Best Zhoug Recipes

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.

ZHOUG CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish with olive oil.
• Measure 1/2 cup of prepared zhoug and spread over the bottom of the oiled baking dish. Place chicken thighs, cut side down, on top of the zhoug. Sprinkle fire-roasted bell peppers over chicken thighs. Using a spoon, drop remaining zhoug sauce in between the bell pepper pieces, covering as much of the chicken thighs as possible.
• Bake in the preheated oven 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).

RED ZHOUG

Steps:

• Add the oil to a large sauté pan and place on the stove over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the bell peppers and chiles and fry while continuously stirring for about 10 minutes, until the peppers start to blister and darken in color. If at any time the peppers start to burn, decrease the heat slightly.
• Remove the peppers and chiles from the oil, set aside, and let cool. Add the cooled fried peppers and chiles and the paprika, turmeric, cloves, cardamom, cumin, salt, garlic, and lemon juice to a food processor and blend, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula when necessary, until the mixture is the consistency of a chunky puree, about 2minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool, then add the cilantro and stir to combine. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

GIANT COUSCOUS & TOMATO SALAD WITH ZHOUG-STYLE DRESSING

Steps:

• Put the tomatoes and onion in a large bowl with ½ tsp sea salt. Toss and leave to sit.
• Cook the couscous in a pan of boiling salted water for 8-10 mins until tender (don't overcook it - you want it a bit under so it can soak up the juices from the tomato), then drain really well. Cool for 10 mins then toss with the tomato and onion mixture.
• Blend all the dressing ingredients with 1 tbsp water and ½ tsp sea salt until smooth. Drizzle some over the couscous, then serve the rest on the side for people to help themselves.

SHAKSHUKA WITH GREEN CHILI ZHOUG

Steps:

• Zhoug: In a food processor, add cilantro, parsley, chilies, olive oil, vinegar, water, sugar, cloves, cardamon, cumin, orange zest, and garlic. Blend until combined, but still chunky. Taste for seasoning. Place in a bowl and set aside. (Will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 week. Use as a condiment with roasted chicken, scrambled eggs, or on toast with olive oil.)
• Shakshuka, part 1: In a skillet, heat olive oil over high heat until smoking. Prepare the vegetables: Cut the cherry tomatoes in half; mince the garlic; cut the sunchokes into a large dice; peel and thinly slice the onion; slice the bell pepper (discard the inner membrane and seeds). To the hot skillet, add the cherry tomatoes and stir until blistered, 3-5 minutes. Add garlic, onion, and pepper, and cook until soft, 2-3 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir. Season with salt, then mix in the sunchokes and peas. Simmer, uncovered, 2-3 minutes.
• Shakshuka, part 2: When the sauce is bubbly and slightly thickened, reduce heat to medium. Crack the eggs directly on top of the sauce, evenly spaced around the pan. Cover skillet and cook until the whites have set but the egg yolks are still soft, 5-6 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Assembly: Drizzle several spoonfuls of zhoug on top of shakshuka. Sprinkle with sea salt and garnish with chopped scallions. Serve immediately.

ZHOUG

Steps:

• Finely chop peppers, garlic and coriander in food processor.
• Mix in hot pepper, cumin and salt.
• Place in a glass jar and cover with olive oil.

BLACK LENTILS WITH KABOCHA SQUASH, SWISS CHARD, BARLEY-MUSHROOM GRITS AND ZHOUG

Steps:

• Bring 2/3 cup water, 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil and some salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the barley, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the mushrooms and mix well. Set the barley-mushroom grits aside.
• Heat 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and cumin and sauté for a minute. Add the lentils and 1 cup water and simmer for 40 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the vinegar and salt and pepper to taste, then set the lentils aside.
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add the remaining tablespoon olive oil and the squash and sauté for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, reduce the heat to low and cook for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the Swiss chard, preserved lemon, parsley and salt and pepper to taste and toss to combine.
• To serve, scoop the squash mixture on to plates, add the barley-mushroom grits and lentils, and drizzle with Zhoug Sauce.
• Place the olive oil, cilantro, parsley, lemon juice, chile, vinegar, garlic, cinnamon and cumin in a blender and blend until emulsified.