Shatta

Name: Shatta
Prep time: 15 min
Cuisine: Egyptian/Levantine
Ingredients: Fresh red chile peppers — 300 g (10.5 oz); Garlic cloves — 3; White wine vinegar — 30 ml (2 tbsp); Extra-virgin olive oil — 30 ml (2 tbsp); Salt — 5 g (1 tsp); Ground coriander (optional) — 2 g (1/2 tsp)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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15 min

Prep

0 min

Cook

Ingredients

Fresh red chile peppers — 300 g (10.5 oz)
Garlic cloves — 3
White wine vinegar — 30 ml (2 tbsp)
Extra-virgin olive oil — 30 ml (2 tbsp)
Salt — 5 g (1 tsp)
Ground coriander (optional) — 2 g (1/2 tsp)

Method

Remove stems from chiles (deseed for a milder version, if preferred).
Combine chiles, garlic and salt in a food processor; pulse to a coarse paste.
Add vinegar and coriander if using; pulse again briefly.
With the processor running, drizzle in olive oil until well combined.
Transfer to a jar; the sauce can be used fresh or left to ferment slightly at room temperature for a day for deeper
flavour.

Cultural Background: A simple, fiery chile sauce found across Egypt and the Levant, shatta is typically made from fresh or fermented red chiles with garlic and vinegar, used as a table condiment to add heat to falafel, ful medames and grilled dishes.

Tips: • Fresh red chiles give a brighter, sharper shatta; letting it sit briefly at room temperature mellows and deepens the flavour. • Adjust the chile-to-garlic ratio to taste — some versions are more garlic-forward than others.

Variations: • Ferment the mixture for several days at room temperature for a more complex, tangy version. • Add fresh coriander or parsley for a herbier variation.

Storage: Refrigerate in a sealed jar up to 3 weeks.

Reheating: Not applicable; served cold or at room temperature. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 20 kcal, 0.3 g protein, 1.5 g fat, 2 g carbohydrate per 15 g serving. FAQs What is shatta traditionally served with? Falafel, ful medames, grilled meats, and as a general table condiment across Egyptian and Levantine cuisine. Is shatta the same as zhoug? They're related chile condiments from different traditions — shatta is generally simpler, while zhoug includes coriander and warm spices.

FAQs: What is shatta traditionally served with? Falafel, ful medames, grilled meats, and as a general table condiment across Egyptian and Levantine cuisine. Is shatta the same as zhoug? They're related chile condiments from different traditions — shatta is generally simpler, while zhoug includes coriander and warm spices.