Zhug Spicy Garlic Spread Recipes

ZHUG

Steps:

• Wash and dry the parsley and cilantro.
• Combine parsley, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice and zest, chiles, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, ice, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a food processor fitted with a blade. Blend until a smooth paste is achieved, adding more oil as necessary.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.

AUTHENTIC ZHOUG SAUCE RECIPE (ZHUG)

Steps:

• over med-low heat until fragrant. Note: If using cardamom pods- crush the pods and remove the seeds- just toast the seeds. (Video is not accurate here.) Let cool slightly.
• Place the toasted spices and all the remaining ingredients (except the oil) in a food processor and pulse until it's uniformly chopped. Add oil and lemon juice and pulse into a coarse paste. For a looser version, add a bit more oil.
• Taste for salt and heat, adding more if necessary.
• Add chili flakes if you like.
• Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to one week.

SCHUG

Steps:

• Carefully stem and seed the jalapeño peppers. Wear gloves for this if possible; the peppers will leave a layer of capsaicin on your skin for 24-48 hours that can really make you miserable (your skin will feel burny and if you touch your eyes, they will burn badly). Best to wear gloves and avoid this misery! Discard the seeds and white pith, unless you REALLY love spicy flavors... then, reserve a few. I doubt you'll need them though.
• Remove the seeds from the cardamon pods and discard the green pods. If you don't have pods, substitute a heaping 1/4 tsp cardamom powder.
• Add the parsley to your food processor and roughly chop, then add the cilantro and roughly chop. Make sure it's rough, you don't want an herb puree here... bits, pieces and stems are fine at this point.
• Place the jalapeños, garlic, salt, cardamom seeds (or powder), caraway seeds, cumin, pepper and olive oil into the food processor.
• Pulse the mixture, scraping the sides periodically, until the whole thing begins to resemble a pesto-like consistency-- not super smooth, a little texture is good.Taste the mixture. Careful, it's hot! Add more salt to taste if needed (salt really makes the spicy flavors pop). If you want it hotter, you can blend in some additional jalapeño seeds. But seriously, it's plenty hot without the seeds. Add more olive oil for taste and texture, if desired.
• Keep it in a sealed jar or tupperware in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Check by smelling to ensure freshness. I don't recommend keeping longer than a week. Schug does freeze and defrost well; I often make a big batch and freeze in smaller 1/2 cup portions, which we thaw as needed.

ZHOUG! (SPICY CILANTRO SAUCE)

Steps:

• Place the garlic in your food processor and process until the garlic is broken into tiny pieces.
• Add the cilantro, jalapeño (keep the seeds in case you want to make the sauce more spicy after tasting), salt, cardamom, cumin and red pepper flakes. Process until the mixture is all mixed together and very finely chopped.
• While running the food processor, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Scrape down the sides and blend until the sauce is mostly smooth.
• Adjust to taste-for a spicier sauce, add the jalapeño seeds or additional red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon at a time) and blend again. Too bitter? You can add more salt or give the flavors some time to mellow. This sauce's flavor transforms with time, so if it's too spicy or you just don't love it right off the bat, let it chill in the fridge and try it again in an hour.

ZHOUG: SPICY CILANTRO PESTO RECIPE

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade, add the jalapeno, garlic and salt. Coarsely chop.
• Now add cilantro, parsley and spices. Run processor until a finer thick paste forms.
• Transfer the cilantro paste to a bowl. Add the olive oil and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Enjoy!

ZHOUG (SPICY HERB SAUCE)

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until very smooth. You should have a bright green emulsified sauce. Use immediately or cover and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

SPICY OLIVE SPREAD

Steps:

• Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, black pepper and Tabasco in food processor or by hand.
• When smooth add remaining ingredients.
• Pulse if using processor.
• DO NOT OVERPROCESS!
• The olives and pecans should still be identifiable.
• Refrigerate till ready to use.

ZHUG CHICKEN

Steps:

• Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons zhug sauce over each piece of chicken. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Remove from fridge about 30 minutes before cooking so chicken is at room temperature.
• Remover the outer leaves from artichokes to expose the core leaves and hearts. Cut artichokes into quarters. Put them into a bowl, cover with water, and add lemon juice. Mix artichokes around and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place marinated chicken into a deep baking dish. Drain artichokes and add them around the chicken, pushing them down to keep them from being exposed and drying out. Top with olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
• Bake, uncovered, until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 45 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

ZHUG

Steps:

• Place garlic, jalapeño and lemon juice in a food processor or blender, and pulse to combine, stopping to scrape down the sides of the container with a spatula when necessary.
• Add cilantro, cumin, cardamom or coriander, and pepper, and purée until smooth. With the motor running, gradually drizzle in the olive oil to form a homogeneous paste. Pulse in salt. Taste, and add more salt and lemon juice if needed.
• Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Use as a sauce for grilled or roasted meat or seafood, especially full-flavored fish like mackerel, tuna and salmon; spoon it over egg dishes like shakshuka and scrambled eggs; stir it into soups and stews; spread it on sandwiches, especially those filled with falafel, roasted vegetables, or mozzarella and tomato; swirl it into thick yogurt or hummus for a dip.

ZHUG / SPICY GARLIC SPREAD

Steps:

• Grind and blend all ingredients into a paste.
• Keeps for quite a while in a tightly closed jar with a layer of oil spread over the top.