Môlho de Churrasco (Brazilian Barbecue Sauce)

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Brazilian barbecues are justly famous, and this sauce can be used for 
basting during the slow cooking process. Feel free to use it for
American-style barbecues as well.

Ingredients

8 dried malagueta chiles, seeds and stems removed, crushed, or 
substitute piquin or Thai chiles
3 cups vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small onion, minced
2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
1 teaspoon crushed rosemary
2 teaspoons minced fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons minced fresh marjoram or oregano leaves

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a glass jar, cover, and shake well. Let stand 
for at least two hours to blend the flavors. Store in a refrigerator
until ready to use.

Pickapeppa Hot Sauce

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This is not the commercial sauce from Jamaica but rather a specialty 
from Georgetown, Guyana. It is served over seafood or used to spice up
gravies and salad dressings. Note: This recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

12 dried "bird peppers" (chiltepíns), seeds and stems removed, crushed, 
or substitute piquins or Thai chiles
1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 cup dry sherry

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a bottle and refrigerate for at least a week 
to blend the flavors. Shake at least once a day.

Salsa Criolla (Creole Barbecue Sauce)

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There are many variations on this Creole sauce from Argentina, but this 
is my favorite. It is served with grilled, roasted, or barbecued meats,
especially matambre. Variation: Add 1 bell pepper and 1 jalapeño, both
seeded and minced.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons ají chile powder or substitute New Mexican red chile powder
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 onions, minced
3 ripe tomatoes, chopped fine
2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
Salt to taste

Instructions

Combine the chile powder and the mustard with a little vinegar to make a 
paste. Add the rest of the vinegar and the olive oil and beat with a
whisk. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well, and allow to sit for 2
hours to blend the flavors.

Môlho Malagueta (Malagueta Sauce)

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Here is a basic Brazilian hot sauce featuring malagueta chiles. It is 
simple, powerful, and can be added to any recipe (except desserts) to
spice it up. Note: This recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

1 cup fresh or dried malagueta chiles, or substitute tabascos or 
piquins, stems removed, left whole
1 wine bottle (750 ml.), washed in boiling water and dried, with cork
1 cup vinegar
Olive oil to fill bottle

Instructions

Place the chiles in the wine bottle, add the vinegar and olive oil, and 
stopper the bottle securely. Place the bottle in the refrigerator and
let the chiles steep for at least 2 weeks, shaking the bottle whenever
you think about it. Shake well before using.

Guasacaca (Barbecue Sauce from Venezuela)

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This is by far the most unusual barbecue sauce in Latin America. Because 
it contains fresh avocados, it must be used immediately and cannot be
stored. Use it to marinate and/or baste grilled or barbecued shrimp,
beef slices, or chicken.

Ingredients

1 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 habanero chile, seeds and stem removed, minced, or substitute 2 jalapeños
1 large ripe avocado, peeled and pit removed
2 cups peeled and chopped ripe tomatoes
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar or substitute lime juice
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
2 tablespoons minced parsley (Italian preferred)
Salt to taste

Instructions

With a mortar and pestle, mash the onion, garlic, chile, avocado, and 
tomatoes into a paste (this may need to be done in batches). Add the
remaining ingredients and blend well with a fork.