Aji Verde Sauce For Peruvian Chicken Food

PERUVIAN GREEN SAUCE

Steps:

• Saute the onion in a small skillet with 1 teaspoon of the oil until soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer to the blender then add the remaining oil, mayo, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper.
• Then add the chopped jalapeno, cilantro and garlic and blend on high speed until the sauce is smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds.

AJI VERDE (SPICY PERUVIAN GREEN SAUCE)

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender, combine all of the ingredients. Blend until the cilantro has broken into very tiny pieces and the sauce is green and mostly smooth (no matter how long you blend it, it will still have some texture to it).
• Taste, and adjust if necessary. This sauce is intentionally bold and spicy and I usually think it's just right as written. However, if the flavor is too overwhelming, blend in 1 tablespoon of olive oil while running the food processor. If it's not spicy enough, add some of the reserved jalapeño seeds and blend again. If it doesn't have enough zip, add another tablespoon of lime juice and/or a pinch of salt.
• Aji verde keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for about 1 week.

AJI VERDE (PERUVIAN GREEN CHILI SAUCE)

Steps:

• Some recipes call for cilantro leaves only, but I threw in the stems as well to add some liquid to the sauce. I know cilantro is an acquired taste, so substitute with iceberg or romaine lettuce if you want a neutral taste but want to retain the green color.
• Halve and de-seed the chili peppers. Make sure you wear gloves or thoroughly wash your hands afterward. And don't rub your eyes!
• Puree all the ingredients in a blender, food processor, or hand immersion blender. It's like making pesto, start with the basic portions and adjust according to your taste. What worked for me was roughly those amounts. Add mayonnaise for creaminess. You can add water too if the sauce appears too thick. I've seen some recipes that called for white cheese or nuts, but felt those were too strong in taste since the versions of aji sauce that I've liked were light in flavor, with just an undertone of spiciness.
• Serve with bread for dipping.

PERUVIAN ROAST CHICKEN WITH AJI VERDE

Steps:

• Chicken:.
• Preheat the oven to 425*F.
• Remove 5 cloves from the head of garlic, then halve the remaining head horizontally.
• Season the chicken cavity with salt and pepper to taste, then stuff with the halved garlic. Smash the garlic cloves, sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt, and with the side of a large knife, mash and smear with the mixture to a coarse paste. Put the garlic in a bowl and mix with the vinegar, 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, and cumin. Rub the garlic mixture on the outside of the chicken.
• Whisk the soy sauce and sugar together and brush all over the outside of the bird. Tuck the wings under the back, cross the legs, tie them with kitchen twine. Set a v-rack or regular rack in a roasting pan and brush with the oil.
• Place the chicken breast side down on the rack and roast until the back is golden brown, about 35-40 minutes. Remove the pan from oven and turn the chicken breast side up. Cut the string where it holds the legs together and gently open up the legs a bit. Baste the chicken with the pan drippings and roast again until the breast is golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 170*F., 20-25 more minutes.
• Move the chicken to a carving board and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
• To make the Aji Verde sauce:.
• Puree the cilantro, cheese, olive oil, water, jalapenos, garlic, vinegar, and salt in a blender or food processor until smooth. Carve the chicken and serve drizzled with the sauce. Enjoy!

AJI VERDE SAUCE (FOR PERUVIAN CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Place cilantro, cojita cheese, olive oil, water, jalapenos, garlic, vinegar, and salt in a blender and puree until smooth.
• Serve with roasted chicken.