Mint Chimichurri Recipes

CALIFORNIA BRICK CHICKEN WITH APRICOT-MINT CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Remove the backbone from one of the chickens. Split the breast plate and press down on the chicken in all joints to flatten it. Tuck the wings under so that the chicken lies flat. This will help it cook evenly. Repeat with the second chicken.
• In a small bowl, combine the chile powders, paprika, fennel, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then rub the mixture all over the flattened chickens, making sure you get it into all the gaps in and around the joints. Marinate the chickens in the refrigerator for 1 hour uncovered. (Leaving the chicken uncovered helps the crust dry out and ensures you get a nice crispy skin when it cooks.)
• Heat a grill to medium heat and rub down the grates with a lightly oiled paper towel to clean it and create a nonstick surface. Place the chickens skin side down on the grill. Watch for flare-ups when the chicken initially hits the grill, as the fat will render and drip down. If necessary, move the chicken to a new spot out of the flames. This will occur only in the initial drop. Place foil-wrapped bricks on top of the chickens to flatten them as they cook.
• Cook for 15 minutes, then remove the bricks and flip the chicken. Cook for 18 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature between the leg and thigh joint reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
• Transfer the chickens to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing each one into 10 pieces. Serve with apricot-mint chimichurri.
• Place the apricots and honey in a glass bowl; cover with hot water and soak for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in salted, boiling water, blanch the mint, parsley, and cilantro for about 30 seconds. Shock immediately in ice water and spread on a paper towel-lined sheet to dry.
• Remove the apricots from the hot water and roughly chop. In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients except the olive oil and process until all ingredients are finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly incorporate the olive oil and pulse until just combined (the consistency should be like a thick sauce). Cover and store in the refrigerator to meld, about 10 minutes.

ROASTED LAMB WITH MINT CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Rub the lamb with 1/4 cup of the olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Arrange the lamb fat-side up on a roasting pan and roast 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees F and roast until golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted in the center of the lamb reads 130 degrees F, another 25 to 30 minutes.
• While the lamb roasts, make the chimichurri. Combine the mint, parsley, oregano, garlic, serrano and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor and blend. With the machine running, drizzle in the lime juice and remaining 1/2 cup olive oil and process just until fully combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the lamb from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the lamb will continue to cook. The temperature should read 140 degrees F. Slice the lamb against the grain and add to a platter. Top with some of the chimichurri and serve the remaining sauce alongside the meat at the table.

LAMB WITH MINT CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Combine parsley, mint, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, red chile flakes, salt and pepper. Rub half of the mixture over 2 pounds of lamb shoulder chops or chunks, and marinate overnight.
• Heat a grill or broiler with the rack 4 to 6 inches from the flame. Wipe off the marinade; grill or broil, turning once, until medium, 4 or 5 minutes per side. Serve with the remaining chimichurri.

EASY CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Combine parsley, cilantro, red wine vinegar, onion, garlic, salt, oregano, hot pepper flakes, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor; pulse a few times. Pour olive oil in slowly, while pulsing a few more times, until chimichurri is chopped, but not mushy.
• Refrigerate until flavors have blended, about 2 hours.

LAMB CHOPS WITH CILANTRO-MINT CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Chimichurri:.
• Combine the cilantro, parsley, mint, serrano chile, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey and salt into a food processor bowl and pulse into a paste. With the food processor running, gradually add the olive oil, continuing to process until the sauce is smooth, scraping down the sides of the food processor as necessary. Transfer the chimichurri to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refreigerate for up to 3 hours. *Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Lamb:.
• Prehat broiler to high and place the oven rack at its highest position.
• Season the lamb with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over high heat. Add the lamb chops and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Add the rosemary and the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the broiler and cook until the lamb is still pink in the center, about 5 minutes or so.
• Serve the chops from the oven with a spoonful of the chimichurri drizzled on top. Enjoy!

MINT CHIMICHURRI (NO CILANTRO)

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to a food processor. Pulse on low speed, increasing to a higher speed until the mint leaves are finely shredded into a pulp and the garlic has been broken down.
• Taste, and adjust seasoning as necessary, adding salt and pepper to taste.
• Enjoy this mint chimichurri sauce with grilled proteins, roasted vegetables, or tossed with cucumber pasta salad.
• Sauce should last up to 3 days in the refrigerator, sealed in an air tight container.