Small Bowl of Aji Verde Sauce
(click to enlarge)

Aji Verde Sauce / Dip


Peru   -   Aji Verde
Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 2 cups
**
45 min
Yes		 A very popular sauce in Peru, used particularly on grilled meats but on just about anything else too. See also Options.

3
2
1/3
2
2
1/2
1
1
1
1/4

cl
c
c

c
T
T
t
t
Jalapeños (1)
Garlic  
Queso Cotija (2)
Cilantro
Scallions
Mayonnaise (3)
Olive Oil
Lime Juice
Salt
Pepper
Make   -   (45 min)
  1. Cap and core JALPEÑOS, but leave veins in for some heat. Chop medium.
  2. Crush GARLIC and chop fine.
  3. Crumble QUESO COTIJA small.
  4. Strip CILANTRO leaves and tender stems. Measure is whole and moderately packed. That's a lot of Cilantro, but ethnic markets have big bunches at an attractive price.
  5. Put all ingredients in a blender (or Mixie) and run to a smooth sauce. A food processor won't get it as fine as the Mixie did, but that's OK too. Use one or two Tablespoons of water if you have to, but no more than that.
  6. Packed in a tightly sealed jar and refrigerated, it will last for at least a week.
NOTES:

  1. Jalapeños

      In Peru, Aji Amarillo Chilis would likely be used, but are not much available in North America. Jalapeños are of similar hotness, but Serranos could also be used (hotter). If you are chili adverse, use 2 Jalapeños. For details see our South American Chilis page.

  2. Queso Cotija:

      I am not sure what cheese they use for this in Peru, but a grateable or crumbly cheese. Recipes in English usually call for Cotija, an aged cheese that's quite crumbly, available in stores serving a Mexican community. The usual substitute is Parmesan, but some allow Queso Fresco. For details see our Mexican Cheeses page.

  3. Mayonnaise:

      This is an important ingredient so should be high quality, such as Best Foods Real Mayonnaise (branded Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise east of the Mississippi).

  4. Options:

      Some recipes call for 2 teaspoons Huacatay Paste and/or 1 Tablespoon Aji Amarillo Paste. For the photo example I included a couple leaf stems of fresh Huacatay leaves. I planted a few Huacatay seeds a year ago, so now I have Huacatay growing everywhere. Some sources say that in Peru Huacatay would be used as the main herb instead of Cilantro. For details see our Huacatay page, and our Aji Amarillo page.
  5. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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