Sudanese shata (dried chilli, garlic and lime sauce)
Shata: a fierce, sharp sauce of dried red chilli, garlic and lime that sits on every Sudanese table
No Sudanese meal is complete without a little dish of shata on the side, and every household and roadside grill from Port Sudan to Nyala has its own version. This one is the classic everyday type: dried red chillies soaked soft and pounded with raw garlic, salt and plenty of lime juice into a loose, brick-red sauce that is fiery, sour and garlicky all at once. A spoonful goes over ful, fried fish, grilled meat, salads and stews. Wear gloves when handling the chillies, and do not rub your eyes. Using the soaking water in place of fresh water is a mistake, as it can taste bitter and dusty; drain it off. Chef's tip: make it a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge; the heat settles and the garlic mellows.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- ⅞ oz dried red chilliesstalks removed; seed some for less heat
- 1 ¼ cups boiling waterfor soaking
- 6 cloves garlicpeeled
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup lime juicefrom 3–4 limes
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (optional)
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What you'll need
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Cover the ⅞ oz dried red chillies with the 1 ¼ cups boiling water and soak for 10 minutes until soft and pliable. Drain well and discard the water.
10 minStep 3: Add the soaked chillies and pound or blend until finely broken down, adding the ¼ cup lime juice juice and 3 tbsp cold water gradually to make a loose, spoonable sauce.
Step 4: Stir in the 1 tbsp vegetable oil if using. Keep in a clean jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 25 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 4 g
- Fat
- 1 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sudanese shata (dried chilli, garlic and lime sauce) take?
- About 15 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of lime juice?
- Lemon juice, same amount.
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