Cilantro Pesto

There are many different ways of making cilantro pesto. Some call for hot peppers or cheese and some don't. They are all simple to make and tasty.
This pesto is great served over pasta or with chicken or shrimp.

You will need a food processor or blender.

Ingredients:

2 cups tightly packed Cilantro leaves
1 to 2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 heaping cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons lime juice(juice of 1 lime)
1/2 cup olive oil

Combine the cilantro, garlic cloves,Parmesan cheese, and lime juice in the container of food processor or blender.
Put on the cover, but leave the chute open or the middle of lid off.
Turn on the food processor and slowly add the olive oil through the opening.
Run the food processor until everything is well incorporated.

Remove to a bowl and serve. Makes 1 to 2 cups cilantro pesto.

Enjoy!

One bunch will give you about 3/4 cup tightly packed cilantro leaves.

Cilantro Sauce

This is a great sauce for meat or any kind of kebab. It has so much flavor. It is also sometimes referred to as coriander sauce, but coriander is the seed of the cilantro plant. This sauce is made with cilantro leaves so I call it cilantro sauce.
It tastes great room temperature or cold.

You will need a blender or food processor.

Ingredients:

1 cup of stemmed loosely packed cilantro leaves( If you buy it, 1 bunch should do)
3 cloves of peeled garlic( In a pinch, 3 teaspoons garlic powder will work)
1 hot pepper like jalapeno or serrano, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/3 cup lemon juice OR white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 to 4 Tablespoons water

Stick the cilantro, garlic, pepper, walnuts, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and cumin into the bowl of blender or food processor.
Turn it on and get the mixture as much into a paste as you can.
You probably won't get it completely smooth and you may need to stop and scrape the sides a few times.
Take the mixture out and put into a jar and add a couple tablespoons water. Stir well. If it is the thickness you want, good. If you want it a bit more pourable, add another tablespoon or two.
Taste and season with more salt if needed.

This is very intensely flavored! So much that it may surprise you.
You might call it tart.

This makes about a cup.

Serve within 4 hours of making and refrigerate any leftovers.

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Last year's C- Chocolate Syrup

Lime Cilantro Marinade

This is a great marinade for beef, pork shrimp, or chicken.

If you use this for seafood, you don't need to marinate for more than an hour or two.

For chicken or beef marinate for at least 2 hours and maybe even overnight.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup lime juice

2 cloves garlic, crushed

3 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

1 Jalapeño or Serrano pepper, seeded and minced

2-3 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

In a bowl or glass measure, combine all the ingredients and whisk well until blended.

Pour over your choice of meat, poultry, or seafood.