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    Home » Recipes » Jams, pickles & preserves

    Published: Apr 1, 2021 · Modified: Apr 1, 2021 by kseniaprints · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost ·

    How to make Ají (Colombian salsa): The best hot sauce you didn't know you were missing!

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    Spicy Colombian aji

    Colombian Ají is the Colombian salsa of my dreams: vinegary, acidic, spicy in just the right amount, vegetable-forward and customizable.

    And of course, the beautiful green colour of ají doesn't hurt, either! Discover the best hot sauce you didn't know you were missing, brought to you straight from my Colombia travels.

    Spicy Colombian aji
    Jump to:
    • Colombian Ají is the Colombian salsa of my dreams: vinegary, acidic, spicy in just the right amount, vegetable-forward and customizable.
    • The limits of Colombian spice tolerance
    • Discovering Aji Picante
    • What is Ají (Colombian salsa)?
    • Ají Ingredients
    • How to make Aji Colombiano
    • Why you should try Colombian Ají
    • Recipes to pair with Ají:
    • Recipe
    Spicy Colombian aji
    Spicy Colombian aji
    Spicy Colombian aji

    The limits of Colombian spice tolerance

    "Oh my god, it burns," my man gasped in between puffed, red cheeks, fanning his face as he reached for the handy glass of ice-cold cider.

    I stared at him, dumbfounded.

    "It's barely spicy... I'm sorry, it was just a bit of hot sauce..." I trailed off, watching him drown back a quarter of a litre of cider in less than 30 seconds.

    This was my first time cooking for him, and judging by his reaction to one taste of my conservatively spiced Middle Eastern curry, I wasn't sure there was going to be many more.

    There is this idea that Latin food is spicy. Well, as many who have travelled across South America can attest, I'm here to tell you nothing could be further from the truth. Hot peppers make an appearance in Mexico, staying strong throughout central American, and making tentacles into Peru.... but lose their stride as the continent moves towards Argentina.

    On our first date, when I offered the Colombian man sitting by me a taste of my shrimp tacos, he took one look at the bottle of hot sauce I doused on the plate not five minutes earlier, and politely declined.

    "I can't eat spicy. It hurts when it comes in, and it hurts when it comes out."

    My god, I thought - any man who makes that kind of conversation on a first date must be a keeper.

    Spicy Colombian aji
    Spicy Colombian aji
    Spicy Colombian aji
    Spicy Colombian aji

    Discovering Aji Picante

    Luckily, we overcame that minor hurdle. He learned to temper spicy dishes with generous portions of sour cream, and I learned to keep the spice to my own plate.

    When I cook for us, I now treat chilli flakes as spicy - and that's coming from a girl who used to put fresh habanero peppers in salads. My tolerance has gone down, and his has gone (very slightly) up.

    I had resigned myself to a life devoid of spice... which for me, was almost a life devoid of flavour.

    That is, until I discovered aji Colombiano.

    Spicy Colombian aji

    What is Ají (Colombian salsa)?

    As the name suggests, Ají, also known as aji picante or aji colombiano, is Colombian salsa. In fact, it's probably the king of Colombian sauces, available in any corner restaurant on all tables. It's eaten with Colombian empanadas and arepas.

    Aji colombiano is made out of a mix of onions, mild peppers, garlic, cilantro and lime juice. When read peppers are added, it becomes Aji rojo; in its green version, it's Aji verde.

    I first discovered Ají by mistake.

    It came about on Christmas, when we prepared a traditional Colombian Christmas dinner for our friends. My searches for Colombian pico de gallo uncovered an aji recipe that when presented to an actual Colombian, was easily identified as aji picante, or Colombian aji.

    It was a hotter, much more nuanced salsa, one that could be counted on to give food extra layers of flavour even if used in combination with another sauce. And what's even better, it was a hot sauce my man could stomach!

    Spicy Colombian aji

    Ají Ingredients

    • 1 hot pepper finely minced (you can use any hot pepper of your choice - green banana peppers are mild, jalapenos are a bit spicier, or you can use a mix of green and red peppers. Spicier peppers will result in an aji picante)
    • ½ cup white vinegar
    • ¼ cup water
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro finely minced
    • ½ cup scallions finely minced
    • ½ to mato optional, finely minced
    Spicy Colombian aji

    How to make Aji Colombiano

    My Ají recipe couldn't be easier.

