Peri Peri Spices

Peri Peri spices are absolutely incredible. I had never heard about them until I moved to the UK. My first week there, all I heard about was this restaurant called Nando’s. Everyone said that it was delicious. A month or two later, I finally made my way over there. You know what? Nando’s (in the UK) is really good. Why? Because of the peri peri spices.

Now, the peri peri pepper is not European. While the pepper originates from the Americas, it now grows throughout southeast Africa. The sauce and seasoning, however, is Portuguese. (If you want a mini lesson on this African Bird’s Eye Chili see here) Thank goodness for Portugal here. I absolutely love these sauces and spices. They are incredible. I absolutely do not understand why we don’t find them more often in the USA. In fact, the only place I have seen them is at Nando’s.

Of course, going to Nando’s (which is different the US) quickly racks up a big bill. Being thrifty, I wanted to enjoy the same spices without going out to eat. Plus, when in the US I can’t find these spices in the store! So, naturally I had to create my own mix. Personally, I really enjoy it. It has no sugar or preservatives (which always bothers me when buying mixes and spices at the store! I mean, does it really need sweetening???).

One more quick thought before we make this and then eat it (with something of course)!

This seasoning acts wonderfully as a dry rub for chicken and steak or a spicy salty mix when added to French fries or mashed potatoes. I recommend you try it! It’s super simple and just as delicious! In fact, if you try substituting it for the masala in my Chicken Tikka Masala recipe you’ll learn just how wonderful it is!

Peri Peri Seasoning: Your Very Own Homemade Spice Mix

We’re not going to do anything fancy with this spice mix. I mean, mostly with seasonings you mix everything together. And that is exactly what we are going to do here! Now, mix all these ingredients together once you get them!

• 2 grams (½ teaspoon) paprika
• 2 grams (½ teaspoon) smoked paprika
• 1 gram (¼ teaspoon) cayenne pepper
• 1 gram (¼ teaspoon) bird’s eye chili flakes
• 2 grams (½ teaspoon) garlic powder
• 1 gram (¾ teaspoon) onion powder
• 1 gram (½ teaspoon) ground coriander
• 2 gram ( ½ teaspoon) cumin
• 1 gram (½ teaspoon) oregano
• 2 grams (½ teaspoon) salt
• ½ gram (¼ teaspoon) black pepper

And that’s that! Super simple as always!

Have a fun way of eating peri-peri or thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!!