"So What" Haitian Epis Seasoning Base Recipe

Epis is essential to Haitian cuisine and is relatively simple to make at home, and it can be easily customized to your own taste preferences. If you're looking for a way to add some extra flavor to your meals, epis seasoning is definitely worth trying.

Get ready to groove your taste buds with the soulful rhythm of Haitian epis seasoning! Just like a smooth jazz ensemble, this vibrant blend of fresh herbs, garlic, peppers, and spices harmonizes beautifully to create a symphony of flavor.

Perfect for marinating meats, seasoning stews, or adding a burst of Caribbean flair to any dish, epis is the secret ingredient that will make your kitchen sing. So, let’s get cooking and let the flavorful improvisation begin!

Related Posts:

• Haitian Pikliz
• Haitian Spaghetti
• Soup Joumou

Why You Will Love It

Bold, flavorful Haitian epis seasoning base that makes everything taste better including both Haitian dishes and non-Haitian recipes. If you’re looking to add a little something extra to your cooking, epis seasoning is a great option.

If you’re looking for a seasoning with a bit of a kick, this Haitian epis recipe is perfect for you. With a flavor that’s both spicy and earthy, this seasoning is perfect for adding some extra flavor to your food. Try it on chicken, fish, rice, or whatever - you won’t be disappointed!

Epis seasoning is a traditional Haitian spice blend that is used to flavor many Haitian dishes. It typically consists of garlic, onions, peppers, and other spices. You can adjust the quantity of cayenne pepper to suit your personal taste preferences. The now complete epis seasoning is versatile and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for convenient use in future recipes.

Spicy peppers like scotch bonnet peppers or other alternatives can be added to give the epis a nice spicy kick.

Epis is essential to Haitian cuisine and is relatively simple to make at home, and it can be easily customized to your own taste preferences. If you’re looking for a way to add some extra flavor to your meals, epis seasoning is definitely worth trying.

Recipe inspiration

I've been diving deeper and deeper into African and Caribbean cuisine. I've fallen in love with epis cause in many ways because it's allowed me to create fusion dishes representing cuisine across the African diaspora. It's a great seasoning base that has the same application as sofrito and green seasoning.

beats and eats (music to pair with epis seasoning)

When I think of epis I think of the standup bass on Miles Davis’ song “So What” from the Kind Of Blue Album. It’s not the headline instrument but that bass is the foundation and is what gives the song that thing. Epis plays the same role in food recipes.

Miles Davis' song "So What" pairs well with Haitian epis because both embody a sense of effortless sophistication and complexity.

"So What" features a cool, laid-back jazz vibe that’s deceptively simple yet deeply intricate, much like Haitian epis, which uses straightforward ingredients to create a rich, layered flavor profile.

The seamless interplay of instruments in "So What" mirrors the harmonious blend of herbs, garlic, peppers, and spices in epis, each element contributing to a balanced and cohesive whole.

Just as "So What" can set the mood for various occasions, from relaxed evenings to sophisticated gatherings, Haitian epis enhances a wide range of dishes, making them suitable for any meal.

What Is Haitian Epis?

Epis is the Haitian equivalent of a sofrito or Caribbean green seasoning (common in Trinidad) and serves as a base for most Haitian recipes. It’s a blend of herbs, peppers, garlic, oil and vinegar. If you're new to Haitian food, one of the things you'll notice when you try it is the depth of flavor.

That depth is provided by the consistent use of epis which Haitians have long been using to enhance meals from the most basic to the more complex. Epis is useful in flavoring soups, stews, rice and especially dope a marinade for most meats.

Epis recipes vary based on where you're from, who your peoples are, and just general preference. It's easy to modify allowing you to enjoy those delicious Haitian flavors your way.

Key Ingredients To Make Epis Seasoning

• Yellow onion coarsely chopped
• Red bell pepper coarsely chopped
• Yellow bell pepper coarsely chopped
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper (sub Habanero chili pepper) seeds and veins removed
• Spicy peppers such as scotch bonnet, Thai bird's eye chilies, or habanero peppers
• Celery stick
• Scallions coarsely chopped
• Garlic cloves coarsely chopped
• Fresh Thyme leaves only
• Parsley leaves chopped roughly
• Olive Oil
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

How To Make Epis (Step by Step)

There are no real steps. It’s like making salsa - just roughly chop and blend! Similarly, making green seasoning involves blending various fresh herbs and spices into a versatile paste.

