Years ago, Jack worked at a very popular Mexican restaurant called The Edgewater Café, in a small, out-of-the-way coastal town about an hour north of Boston. Many of their fabulous dishes used a version of this “Rocket Fuel” – or homemade hot sauce – and it was so popular with their customers that they would even sell a container of it to a customer if he or she asked.
Talk about a small world – I used to go to that same restaurant long before Jack and I met, and we’ve often wondered if our paths had crossed back then – not realizing that we would someday be married to each other! It was a great place to go – a cool and funky atmosphere, a lively crowd, and lines of people out the door waiting for their turn to eat some great Mexican food.
Whenever Jack cooks Mexican food, he draws inspiration from his days working at The Edgewater. This homemade hot sauce – which is based on the Rocket Fuel made and served there – rivals some of the best that is out on the market these days. It’s a versatile (but hot!) ingredient to have on hand when you’re preparing your own Mexican dishes such as queso, enchiladas, or chimichangas – or if you just happen to like hot sauce on your food. This sauce uses a combination of peppers and seasonings to give it some heat, as well as some fruit to lend some natural sweetness.
PrintRocket Fuel (Homemade Hot Sauce)
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: sauce
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 cup drained jalapeno slices (from a jar)
- 4 tablespoons jalapeno liquid (from the same jar of peppers)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon cilantro
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar
- 1/8 teaspoon Tabasco
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chili paste
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 ripe pear, skinned and seeded
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to a low boil and boil covered for 20 minutes.
- Once the sauce is done, puree with an immersion blender until smooth.
- At this point you can jar the finished sauce and then seal using normal canning methods, or place in your refrigerator and use within two weeks.
Notes
If you like a sweeter hot sauce, you can add an additional pear or fruit (mango, peach, etc.) before cooking.
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Loved it so much but it went fast. My subsequent batch was doubled and will be from now on!
So glad you enjoyed the sauce Kathy!
This sauce is sooo good. Making another batch today but doubling it this time. My thanks to the chefs!
You’re very welcome Kathy – so glad you enjoy the sauce!
I recently made this sauce and it is wonderful. I would like to make a larger batch and can it. You mention “seal using normal canning methods”. I presume this would be the water bath method? How long do you process? Thank you.
Hi Dave – assuming you are making a smallish bottle, a ten minute water bath should be enough. Longer if you are doing a big jar.
Very tasty. Different levels of flavoring going on. Spicy with a hint of sweetness. If you like really spicy try adding extra peppers. Great on a crunchy taco or eating alone with nacho chips.
Thanks Chrisanna – glad you enjoyed the sauce!
Do you have recommendations on how to can this sauce? Pressure? Water bath? Duration? Thanks
I’m sorry, we don’t – we aren’t canning experts so hesitate to guess.
I’m searching for “rocketfuel/healthdrinkrecipe” containing ginger and other natural ingredients
it’s good for warding off the flu/
Hi Claire – if you do a google search for Rocket Fuel Drink – several recipes come up. Hope that helps!
Martha, If I cannot make the Rocket Fuel, what can I replace it with?
Hi Maria – Any favorite hot sauce will work in our recipes that call for Rocket Sauce.
Hi! Would it be possible to use canned pears? Thanks!
Hi Annemarie – Yes – you can use canned pears. Hope you enjoy the recipe!