Ata is the Yoruba word for chile pepper, and Nigerian chiles range from
the tiny ata wewe to the large ata funfun. It is served like a relish or
dip with many West African dishes, particularly grilled meats.
Variation: Add 1 bell pepper, chopped

Ingredients

10 dried red New Mexican chiles, seeds and stems removed, soaked in hot
water for 1 hour
1/2 cup peanut oil
1 onion, chopped
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Remove the chiles from the water and puree them in a blender or food
processor.
Heat the oil in a skillet, add the onion, pureed chiles, tomato sauce,
and salt. Fry over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Here is a typical Madagascar-style sauce that was served at the
Restaurant L’Exotic in Montreal. The sauce accompanied most of the
entrees at L’Exotic and it also can be added to soups or stews to spice
them up.

Ingredients

12 “bird’s eye” chiles (chiltepíns or piquins), crushed
3 tablespoons freshly ground ginger root
3 tablespoons freshly ground garlic
1 medium onion, diced
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 cup white vinegar
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup water
1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients together in a pan. Bring to boil, then reduce
heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, cool, puree in a
blender, and place the sauce in a small jar. It keeps for up to a year
in the refrigerator.

This recipe was collected for me in Mombasa, Kenya by Richard Sterling, 
who wrote: “The barbecue master at the Big Bite Restaurant in Mombasa is 
Tsuma Nzole Kalu. He concocted this recipe for hot sauce and gave it its 
name. Serve it over grilled or barbecued meats and poultry.”

Ingredients

4 fresh pili pili chiles or red jalapeños, seeds and stems removed
1/4 teaspoon coriander seed
1/4 teaspoon cardamom seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Ukwaju Kenyan lemon or 1 lime, juiced
Water

Instructions

Combine the chiles, spices, and the salt in a mortar and pound to a 
thick paste. Transfer to a jar, add the lemon or lime juice and enough 
water to make the mixture easily pourable. Shake well and set aside for 
a few hours to let the flavors marry.