Chermoula Recipes

CHERMOULA

Steps:

• Pound all ingredients together in a large mortar and pestle or buzz in a food processor. You want a rough-textured paste. Note: I use all the coriander stems.
• Chermoula will keep several days in the fridge.

CHERMOULA SAUCE

Steps:

• Place salt, garlic, paprika, cumin seeds, and cayenne or dried red pepper, if using, in a mortar and grind together using a pestle. Transfer mixture to a small bowl and stir in cilantro, parsley, oil, and lemon juice. Use immediately or store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 1 day.

CHERMOULA PASTE

Steps:

• Blend all the ingredients in a food processor until you have a thick paste, adding more oil if necessary.

BLENDER CHERMOULA SAUCE

Steps:

• Toast coriander and cumin seeds in a dry small skillet, tossing occasionally, until very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Let cool, then lightly crush with a heavy skillet.
• Purée toasted seeds, garlic, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes in a blender until spices are ground and mixture is very smooth.
• Add cilantro, parsley, and mint; process until well combined but slightly textured.
• Do Ahead
• Sauce can be made 3 days ahead; chill in an airtight container.

MOROCCAN CHERMOULA MARINADE

Steps:

• The chermoula is ready to be used for marinating meats and veggies, dressing potatoes before baking, or mixing into rice, quinoa, or couscous. Enjoy.

CHERMOULA

Steps:

• Coarsely chop the cilantro and parsley. A scissors is a good tool for this; point it tip down in the measuring cup and cut the leaves. Then place them in a food processor and chop very fine, or chop on a cutting board. You should have 1 cup finely chopped herbs.
• Place the garlic and salt in a mortar and puree. Add a small handful of the chopped herbs, and gently but firmly grind until the herbs begin to dissolve. Add another handful. When all of the herbs have been mashed, work in the spices, 1/3 cup olive oil and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more olive oil or salt if desired. Serve with grilled fish and/or vegetables, or with chicken.

CHERMOULA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and let rest while you prepare the sauce.
• Put parsley, cilantro, garlic, salt, cumin, coriander and cayenne (if using) into a food processor. Pulse several times to chop up the parsley and cilantro.
• With the motor running, add in the olive oil.
• Add lemon juice, process until you have a rough paste.
• Heat the ghee or olive oil on medium high heat in a large cast iron pan.
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Pat the chicken pieces dry and add them to the pan skin side down. Let them cook until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes.
• Turn them over and cook a few minutes more.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and pour off the fat.
• Return the chicken to the pan and spread the chermoula sauce on both sides of the chicken. Save the rest of the sauce.
• Roast the chicken in the oven skin-side up, for 10 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the temperature near the bone is 165°F. If the breasts are done before the thighs remove them from the pan and cook the thighs until done.
• Serve with extra chermoula sauce on the side.

CHERMOULA SPICE

Steps:

• Mix garlic, paprika, chilli powder and ground cumin in a bowl
• drain the saffron and add to the bowl
• whisk in the olive oil, salt and pepper and the lemon zest and juice to form a smooth paste