5 from 6 votes
Silsi (Eritrean Tomato Sauce)
Put an Eritrean spin on meals with silsi, a spicy tomato sauce seasoned with berbere. Perfect if you want to bring some extra heat into your tomato recipes!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings:
4
servings (1/2 cup each)
Calories:
190 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Condiments
Cuisine:
African
Ingredients
- ¼ cup sunflower oil see Note 1, or other neutral oil
- 1 red onion large or 2 small
- 1 carrot
- 1 jalapeno pepper (*optional)
- 1–2 tbsp berbere spice or use any storebought version, homemade
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tomato large or 1/2 can diced
- ½ head garlic
- ½ tsp salt fine or 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper ground
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (*optional)
Instructions
- Shred the onion, carrot, and jalapeno pepper using a grater or food processor (I find that this gives me a better texture than dicing; it's important to get the veggies chopped very fine but but not puréed).
- Pour 1/4 cup oil into a saucepan on medium heat, then add the shredded veggies. Sauté for around ten minutes or until lightly caramelized and starting to stick to the pan.
- Meanwhile, chop the tomato and mince the garlic, or pulse together in a food processor.
- Add 1–2 tbsp berbere seasoning and 1 tbsp tomato paste to the saucepan and sauté for another minute, then add the chopped tomato and garlic, along with salt and black pepper.
- Lower the heat to minimum and simmer, uncovered, for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and burning on the bottom.
- When the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce is a nice thick consistency, remove from heat and squeeze in 1 tbsp lemon juice.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Oil: Any neutral-tasting oil is fine for this recipe.
- Berbere: Start by adding 1 tbsp of berbere seasoning, and then add more to taste near the end of cooking, if you would like a more heavily-spiced sauce.
Nutrition Information
Calories
190kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
17g
(6%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Sodium
464mg
(19%)
Potassium
513mg
(11%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
5128IU
(103%)
Vitamin C
33mg
(37%)
Calcium
50mg
(5%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings (1/2 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 190kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Sodium | 464mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 513mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 5128IU | 103% |
| Vitamin C | 33mg | 37% |
| Calcium | 50mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.