Zhoug: The green sauce adding spice to everyday dishes
It spices up a dull salad, pairs wonderfully with meats, and is loved by many as a sandwich addition. This unassuming green sauce will quickly capture the hearts of those who enjoy spicy flavours.
At first glance, it resembles the well-known basil pesto, but eagerly scooping up a spoonful for a taste might be a surprising experience. This spicy, cold sauce definitely adds oomph. Used in moderation, it enhances the taste of a dull salad, bringing a touch of exotic flavour to your daily menu. It's a delicious alternative to Sriracha sauce.
Spicy green zhoug sauce
Not everything green is tasteless, and this recipe is the best proof of that. From Yemen comes the spicy zhoug sauce, which has garnered appreciation worldwide. It's a paste made from green chilli peppers, fresh herbs such as cilantro and parsley, and aromatic spices like cumin and cardamom. The sauce's consistency can vary from a thick paste to a more liquid sauce, depending on your preference.
Traditionally, zhoug was prepared by grinding the ingredients between two stones, but you can easily make it with a blender. It pairs well with hummus, roasted meats, or sandwiches; when mixed with natural yogurt, it becomes a delicious sandwich dressing.
Ingredients:
- A bunch of cilantro
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 3 green jalapeño peppers
- Half a teaspoon of dried chilli
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of cumin
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of sugar
Preparation method:
- Place all ingredients except the olive oil in a blender and blend until smooth. Remove the seeds from the peppers before blending if you don’t want the sauce to be very spicy.
- Gradually add olive oil until you reach the desired consistency.
The finished sauce has an intense flavour, so it's best served in moderation. You can also reduce the spiciness by including one sweet green pepper for balance. Remember to remove the seeds and core. Enjoy!
