Basil Chumichurri Sauce
The great thing about having friends who love food as much as I do is that I can email or message them for advice and they can instantly inspire me (and sometimes save the day). I was chatting with Maris about needing something more for a dish I was working on (more on that on Monday) when she suggested that I make chimichurri to go with it. Ding, ding, ding!
Since I had a lovely bunch of fresh basil waiting to be used, it was only natural that I adapt the sauce to focus on this summery herb. Basil. Garlic. Olive oil. Red wine vinegar. Seasonings. You won’t ever mistake this sauce for pesto — it’s a whole different fresh and tangy take on basil.
Making chimichurri sauce is so incredibly easy. You just stuff everything into a mini food processor, whirl it around and it’s done and ready to use. This sauce is great with steak, chicken or even on rice with grilled onions, which is how I ate it. And it was good. So good. This would also be fantastic drizzled on fresh mozzarella and tomatoes as a different take on caprese salad.
What have you been making with basil lately?
Basil Chimichurri
serves 8
adapted from Simply Recipes’ recipe for traditional chimichurri
1 cup finely packed fresh basil leaves
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor (a mini food processor works great) and process until the basil pieces are small and even.
Drizzle on chicken, steak or whatever you like.
Category: Quick and Easy Recipes, Recipes, sauce
It’s hard being so awesome and brilliant, but someone has to do it. Hehe.
Looks fantastic, glad all turned out well!
Maris Callahan (In Good Taste) recently posted..Meatless Monday: Vegan Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes
LOL, don’t forget modest too!
I’m using basil on our pizza tonight!
Amazing basil sauce! I have started growing basil plants last month and was looking for great ways to use it, and this is awesome to try.. Thanks so much for this!
I just got a whole big bunch of basil in my CSA box. I think I’ll try this!
Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger) recently posted..Apple Tart
Rivki, I also have a killer recipe for Basil White Bean Dip on the site. It’s one of my favorite summer things. Let me know if you want me to dig up the URL.
I already made this at home this week – delicious and it was so great in the midst of the summer. Thanks!