Peruvian Green Sauce Aji Verde (Printable)
A creamy, spicy Peruvian condiment blending fresh herbs, chili peppers, lime, and dairy for a versatile topping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fresh Produce
01 - 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
02 - 2 green onions, roughly chopped
03 - 1-2 fresh jalapeño or aji amarillo peppers, seeded and chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
→ Dairy and Pantry
06 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
07 - 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
08 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon white vinegar
11 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Place cilantro leaves, green onions, chili peppers, and garlic cloves into a blender or food processor.
02 - Add lime juice, mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, white vinegar, kosher salt, and black pepper to the blender.
03 - Process on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the blender as needed.
04 - Taste the sauce and adjust salt, pepper, or chili heat level to your preference.
05 - Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It takes exactly ten minutes and transforms anything on your plate into something you cannot stop eating.
- The balance of creamy, tangy, and fiery is the kind of flavor that makes guests ask what is in this and then not believe you when you tell them.
02 -
- The sauce will taste significantly spicier right after blending than it does after chilling, so do not panic and add more peppers before it has rested.
- Aji amarillo paste is sold in jars at most Latin markets and using it instead of jalapenos changes the entire dish from good to hauntingly authentic.
03 -
- Use the stems of the cilantro along with the leaves because they pack even more flavor and blend completely smooth.
- Letting the sauce sit overnight transforms it from good to addictive as the garlic mellows and every ingredient marries together.