Skinny Chimichurri
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What Inspired This Recipe?
A few months ago, I proclaimed my undying love for chimichurri with a fervor typically relegated to hairsprayed televangelists. What I don’t love, however, is the feeling of glee my fat cells get when they watch me pour one full cup of vegetable oil (conveniently also the best oil for you! Ha! Haha.. ha…) into the blender as I whiz together a batch of the herbaceous, spicy sauce. Argentinian ketchup, they call it, but I don’t like ketchup, so that doesn’t make sense. Argentinian magic-sauce is what they should call it, but I don’t know if that’ll catch on; it sounds like too much of it might cause hallucinations or “overall feelings of contentment” and is only legal in Colorado and California.
Where was I going with this? Oh, right.
My fat cells jump for joy when I break out the megabottle of vegetable oil to make my original chimichurri.
“The more the merrier!” they squeal, elated. “But even more birthdays to remember…” Their brows begin to furrow as even they question this decision.
Why You’ll Love It
Thanks to a recent health kick (a.k.a. nutrition documentary marathons on Netflix and a library full of vegan and vegetarian reads on Scribd), I’ve endeavored to remove a fair amount of oil from my cooking, so I gave the love of my life (the sauce version, that is! O, you’re safe) a makeover. Less oil, more herbs–freaking tons of flavor; way, way less fat; and far fewer calories.
In the original recipe: 1991 calories (A good year–my fourth birthday party: Peppermint Kitty-themed, floral jumpsuit with a lace collar, tantrum over not getting to take as many turns at pin-the-nose-on-the-whatever-it-was as I wanted. Wasn’t it my birthday?! Hrmph; not as good a number in terms of calories, though there’s at least 16-32 servings in a batch, depending on how much you like Argentinian magic-sauce)
In the entire batch of this skinny chimichurri:322 calories (coincidentally my birthday, though it’s probably fairer to call “the week of March 22nd” my birthday. Amiright, ma?)
You COULD leave out the olive oil altogether, but I think it plays an important role in making the sauce, well, a sauce.
It’s perfect for marinating and absolutely delightful smothering, well, just about anything (word still out on cold cereal). Atop a perfectly grilled or seared flank steak salad? I die. Skinny. I’ll die over that, but I’ll be skinny.
Go on and make this already, so I can stop rambling!
Skinny Chimichurri
yields about 2 cups. total time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
4 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup cilantro
1 cup parsley
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
salt, to taste (we use about 1/2 tablespoon)
Directions
Blend all ingredients (except the salt) until smooth. Season with salt to taste. Refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld.
Bette says
Can you leave the oil out?
Megan | 40 Aprons Team says
Cheryl mentions it in the post! “You COULD leave out the olive oil altogether, but I think it plays an important role in making the sauce, well, a sauce.”
If you try it without the oil, let us know how it turns out for you!
Millie Hawkins says
Hi there this recipe looks delicious!!
How long will it keep in the fridge for?
Can’t wait to make it to have with steak tonight 🙂
Cheryl Malik says
It should last quite a while! At least a week or two 🙂
Shilpi says
is it just me or has the recipe been replaced by the hibiscus tea recipe?
Cheryl Malik says
Argh, no, it’s not just you. When I merged blogs, the recipes didn’t all come with! Fixing it now, try reloading in about.. 3 minutes! 🙂 Sorry about that!
mrsjennifervm@gmail.com says
Love your version! Goes really good with sweet potatoes!
Cheryl Hurley says
Ooh, yum, that sounds delicious!!
Julia says
Mmmm just made this with some flatbread and it was perfect! thanks for sharing!!
admin says
Yum!! Glad you liked. We had it tonight in cactus and mushroom tacos! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Lauren Cosgrave says
Beautiful pictures. I cant wait to try this on on some grilled steaks tomorrow night. Thanks for posting!
admin says
Thank you! And yum, if you try it let me know how you like it!
Kimanh says
This looks absolutely gourmet! I cannot wait to try it!
Yum yum get in me please!!!
admin says
Haha! It IS totally delicious, and I can spoon it into my face guilt-free. Not that I.. Do that or anything……