Step 1: Blend the ingredients

Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until the consistency of a coarse salsa. Add more olive oil if needed for blending. Epis goes with just about anything. I use it as an ingredient mostly, but I’ve used it as a topping for meat dishes and occasionally as a dip.

What To Serve With Epis

Haitian epis seasoning is a flavorful powerhouse that can elevate almost any dish with its aromatic and zesty profile, making it a must-have in your culinary repertoire. Here are some of the best ways to use it:

Meats

• Chicken: Use epis as a marinade for roasted, baked, grilled chicken, or even fried chicken katsu
• Beef: Perfect for marinating steaks, making stews, or seasoning ground beef for meatballs.
• Pork: Adds incredible flavor to pork ribs, ribs, or slow-cooked pulled pork.

Seafood

• Fish: Ideal for marinating and grilling fish, adding a fresh, herby taste.
• Shrimp: Season shrimp before grilling or sauteing for a Caribbean twist.

Rice and Grains

• Rice: Mix epis into rice for a flavorful base, perfect for rice and beans or pilaf.
• Quinoa: Enhance the taste of quinoa by cooking it with a spoonful of epis.

Stews and Soups

• Soups: Use epis as a base for hearty soups, adding complexity to the broth.
• Stews: Integral to traditional Haitian stews, like joumou (pumpkin soup) or beef stew. Another option is to include it in tasty Brazilian Seafood Stew.

Legumes

• Beans: Perfect for seasoning black beans, kidney beans, or lentils.

Storage and Shelf Life

Proper storage is essential to maintain the vibrant flavor and aroma of your Haitian Epis. To keep your epis fresh and ready to use, store it in an airtight container, such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, and place it in the refrigerator. This will help preserve its rich, aromatic qualities for up to 3 months.

For those who like to plan ahead, consider freezing your Haitian Epis in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe storage bag or container. This method allows you to conveniently use small portions as needed, and frozen Haitian Epis can last for up to 6 months. By following these storage tips, you can ensure that your epis remains a flavorful staple in your kitchen.

Other recipes that work well epis include:

Smothered Green Beans and Potatoes

Mashed Cauliflower

Chicken Fried Pork Steaks

Stewed Okra

Coconut Rice

Fried Eggs

Black-eyed Peas

Key Tips For Making Epis

• Use fresh ingredients where possible. Dry spices like allspice, whole cloves, paprika, or bouillon cubes can be added.
• Find the spices and herbs that work for you, so don’t feel like you have to stick to the script
• Mortar and pestle works great to make this if you have one available, otherwise a food processor or blender works fine
• Colors for this seasoning base will vary depending on the types of ingredients used. The type/color of the bell peppers used will most impact color.
• Make a big batch ahead of time and keep refrigerated using at your pleasure

Variations

Variations can occur from place to place or family to family, but no Haitian home has no Haitian Epis Seasoning Base not in its fridge. I like to add a little acidity from time to time like lemon juice, lime juice or apple cider vinegar. I keep mine mild pretty much always, but I've tried scotch bonnet peppers when I used epis as a chicken marinade.

I've seen some recipes that call for chicken bouillon cube aka Maggi seasoning. Your call, but I chose to keep things on the fresh side.

Helpful Swap Ideas

if you're looking to make Haitian epis seasoning but need to substitute some ingredients, here are helpful swap ideas:

Aromatics

• Green Bell Peppers: Swap with any color bell pepper, although red, yellow, or orange will add a bit of sweetness.
• Scotch Bonnet Peppers: Use habanero peppers for similar heat, or jalapeños for a milder version.
• Garlic: If fresh garlic isn't available, use garlic powder (about ⅛ teaspoon per clove) or granulated garlic.

For similar recipes you might like, try these:

Collard Greens Salsa Verde

Zhug Sauce

West African Peanut Sauce

Jerk Marinade

Make This Epis Recipe

And there you have it—a culinary masterpiece that hits all the right notes of flavorful Haitian creole cuisine. Haitian epis seasoning, with its rich, aromatic blend, is the jazz solo that transforms your dishes into showstoppers. Whether you’re marinating, sautéing, or stewing, this vibrant mix will bring a soulful island groove to your kitchen.

So, keep improvising, keep exploring, and let the flavors of epis play the melody in your culinary creations. Bon appétit, and let the good times roll!

Haitian seasoning base is a Haitian spice mixture that can be used in many different dishes. It’s easy to make and gives your food a delicious flavor. Why not give it a try in this recipe for your next shrimp or chicken dish? The combination of spices is sure to please your taste buds. So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

If you make this delicious Haitian epis recipe or any other from the site, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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