Lizano Sauce, Costa Rica

Here's a homemade recipe to recreate Lizano sauce, which closely resembles the original Costa Rican version. This homemade sauce is gluten-free and can easily be adjusted to your liking.

Special diet: naturally gluten-free

Ingredients

500 ml of water
1 onion , finely chopped
1 carrot, cut into pieces
5 pieces of cauliflower
1/2 bell pepper, cut into pieces
1/2 cucumber, cut into pieces
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp gluten-free soy sauce (or tamari sauce)
3 tablespoons of white vinegar or cider vinegar
2 tablespoons of molasses (or brown sugar or even liquid caramel with added salt)
1 tbsp of ketchup
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1 tsp of Dijon mustard
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for a smoky flavor)

Preparation

1
Cooking the vegetables: In a saucepan, boil the water and add the onion, carrot, cauliflower, bell pepper, cucumber, and garlic. Simmer over low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
2
Blend the vegetables: Transfer the vegetables and cooking water to a blender. Blend until smooth and homogeneous.
3
To prepare the sauce: Return the vegetable puree to the pan and add the soy sauce, vinegar, molasses, ketchup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Mix well.
4
Add the spices: Add the cumin, turmeric, pepper, salt, and smoked paprika (if using). Stir well to combine the spices evenly.
5
Simmer: Simmer the sauce over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly.
6
Taste and adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a little brown sugar. For more acidity, add vinegar.
7
Chill and store: Allow the sauce to cool completely before pouring it into an airtight glass bottle or jar. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about a month.
8
Uses: This homemade Lizano sauce is perfect for seasoning dishes like Gallo Pinto , grilled meats, soups, or as a condiment at the table. You can also use it as a marinade for chicken or pork.