for this! Let's see if my ears smoke!
1 year ago
BunniesandAvacado says:
YUMMY! I want some!
1 year ago
Simag says:
Yummy and i just LOVE the photos! Great with hummus and some pita:) I make my hot sause {Harissa} with ground coriander+ caraway seeds + cumin Happy Friday!
1 year ago
CheekyLemur says:
Wow! Thanks for the recipe, this is one i really must give a go. I now live in France and hot sauce is one thing that is quite difficult to find here.
1 year ago
katylua says:
Is there a specific NM chile variety recommended? I like to make red chile sauce out of Hatch chiles, but have a number of other NM varieties in my freezer just waiting for a purpose to shine.
1 year ago
credd says:
i made this hot sauce today with peppers that i grew last year...and let me tell you...i may never buy hot sauce again!!!
1 year ago
RPotterStudio says:
Delicious! Nothing like some spice.
1 year ago
aBeachBreeze says:
I'm a big baby when it comes to hot stuff, so I used poblano and anaheim peppers to make this. Came out perfectly. It's delicious!!!
1 year ago
kabbalahdesigners says:
Yummy, looks good
1 year ago
shoebx says:
As a caribbean girl, myself, I love hotsauce. This is a good recipe.
1 year ago
poorjimsvintage says:
I SENSE THE CHEMISTRY! AND LOOK! no ones got rings. The color of that sauce is beautiful and I love that old blender.
1 year ago
GlenEchoDesigns says:
I am so excited to try this! The addition of the sherry sounds amazing!
1 year ago
jiang888 says:
Nice Post. I dont know if every blog needs conversions! Or is conversion = interaction? Because the interaction between a blog and its readers is so necessary! And tbh a funblog can also have funny title and less points of interest,l if its done well! Microsoft Visio Standard 2010
1 year ago
lulouandada says:
Oh my goodness, you've found the way into my heart.
1 year ago
aoisart says:
I must send this link to my husband!! Thank you!
305 days ago
hempandhamsa says:
I love pepper! All day. Everyday.
304 days ago
psylent777 says:
I just made a batch with guajillo and chili de arbol... I have to say, a _little_ too salty for my taste. I added a tsp of honey and lime juice. Tasty! Next time I might try halving the salt.
285 days ago
ikibotoke says:
I just made it and it came out alright. Not amazing, but definitely not spicy enough for me. I added 11 chiles de arbol and it's just giving me a little zing. Probably going to use chiles japones next time with a few pequin peppers or maybe something hotter.
118 days ago