Schug
introduction
Schug is like a well-traveled gremolata. Abundantly popular in Middle Eastern cuisine, this spicy, bright, herbaceous condiment will surely become a new favorite in your repertoire. Spiced with coriander and cardamom and warmed by hot green chiles, this sauce hits a lot of notes on the palate and is a sprightly addition to many things: fried eggs, avocado toast, beef stew—and everything in between. It cuts through rich foods and brightens those that are dull.
Cooking Remarks
After reading this recipe, you may wonder why you can’t simply throw everything in the food processor and pulse away. Great food is never that easy. Taking the time to de-germ the garlic and pre-chop the chiles and herbs creates a much finer, fresher sauce. It is possible to make schug with no equipment other than a sharp knife. Mince the herbs and chiles nice and fine and mix the ingredients together thoroughly. The final sauce may be slightly coarser, but there’s nothing wrong with that.
equipment mise en place
For this recipe, you will need a digital kitchen scale, a food processor, and a small bowl.
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0.4ounce fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (about ½ cup packed)
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0.4ounce fresh cilantro leaves (about ½ cup packed)
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5ounces hot green chiles, such as serranos or jalapeños
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2teaspoons minced garlic (first remove the germ, if present)
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1teaspoon ground coriander
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½teaspoon ground cardamom
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¼cup extra-virgin olive oil
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¼cup grapeseed oil
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½teaspoon grated zest, plus 2 teaspoons juice from 1 lemon, plus additional juice, if needed
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Fine sea salt
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Finely chop the cilantro and parsley, then place in a small bowl. Test the chiles’ heat level by cutting a small piece and pressing to your tongue. Remove the ribs and seeds for a milder sauce or leave in some or all for spiciness. Chop the chiles into rough ¼-inch pieces, then transfer to a food processor. Pulse until the pieces are about the size of a matchstick head; do not overprocess.
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To the food processor, add the chopped herbs, garlic, coriander, cardamom, and lemon zest, then pulse a couple of times to combine the ingredients into a coarse paste. Transfer to a small bowl, add both oils, and stir to combine. Stir in the lemon juice and ¾ teaspoon salt, then taste and adjust the seasoning with additional lemon juice and salt, if needed. Serve immediately. (In an airtight container, schug will keep in the refrigerator for only a day or two.)