Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

CaribbeanAuthentic Cuisine

Caribbean Pepper Dip 3

Serves 4 to 6 Dip vegan, Appetizers

Caribbean Pepper Dip 3

Caribbean Pepper Dip 3 finds its roots in the heart of home kitchens across the islands, where recipes often live in the hands and memories of those who prepare them. It's a dish that graces tables during casual gatherings, where warmth and laughter are as abundant as the food itself. This dip represents a family cook's approach, relying on instinct rather than precise measurements, making it a true reflection of Caribbean hospitality.

The dip's flavor is a vibrant crescendo of roasted peppers, their sweetness deepened by open flame, and garlic's pungency softened by a generous splash of olive oil. A squeeze of lemon adds a bright, citrusy high note, while fine sea salt, measured by touch, rounds out the taste. It's a dish designed for sharing, inviting guests to relish each scoop with bread or chips, capturing the essence of Caribbean culinary tradition.

Ingredients

  • 3roasted peppers
  • 2 clovesgarlic
  • 60 mlolive oil
  • lemonjuiced
  • to tastefine sea salt

Method

  1. Begin by preparing the roasted peppers. If they have skins, gently peel them off and remove any seeds. Roughly chop the peppers and place them into a blender or a mortar and pestle. This will be the base of your dip, so ensure the pieces are manageable for blending or pounding.
  2. Add 2 cloves of garlic to the peppers. If using a blender, pulse the mixture until it forms a smooth paste. If using a mortar and pestle, pound the peppers and garlic together until they reach a cohesive, slightly chunky texture. The goal is a vibrant red mixture with no large chunks of garlic.
  3. Slowly incorporate 60 ml of olive oil into the pepper mixture. If using a blender, drizzle the oil in while blending on a low setting. If using a mortar and pestle, add the oil gradually, stirring continuously to emulsify. The mixture should become glossy and smooth, with the oil fully integrated.
  4. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the mixture. Blend or stir to combine, ensuring the acidity is evenly distributed. The lemon juice should brighten the color and enhance the aroma of the dip.
  5. Season the dip with fine sea salt to taste. Start with a small pinch and mix well, then taste by spreading a small amount on a piece of bread. Adjust the salt as needed, keeping in mind that the flavors will meld further during resting.
  6. Allow the dip to rest for a brief period, about 10 to 15 minutes, to let the flavors meld together. This resting time will also allow the texture to settle, making it easier to serve. Serve the dip cool, set out with bread or crackers for dipping, and enjoy the vibrant, tangy flavors typical of Caribbean home cooking.
Cover of Authentic Caribbean Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Caribbean Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Caribbean Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Caribbean volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

Explore Caribbean cuisine