A really great talent finds its happiness in execution.
~ Goethe
Good day folks! Here it is, as promised, the brightest, greenest, freshest sauce to hit our fridge (that won’t go brown) in a long long while!
I should start by stating that I could eat foods inspired by Mexican flavors everyday without any issue (really, at all).
I mean, really, this food is made with quite possibly the simplest, freshest, and most flavorful ingredients out there – not to mention being outright cheap and easy to obtain and prepare.
I’ve yet to meet a person who disagrees with me on this either – and I think I’d be challenged to based on the general love I see for all things taco related online and elsewhere (delicious food truck anyone?).
Let’s just say: LOVE.
Yes, there it is – for veggies and meat eaters alike to vegans and gluten free folk. There is something for everyone here….most all an abundance of fresh flavor that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy!
Let’s go through the list when it comes to the amazing flavors that have permeated our house these days:
Limes: easy to find and cheap. Cilantro: easy to find (and grow) and cheap. Green onions: same.
The rest? A little goes a long way here: a few nuts (which could easily become dairy too if preferred), a little oil, water and salt (and don’t forget to add a little kale of course!) – and you are set!
A gorgeous any-day meal inspiration to top just about anything.
This sauce is part of a trio of sauces I have been playing with – so far this version has gotten the most play simply for the ease of ingredients, and the fresh color and flavor.
I’ll be posting the other sauces too, but let’s get started with the basics!
The Less:
Less store bought cooked and pasteurized sauces means more freshness to enhance your favorite foods. Less salt, sugar, and other additives means less stress and more rest for your hard working cells. Less wondering what to put on your food makes less work of enjoying whatever (just happens) to be on hand.
The More:
More fresh greens in your everyday repertoire means more of the good stuff without trying. More lively citrus juice means more zip and flavor without sacrifice. More homemade raw goodness makes more (of any) foods come alive. More lively food means more lively meals, which can lead to more liveliness at the dinner table and who knows just where else?
Lively Cilantro Jalapeno Sauce:
- (3/4) cup raw whole cashews or pieces
- (1) whole bunch cilantro, stems removed (yup – the entire bunch!)
- (1) fresh jalapeno pepper
- (1/2) bunch green onion (tops only – about 1/3-1/2 cup, no need to chop!)
- (1-2) leaves green curly kale
- (4) tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
- (1) cup water
- (2) tbsp canola or vegetable oil
- (1) tsp good sea salt
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high. Keep things moving with a spatula if you like, and let it go until it is well blended and super duper bright green!
Use the whole jalapeno if you don’t mind a little kick, otherwise feel free to remove the seeds first if you prefer a milder flavor.
There you have it – pour into a jar and keep sealed in the fridge. This will last at least a week in the fridge – see how long it lasts you!
This sauce works brilliantly (as you can imagine) smothered on a freshly warmed corn tortilla and topped with any range of beans, chopped veggies, with or without meat or cheese. It also works to top any kind of veggie burger and is delicious on the Quinoa Protein Bites posted here!
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Here it is with a few Ancho Chiles blended in..
The beauty and simplicity within each of the ingredients in this recipe remind me that good food is always just a step away and needn’t be complicated to be prepared well, or enjoyed.
On a personal note, I am so enjoying the comments and feedback from all of you this week – particularly the notes on your favorite childhood snacks – it’s so fun to be taken back for just a moment to what we ate in the good old days!
Thanks to all of you for taking part – I hope you are enjoying the week!
- Are you a giant fan of Mexican inspired foods?
- What are your favorite cheap and easy meals?
Feel free to share your lively thoughts below – and enjoy this one!
Yours in Less,
Great recipe…cilantro is my favourite herb! I will have to try this out for sure
I hope you like it! It’s been a staple around here lately
!
Yum, yum, YUM!!! I am SO making this for LM tomorrow night (to have on top of the BBQ’d man-food) Can’t wait to try this and see how it measures up against the kale pesto (I am currently working my way through the second batch and have kept this one away from the neighbours!) Loving the IPOM recipes.
