Zhoug – Everyone’s Favorite Spicy Cilantro Sauce

Appetizers, Sides, Soups and Salads Middle East

September 13, 2019

Zhoug, pronounced “zoog,” is a bright, spicy cilantro sauce that is widely popular across the Middle East. Highly versatile, it’s perfect to be drizzled on hummus, yogurt, eggs, roasted veggies, or even used as a salad dressing!
Recipe from our friend Sylvia Wakana

Prep: 40 mins

Directions

1Place the garlic in a food processor and process until the garlic has broken into small pieces

2Add the cilantro, jalapeno, salt, cardamom, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Process until the mixture is all mixed together and very finely chopped

3Put in the olive oil, scrape down the sides, and blend until the sauce is mostly smooth

4Feel free to adjust to taste. For a spicier sauce, add jalapeno seeds or more red pepper flakes. If it’s too bitter, add more salt or give the flavors some time to mellow. The sauce’s flavor transforms over time so if it’s too spicy or strong, let it sit in the fridge for an hour or two before testing the taste again.

Ingredients

4 medium cloves garlic (roughly chopped)

2 packed cups of fresh cilantro (approximately 2 bunches, mostly leaves)

4 medium jalapenos, seeds removed

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

¾ teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

¾ cup olive oil

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