This post is compliments of my dad.  On Monday, we spent the whole day together apple picking at Royal Oaks Farm.  I love apple picking, it’s the perfect fall time activity.  Plus you get to eat delicious apples while you pick them.  It’s the best!

While we were getting lunch, I told him I needed to come up with a DIY post for today.  He gave me some good ideas, but hot sauce was the one that won for today.

I’m surprised I didn’t think of this one sooner.  A lot of people buy hot sauce and there are a ton of varieties at the store.  When I took a look at the ingredients on most hot sauces, I saw that it was really a simple product.  There are  of course different variations and levels of heat, but the basic ingredient list is short and sweet.  Which makes it a perfect product to make at home.

While I love making things at home to save money and know exactly what is going into my food, I also like playing around with flavors and ingredients.  Putting my little twist on common staples is fun and is a great way to learn how different ingredients go together or don’t.

This hot sauce came together quickly and I love how fresh it tastes.  Just a little will go a long way in your recipes and it will last you a long time.  Just a few tips for you while making this:

• If you have any cuts or scrapes on your hands, WEAR GLOVES!  Trust me you do not want to be getting hot pepper juice in your wounds.
• Do NOT rub your eyes/nose/mouth while making this unless you enjoy feeling like your face is on fire.
• If you choose not to wear gloves, wash your hands REALLY well after you’re done.  Again, avoid the eye/nose/mouth region with your hands.

Long story short, protect your skin from the hot peppers or else you will feel the burn.  And not in a good way.

Hot Sauce

• 10-15 habanero peppers
• 2-3 jalapeno peppers
• 3 tsp roasted garlic or 3 cloves fresh garlic, roughly chopped
• 2 large carrots, shredded
• 2 cups water
• juice of one lime
• 2-3 tbsp white vinegar
• salt to taste

1. Take off the stems from the peppers and roughly chop.  If you like super spicy hot sauce, you can leave in the seeds.
2. Heat a little oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, if you’re using fresh garlic add that in and saute for a few minutes.  Then add the carrot shreds and saute for 2 to 3 more minutes.
3. Add the two cups of water and bring everything to a boil.  Cover and lower to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Remove the lid and take the pot off of the heat.  Add the peppers to the mixture and then stir in the vinegar and lime juice.  Add a little salt and stir again.
5. Pour the whole mixture into a blender and puree until smooth.  Taste and add more salt if needed.
6. Let the sauce cool and then store in an airtight container in the fridge.  

That’s it.  I can’t stress enough about protecting your hands and then not touching your face while making this.  Or any other sensitive areas…. OUCH!  But afterward you will get an awesome hot sauce that you made with your own, possibly slightly burned, hands!