Homemade Peri-Peri Sauce (Nando's Copycat)

Ingredients:

1 large yellow/red onion

2 large red bell pepper

8 cloves garlic

6 Thai bird red chilies (more for spiciness)

1 lemon juice & zest ~ divide

1/3 cup white vinegar

4 tsp smoked paprika

3/4 tsp dried oregano

3/4 tsp ground white pepper

1 tbsp light brown sugar

1 tbsp salt

1-1/2 tbsp whisky (optional)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions/Instructions:

1. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a food processor and process till a smooth paste.
2. Pour the marinade into a saucepan, then add brown, bay leaves, and whiskey (optional).  Increase the heat to medium-high and bring it to a boil.  Reduce to low, remove the bay leaf, and let it simmer for about 20 mins.
3. Transfer the sauce to the blender, adding 1 tbsp lemon juice or water to loosen.  Add salt to taste and honey for sweetness.
4. Stream the vegetable oil while constantly blending. To make the sauce darker and match Nando's, add a little extra paprika or Thai chili for spiciness.
5. Add an additional three cloves of garlic. Blend until it's as fine as possible. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a mixing bowl over a nice bath of cool, iced water. Season with salt to taste. Store in the fridge in an airtight bottle.