Top Chef ™
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Ecuadorian Aji Casero

Ecuadorian aji casero is a vibrant, freshly prepared hot sauce that's a staple condiment in Ecuador's cuisine. This zesty sauce combines the heat of fresh hot peppers (typically tree chilis or aji criollo) with the brightness of lime juice, the crunch of finely diced red onions, and the freshness of cilantro.
To make aji casero, the peppers are minced and combined with diced onions, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and a splash of water.
Some versions incorporate tomatoes or even a touch of orange juice for sweetness. The ingredients are mixed together and allowed to sit briefly, letting the flavors meld. This versatile sauce brightens everything from empanadas and llapingachos to soups and grilled meats.
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About Top Chef ™
Top Chef ™ is an American reality competition television series which has run since March 2006. The show features professional chefs competing against each other in culinary challenges.
The Top Chef ™ chef-contestants are judged by a counsel of exemplary, world-renowned professional chefs and famous names from the food and wine industry.
The contestants are superb, professional chefs with a huge array of global food skills.
The show is progressive, eliminating one or two chefs each week. Each episode follows a consistent theme with (usually) a Quickfire challenge (short and fun) followed by a more difficult "Elimination Challenge" that is much more intense. The Top Chef ™ Judges Table is where the winners and losers are determined each week.