Shito Eggs

The fastest way to understand Shito. Two minutes, one pan, and the question we get asked more than any other is answered.

Shito is a Ghanaian chilli crisp, caramelised onion and crisp ginger suspended in oil. On a fried egg it does what a chilli crisp does, adds crunch, salt, smoke and heat all at once, but with a sweetness underneath that most chilli oils do not have.

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 to 3 teaspoons Coast of Gold Shito Pepper Sauce, Medium for most people, Hot if you know
• 2 slices of good bread, or a bowl of rice
• Sea salt
• Optional, a spring onion, sliced thin

Method

1. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium high heat until it shimmers.
2. Crack the eggs in. Leave them alone. You want the whites set and the edges lacy and browned, about two minutes.
3. Take the pan off the heat while the yolks are still soft.
4. Slide the eggs onto the bread or rice. Season with a little salt.
5. Spoon the Shito over the top, letting the oil run into the yolk. Do not stir it in. The point is the contrast.
6. Scatter the spring onion over if using. Eat immediately.

Notes

Start with a teaspoon per egg. Shito is concentrated and a little goes a long way. If you are cooking for a table with mixed tolerance, use Mild in the pan and put the Hot jar out for people to help themselves.

This works just as well on scrambled eggs, on an omelette, or stirred through the rice underneath rather than over the top.

Which heat should I use?

Medium is the one most people reach for and the right starting point. Mild if children are eating. Hot if you already know you like heat. Holy Shito, our 40g scorpion chilli jar, is too hot for this. Half a teaspoon at most, and only if you mean it.

Frequently asked questions

What is Shito?

Shito is a Ghanaian pepper sauce, a dark, smoky West African condiment built like a chilli crisp, aromatics fried in oil and suspended in it. Coast of Gold makes an award winning version in Australia, sweet, smoky and spicy, in Mild, Medium and Hot.

Can I use Shito on scrambled eggs?

Yes. Fold it through at the very end, off the heat, so the crisp bits stay crisp. About a teaspoon for two eggs.

Does Shito contain fish or shrimp?

No. Traditional Shito often contains dried fish or shrimp. Coast of Gold Shito does not. It is plant based and made with vegan Worcestershire. It does contain soy.