Our new love of North African flavors has led us to discover a unique blend of spices and ingredients.  This Spicy Green Sauce from City Kitchen,called chermoula offers just that.  A slightly spicy pesto-like sauce that infuses the heat of serrano peppers, with the very bright and green flavors of lots of fresh cilantro and scallions, and finishes with a hint of tart lemon zest.  We paired this sauce initially with our North African Chicken, but are certain it would be delicious with fish, beef, or lamb.

Spicy Green Sauce

 

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A slightly spicy pesto-like sauce that infuses the heat of serrano peppers, with the very bright and green flavors of lots of fresh cilantro and scallions, and finishes with a hint of tart lemon zest.

Author: City Kitchen

Recipe type: Sauce

Cuisine: North African

Ingredients

• 1 preserved lemon (available at Middle Eastern groceries) or the grated zest of 1 lemon
• Salt to taste
• 1 garlic clove, smashed with a little salt to form a paste
• 1 or 2 serrano or jalapeño chiles, very finely chopped (use less for a milder sauce)
• 1 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems
• ⅓ cup olive oil, more to taste
• 3 scallions, finely chopped.

Instructions

1. Remove preserved lemon from its brine and rinse well in cold water. Chop the peel into approximately 1/16-inch cubes (reserve pulp for another purpose). Rinse the cubes, drain and reserve.
2. In a small bowl, mix the garlic paste, chiles and cilantro. (Grind these in a blender or food processor if you wish, but it is nice to have some of the cilantro hand-chopped.)
3. Stir in the olive oil, scallions and diced lemon peel or zest. Taste and add a small amount of salt or more oil if necessary. The sauce tastes best freshly made.

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