Hungarian Hot Paprika Sauce

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Although paprika is more often used in stews than sauces, this sauce was 
designed as a condiment for fish. Traditionally, it is served over fried 
fillets of river fish.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon minced onion
2 to 3 teaspoons hot paprika
Hint of nutmeg

Instructions

Heat the butter in a saucepan. Add the flour, salt, and pepper and stir 
constantly until it starts to bubble. Gradually add the milk, stirring 
constantly until the mixture is smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil and 
continue to stir for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the onion, nutmeg, and paprika 
to the mixture, stir well for 30 seconds, and serve.

Adzhiga Salsa

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The ingredients of this specialty from Russia are similar to the 
traditional Mexican pico de gallo salsa with the exception that celery 
replaces tomatoes and dill is added. Georgians spread it thickly onto a 
piece of lavash (Georgian bread) and wolf it down no matter how many 
chiles are added to it. Please note that this recipe requires advance 
preparation, as the adzhiga tastes better when it's served 1 to 3 days 
after making.

Ingredients

10 cloves garlic
2 celery stalks, including leaves, chopped
5 red or green serrano or jalapeño chiles, seeds and stems removed chopped
2 red bell peppers, chopped
2 cups fresh dill, chopped
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped cilantro
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Combine the garlic, celery, chiles, bell peppers, dill, and cilantro in 
a food processor. Using the pulse mode, puree gently until the 
ingredients form a coarse paste. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir 
in the vinegar and salt. Cover and let stand overnight.

Ají Molido

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This South American paste can be used as a substitute whenever fresh chiles are called for. It will keep for two weeks or more in the refrigerator; for longer storage, increase the vinegar and reduce the amount of olive oil. For a red paste, substitute 15 dried New Mexican red chiles, soaked in water. For a green paste, substitute 10 New Mexican green chiles, roasted, peeled, and chopped. For a much hotter paste, add 5 habanero chiles. All chiles should have the seeds and stems removed.

Ingredients

20 fresh yellow ají chiles, or substitute yellow wax hot or jalapeño seeds and stems removed, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and puree in batches to a fine paste.

Salsa Fra Diavolo (Running with the Devil Sauce)

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“Running with the devil” is my rough translation of salsa fra diavolo, a 
pasta sauce redolent with fresh herbs. It can be spread over crusty 
bread, sprinkled with cheese, and baked. If cooked until quite thick, it 
makes a great pizza sauce, too.

Ingredients

1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 small onion, minced
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
4 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon crushed red New Mexican chile
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
Salt to taste

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large, heavy saucepan over a medium heat. Saute the 
bell pepper, garlic, and onion until the onion becomes soft, about 5 to 
8 minutes. Lower the heat, stir in the parsley, and simmer for 1 minute. 
Add the remaining ingredients and simmer over a very low heat for 
approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Salsa Amatriciana (Spicy Amatrice Sauce)

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From the Sabine town of Amatrice comes this simple but great pasta 
sauce. Traditionally, it is served over bucatini, a spaghetti-like pasta 
that has a hole in it, like a straw. It is then sprinkled with grated 
pecorino romano cheese.

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1 pound pancetta or smoked bacon, chopped
2 onions, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 small, hot red chiles, such as santaka, Thai, or piquin, crushed into 
a coarse powder
2 28-ounce cans Italian plum tomatoes, drained, 1 cup juice reserved
Cayenne powder to taste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large sauce pan, add the pancetta and cook over medium 
heat until browned, about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to brown the 
pancetta evenly. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. 
Remove all but 1/2 cup of the remaining fat.
Add the onions and saute until golden, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic 
and crushed chiles and saute for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and mash 
them with a spoon. Increase the heat, add the reserved tomato juice and 
the pancetta, and boil until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes.
Taste for heat and seasonings and adjust with cayenne, salt, and pepper.