In our #homegrown series, Ipshita Sharma checks out Danny Kwang and his incredibly well-loved hot sauces including the cult favourite No 9.
I love hot sauces! Whenever I travel, I make it a point to look up the local peppers and find out what they use to flavour their foods. I have dipping sauces from around the world! I do have a slight bias towards the bhut jolokia or the ghost pepper chilli from India but the scotch bonnet comes a close second. And when I heard Dubai locals raving about a locally-made scotch bonnet-based sauce, I knew I had to give it a try.
DK’s hot sauces are inspired by Danny’s Trinidadian background and come for his love for flavour and food. His sauces don’t come in guns blazing, they come along to tempt the palate, fire a few well-aimed shots and then leave with a lingering burst of flavour. (I’m drooling as I write this!)
It all started with the no9 Hot Pepper Boomer. This sauce is just right. Not too spicy but can give you quite a kick if you use more than the recommended amount! A slow heat that slowly lulls you into comfort and then gives you just the right bang of spice, this is the ultimate all rounder.
Then there’s no3 Citrus Banger. This is such a perfect little sauce. Just slightly fiery with a lemony zing bursting through — this has become my go-to salad dressing. I may need for this to be bottled in half liter bottles!
Then comes the no1 Double Bubble, while not hot enough for me, this is the hottest of DK’s sauces and the flavour is just spot on. Try it with oven-baked sweet potato fries for a party in your mouth!
Finally comes the DK Dry Jerk Rub, that just brings the Caribbean to you. Try it as a special melange of flavours in your roasted veg or meats. Use it as a marinade and weirdly I think it would also be great as a base flavoring for a spiced cake.
There’s a lot bubbling up under Danny’s hat so we had to pepper this review with a few words from the sauce maestro himself–
Tell us more about how you want us to spice up our lives?
There are many ways to spice up your lives, however the BEST way is to try my DK Hot Sauces. I’ve been perfecting these sauces over the last year, trying different recipes and using a multitude of people as guinea pigs. I was inspired by two women here in Dubai who make the most fabulous hot sauces; Ambika Rajgopal (Haute Sauce DXB) & Melody Mok (Curious Elephant).
Initially I just wanted to make a good Caribbean sauce for myself, as part of my heritage is from Trinidad. During the process, I thought why not try and create 2 sauces that I could share with friends. I wanted to bring the flavours and essence of the Caribbean to Dubai but also create something that is unique, flavoursome and accessible. What better way to spice up your life, than through your daily dishes.
What do you think is the best pairing for each of your sauces?
The No.9 Hot Pepper Boomer is the original sauce, the foundation of the range and the most versatile. I have hot sauce on almost everything so I wanted the sauce to do the same. Poached eggs on toast or any morning egg dish, grilled cheese sandwiches, salads, roasted chicken thighs, fresh soups, pretty much everything…
The No.3 Citrus Banger was the second sauce to be created. I love citrus flavours so I wanted to combine heat with the sharpness of lemon & lime. No.3 is perfect with fish tacos, grilled shrimps, marinade your chicken wings and roast in the oven, roasted vegetables or drizzle over a salad.
The No.1 Double Bubble is for those that like extra heat. Using the same recipe as No.9 but with more of a kick. I use this with chilli con carne, noodle soups or hangover eggs for a real pick me up in the morning. I also like to mix it with ketchup and use it on burgers & hot dogs.
The DK Jerk Rub is true Caribbean flavour through and through. It takes approximately 10 hours to dehydrate the peppers to make scotch bonnet powder. Marinade chicken thighs or wings but make sure you jerk them first (stab holes in the meat to let the flavours soak in) and then rub with a little oil and work it into the meat. Let them sit overnight and roast the next day for a dark, crispy, Caribbean coating with a decent punch. The rub also works well with cod, salmon and pork or with veg.
Always remember, there are no rules, just be creative and enjoy with whatever dishes you love.
If your sauces were a superstar, who would they be?
No.9 Hot Pepper Boomer – Prince. There is no one on the planet that is as cool, original and smooth as him.
No.3 Citrus Banger – Beyonce. She’s hot, tasty, fierce and fresh…..and everyone loves her.
No.1 Double Bubble – Mike Tyson. The OG that packs a proper punch.
Other than love, what else goes into your sauces?
All of our sauces use natural ingredients and are vegan through and through. I want the flavours to be as fresh as possible and want to steer well clear of nasty additives and preservatives. Food tastes so much better when you use natural ingredients and we need to be health conscious, now more than ever.
Scotch bonnets, carrot, onion, garlic, yellow peppers, vinegar, salt, chilli flakes, water. Add some lemon & lime zest & juice for the Citrus Banger. Simple and effective.
If you were a sauce, what flavour would you be?
Difficult one this. It’s either gonna be a true Trini Hot Pepper Sauce or HP. Both are distinct, unique and kick ass!
DK’s hot sauces are available through orders on Instagram trig @dkhotsauce and their prices are as below:
No.9 Hot Pepper Boomer – 25 Aed
No.3 Citrus Banger – 25 Aed
No.1 Double Bubble – 30 Aed
Jerk Rub – 20 Aed
To encourage recycling, return your bottles and get 10% off your next order.
Good: These hot sauces are not just spicy, they are so flavourful and leave you tingling for more!
Bad: None of these are spicy enough for me! (But Danny promises me there’s more flavours coming up!).
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