    First, you mince all your ingredients finely by hand. Do not blend them - that results in a watery sauce that is as far from Colombian aji as sriracha.

    Combine all finely minced ingredients in a jar, and ensure you have enough liquid to cover (if your liquid isn't enough, add a 1:2:4 ratio of oil-water-vinegar). Let sit in dark, cool area for at least 24 hours, and then refrigerate.

    Spicy Colombian aji
    Spicy Colombian aji

    Why you should try Colombian Ají

    From the moment I made aji colombiano, I was hooked.

    We now have a constantly replenished jar of spicy aji picante in our pantry. As soon as we start to run low, I go to the market and get whatever peppers look good - long green banana peppers produce a milder Ají recipe, while jalapeno gives aji Colombiano more of a kick.

    If I have tomatoes on hand, I will throw one into the blend - and the same goes for some red peppers. Essentially, Ají is an endlessly customizable dish that lets me play, taste and enjoy it anew every time.

    My aji recipe is basic, but I encourage you to find your own combination - or to do as the Colombians do, and try a different pepper combination each time.

    Either way, aji picante will soon become the best hot sauce you didn't know you were missing!

    Recipes to pair with Ají:

    • Colombian Empanada sauce, or how to make Easy Colombian Pico de Gallo
    • Colombian Ajiaco recipe that will transport you to Bogota
    • Discover Spiced Middle Eastern Grilled Corn, the Powerful Street Food of Your Dreams
    • Colombian ceviche with pear, fennel and mango
    Spicy Colombian aji

    Recipe

    Spicy Colombian aji

    Spicy Colombian aji

    Spicy Colombian aji is the hot sauce of my dreams: vinegary, acidic, spicy in just the right amount, vegetable-forward and endlessly customizable. And of course, its beautiful green colour doesn't hurt, either! Discover the best hot sauce you didn't know you were missing.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin
    Course: Condiment, Hot sauce, Sauce
    Cuisine: Colombian
    Keyword: aji, Bogota, Colombia, Colombian aji, gluten-free, grain-free, hot sauce, peppers, sauce, vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Rest time: 1 day
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 40kcal
    Author: Ksenia Prints

    Ingredients

    • 1 hot pepper finely minced (you can use any hot pepper of your choice - green banana peppers are mild, jalapenos are a bit spicier, or you can use a mix of green and red peppers)
    • ½ cup white vinegar
    • ¼ cup water
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro finely minced
    • ½ cup scallions finely minced
    • ½ to mato optional, finely minced

    Instructions

    • Combine all finely minced ingredients in a jar, and ensure you have enough liquid to cover (if your liquid isn't enough, add a 1:2:4 ratio of oil-water-vinegar). Let sit in dark, cool area for at least 24 hours, and then refrigerate.

    Notes

    NOTE: Please do not blend your ingredients, and take care to chop very finely; it will ruin the texture of your aji.

    Nutrition

    Sodium: 148mg | Calcium: 8mg | Vitamin C: 11mg | Vitamin A: 248IU | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 1g | Potassium: 61mg | Calories: 40kcal | Saturated Fat: 3g | Fat: 4g | Protein: 1g | Carbohydrates: 2g | Iron: 1mg
    « Passover Matzo Crack aka Chocolate Matzo Toffee
    Colombian Ajiaco recipe that will transport you to Bogota »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jael says

      May 22, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      THat looks fabulous! I will certainly make it. One of my best friends here in Israel is from Colombia, but she does not like spicy, so I don't think she makes this;D

      • lagatta à Montréal says

        May 24, 2018 at 2:29 pm

        Jael, this would be delicious even if toned down in terms of heat.

        • kseniaprints says

          May 31, 2018 at 1:56 am

          The amount of peppers and the kind of peppers you use is completely scaleable according to your tolerance. My partner eats very mild aji, so I make mine with green banana peppers or even poblanos.

      • kseniaprints says

        May 31, 2018 at 1:55 am

        I was surprised to discover how many Colombians went through Israel! Glad you like it 🙂

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    Privet, I am Ksenia Prints! A food and travel blogger, photographer and storyteller. I help adventurous home cooks explore the world through healthy, beautiful immigrant recipes.

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