So all my prattling about in the kitchen had me on a North African/Mediterranean sauce making kick. Here is a lovely condiment that can be used on many dishes.
Chermoula is a bright and flavorful North African condiment used to give soups, stews, fish, chicken and grilled meats a burst of flavor and brightness.
Traditional Moroccan Chermoula Sauce
(By Tania Sheff)
(Add ingredients to a food-processor as you go)
- Chop 1 cup Fresh Parsley (Flat-leaf Italian parsley works best)
- Chop 1 cup Fresh Cilantro/Coriander
- Pour 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil. (Use good-quality olive oil for the best results and health benefits)
- Chop or press 4 cloves of Garlic (try and buy local)
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed Lemon or Lime juice (your preference ... I prefer Lime)
- 1/4 tsp salt (start with a quarter and add more to taste after processing if needed)
Let all this rest in the food processor while you roast the spices...
- 3 tsp Ground Cumin Seeds
- 1/2 tsp Ground Coriander Seeds
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
Put these three a pre-heated frypan and roast for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant, then add to everything else in the food processor. Pulse until smooth.
Optional Additions - Some flavour tweaks:
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp chopped fresh Rosemary
- one thin coin-sized slice of fresh ginger
Chermoula Sauce Serving Ideas:
- With Fish. Spread a spoonful of Chermoula Sauce on top of your favorite fish. Let it marinate for a couple of hours or overnight. Place the marinated fish on a baking dish, and bake until cooked through.
- With Prawns/Shrimp. Sauté the shrimp with olive oil for a couple of minutes. Add some Chermoula Sauce to the skillet, and cook for another minute.
- With Chicken. Pan fry or bake the chicken, and top it with fresh Chermoula.
- With Couscous. Cook the couscous according to the package instructions and stir in a spoonful of Chermoula.
- With Orzo and Feta. Cook the orzo according to the package instructions. Stir in a spoonful of Chermoula and some crumbled feta cheese.
- With Tofu. Pan fry the tofu “steak” and top it with a generous amount of Chermoula Sauce.
- With Roasted Vegetables. Roast your favorite veggies, and mix them with Chermoula.
Chermoula is a bright and flavorful North African condiment used to give soups, stews, fish, chicken and grilled meats a burst of flavor and brightness.
Traditional Moroccan Chermoula Sauce
(By Tania Sheff)
(Add ingredients to a food-processor as you go)
- Chop 1 cup Fresh Parsley (Flat-leaf Italian parsley works best)
- Chop 1 cup Fresh Cilantro/Coriander
- Pour 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil. (Use good-quality olive oil for the best results and health benefits)
- Chop or press 4 cloves of Garlic (try and buy local)
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed Lemon or Lime juice (your preference ... I prefer Lime)
- 1/4 tsp salt (start with a quarter and add more to taste after processing if needed)
Let all this rest in the food processor while you roast the spices...
- 3 tsp Ground Cumin Seeds
- 1/2 tsp Ground Coriander Seeds
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
Put these three a pre-heated frypan and roast for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant, then add to everything else in the food processor. Pulse until smooth.
Optional Additions - Some flavour tweaks:
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp chopped fresh Rosemary
- one thin coin-sized slice of fresh ginger
Chermoula Sauce Serving Ideas:
- With Fish. Spread a spoonful of Chermoula Sauce on top of your favorite fish. Let it marinate for a couple of hours or overnight. Place the marinated fish on a baking dish, and bake until cooked through.
- With Prawns/Shrimp. Sauté the shrimp with olive oil for a couple of minutes. Add some Chermoula Sauce to the skillet, and cook for another minute.
- With Chicken. Pan fry or bake the chicken, and top it with fresh Chermoula.
- With Couscous. Cook the couscous according to the package instructions and stir in a spoonful of Chermoula.
- With Orzo and Feta. Cook the orzo according to the package instructions. Stir in a spoonful of Chermoula and some crumbled feta cheese.
- With Tofu. Pan fry the tofu “steak” and top it with a generous amount of Chermoula Sauce.
- With Roasted Vegetables. Roast your favorite veggies, and mix them with Chermoula.
