Description
This recipe creates a mango habanero sauce with a sweet, spicy flavor and a unique tangy tamarind swirl. It serves as an excellent glaze or dipping sauce for various dishes, including grilled chicken, fish tacos, or shrimp skewers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large ripe mangoes (about 3 cups diced)
- 2–3 habanero peppers, stems removed and deseeded for milder heat
- 1 small yellow onion (about 100g), roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1/4 cup (60ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar (for sauce base)
- 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 cup (50g) tamarind paste (block type)
- 1/4 cup (50ml) hot water (for tamarind)
- 1/4 cup (50g) light brown sugar (for swirl)
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Simmer Mango Base: Combine the mangoes, habanero peppers, onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, vegetable broth, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until the mangoes are very soft.
- Prepare Tamarind Swirl: While the mango base simmers, place the tamarind paste in a heatproof bowl with hot water. Let it soften for 5-10 minutes, then mash and press through a fine-mesh sieve into a small saucepan, discarding fibrous solids.
- Thicken Swirl Mixture: Add 1/4 cup brown sugar and five-spice powder to the strained tamarind liquid. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 5-7 minutes until slightly thick and syrupy. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Blend Sauce Base: Transfer the cooked mango mixture to a blender. Blend until perfectly smooth. If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash of broth before blending to thin it out.
- Create Marbled Effect: Pour the smooth mango habanero sauce into a clean jar and let it cool for 10 minutes. Gently drizzle the tamarind swirl over the top of the sauce, then use a skewer to create distinct ribbons and marbled patterns.
- Chill and Store: Cool completely at room temperature before covering and refrigerating for up to 2 weeks or freezing for up to 3 months.
Notes
To adjust the heat level, remove seeds and pith from habaneros for a milder sauce, or substitute with a jalapeño. If the sauce is too thick after chilling, stir in a splash of water or broth to reach the desired consistency. If too thin, simmer longer before blending.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: condiment
- Method: simmering
- Cuisine: general
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: mango habanero sauce, tamarind, sweet heat, dipping sauce, grilling glaze, easy recipe, spicy sauce, fruit-based sauce, make-ahead sauce