Oh – and our favourite cheap and easy meal, colloquially known as ‘sluts’ at our house, more popularly known as pasta puttanesca. Onion, garlic, zucchini (all chopped fine), chilli flakes, can of chopped tommies, capers, anchovies, black olives and parsley cooked up and served over pasta. Easy-peasey lemon-squeazey! Double
Oh wow – that is an inspiring sounding meal…I love it! Might just give that one a go, I love a salty puttanesca – yum!
This recipe is a perfect man-food compliment – will be perfect for barbeque! So glad you are LOVING the pesto!!
Wow – this looks gorgeous. I love Mexican foods (all of my quick/easy/cheap meals fall into that category) and love foods with a kick.
Cilantro is my favorite herb, and I love all cuisines that use it—Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, all of them! Can’t wait to make this.
Oh me too….I had so much fun throwing the entire bunch in when making this this recipe! There is something about this herb that makes me just feel happy – you too?
Yes! Completely happy! It’s like green sunshine…does that even make sense? There’s such a brightness to the flavor! I really can’t understand those who do not like it.
Viva cilantro!
Your pics stopped me in my tracks! I love the colors. They really pop! I’ll have to try this recipe. It looks like perfect springtime-summertime snack on the terrace. Ah, but what to do about the cilantro? My husband is allergic to it. It tastes like soap, he says. He has a super sensitive palate. Sigh! Will it be missed? Any substitutions? Thanks, Shira! Theadora
what about basil?it would be like a pesto, but with the jalapeño kick…
Hi Theodora – your poor husband! Many who aren’t fans of cilantro have the same complaint (re:the soap!), you could sub parsley too – that would be very fresh tasting and full of green and vitamins too!
wonderful recipe… I would never have thought of adding nuts to this particular sauce… I’m thinking of giving it a try with toasted peanuts and maybe toasted sesame seeds, instead of the cashews… I’ll let you know!
Please do – let the creativity out – keep us all posted! Thanks!
Oh such lovely, yummy, fresh ingredients, perfectly reflected in your photos! Lime and cilantro…the best. PS love Mexican food!
Mexican is perfect! Thanks Ann!
I looove things with a bit of heat and cilantro is a fav too. This looks mighty tasty Shira! Hope you are having a lovely Wednesday!
Thanks Gabby! It’s starting out a-okay – thanks to a few good cups of coffee! Try this one on the quinoa bites…so good! It keeps too which is a bonus! Hope you are good too !
what a gorgeous line-up of ingredients! sounds delightful!
Thanks!
Hope you are well up in Alaska!
Yum, yum, yum, yum, YUMMY!
I think you think this will be good
?! Actually it would be AWESOME on your pancrepes…everything is better with friends!
Totally!
I have been waiting for this! I LOVE the color. I’m looking forward to drizzling it on my tacos!
Oh it’ll be worth the wait…our new favorite. Tacos all week here, so funny!
I like making cilantro pesto with whole cilantro (roots and all), lime juice and zest, walnuts and a little red onion. Garlic and cheese optional. One of my favorite quick meals is a pasta with broccoli and feta cheese, which you will find here: http://thekalechronicles.com/2011/10/26/broccoli-feta-basil-pasta-an-easy-one-bowl-supper/
Thanks! Your recipe reads delicious
Enjoying your approach to food and cooking very much..
You’ve successfully made me HUNGRY! And I love the Goethe quote. I’m going to write it down – good for some day to day inspration! Thanks!
Thanks Marina – nice to see you while you are traveling (if you still are!) – hope you are well – and yes, this recipe keeps super well and is to die for! Happy Monday!
I am! In Venice right now – in Cali. The sun has just set, as I look out of my hotel window. I love Cali. Being by the ocean is just amazing. Happy Monday to you too!
Gorgeous! Sounds wonderful – enjoy!
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