Red Sahawiq (Bisbas) -Yemeni Fresh Chilli & Tomato Salsa
Discover Red Sahawiq (Bisbas), Yemen’s vibrant chilli and tomato salsa made with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and cumin. This fiery, no-cook condiment lifts rice, meats, and flatbreads in minutes.Red Sahawiq (Bisbas) -Yemeni Fresh Chilli & Tomato Salsa
Ingredients
- 4 Tomatoes
- 3 Red Chillies
- 2-3 cloves Garlic
- Handful Coriander Leaves and Stems
- Squeeze Lemon Juice
- Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Powder
Instructions
- Roughly chop the tomatoes, chillies, garlic, and coriander. Add everything to a blender or food processor with the lemon juice, salt, and cumin.
- Pulse to a coarse salsa. Avoid over-blending. You want texture, not a purée. Taste and adjust salt, lemon, or chilli.
- Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to let the flavours settle.
Notes
Tips and tricks
- Remove chilli seeds for a milder sahawiq, or add an extra chilli if you like it hot.
- Pulse, scrape down, and stop early to prevent a watery texture.
- Roma/plum tomatoes are ideal as they’re less watery.
- A short rest deepens the flavour as the salt draws out juices.
- Finely chopping by hand gives excellent texture if you don’t want to blend.
Variations
- Smoky sahawiq: Char the tomatoes and chillies briefly over a flame before blending.
- Green-herb twist: Add extra coriander and a little parsley for a greener note.
- With olive oil: A tablespoon stirred in at the end gives a silkier finish (not traditional, but lovely).
- Extra spice: A pinch of ground black pepper or cardamom for warmth.
Storage
Red Sahawiq is best eaten fresh but keeps well:- Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Stir before using as natural separation may occur.
- If it waters out, simply stir it back in or drain a little liquid.
- Not suitable for freezing—the tomatoes lose their texture.
How to serve
Spoon it over rice, grilled chicken, lamb, or fish. Serve with flatbread and hummus or beans. Add to wraps and sandwiches. Or do as Yemenis do: put it on the table and let everyone help themselves.Nutrition
Calories: 26kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.05gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 307mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1031IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
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