Update: Somehow this post was deleted.
Before reading, check out this post: Chimichurri: Debunking The Myths
When it comes to a simple parsley-garlic chimichurri, I’ll usually chop up a large bunch of parsley, mince some garlic, sprinkle salt and pepper, and then mix all of that with oil, vinegar, and water. The amount of garlic cloves may vary as well as the ratio of liquids–sometimes I leave out the water. After a few adjustments here and there, for taste, I’ll split the mixture in two with one getting a heavy dosage of hot pepper flakes for those who like a little heat. That’s about it. Parsley and garlic are the stars and no one else is going to steal that show–the pepper flakes hardly affect the flavor.
I’ve been reading through “Barbecue! Bible : Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades, Bastes, Butters, and Glazes“, by Steven Raichlen, quite often lately to gather a few ideas for recipes to use with smoking or grilling. One of the recipes in the book is a parsley-garlic chimichurri recipe that I’ve probably passed a few hundred times but never really looked back on since day one. Nothing is wrong with it, mind you, and it’s not one of those ‘add chopped chiles to ketchup for an authentic sambal type of recipe that often loathe. This chimichurri recipe looks as authentic as any. I’ve seen mirrors of it in Argentina and that’s part of the reason why I never gave so much as another glance–nothing new. Sure it is different from my parsley-garlic version in that a little minced onion and a pinch of oregano are added to the mixture, but I’ve added those ingredients before, only in different proportions.
About a week ago, while trying to perfect my signature spice rub, all sorts of thoughts about proportions where swirling around my head while thumbing through Steven’s book. When passing the chimichurri recipe for the 436th time, I thought about trying it out with his exact proportions. Maybe this version makes one heck of a chimichurri.
Well, I made it. The outcome? Delicious. The “less is more” mantra definitely applies to the small amount of onion and oregano. Although, I did have to decrease the oil and increase the vinegar just a bit, but I’ll explain that in the recipe.
Parsley-Garlic Chimichurri
This recipe is adapted from Steven Raichlen’s Chimichurri recipe (click link for original)
1 large bunch of fresh flat leaf parsley (he says to toss the stems, I usually leave quite a bit on)
8 cloves of garlic, peeled
3 tablespoons minced onion
5 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
5 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
Chop up the parsley a bit. This will make processing easier. Add parsley and garlic to food processor and hit the pulse button a few times to mince. Add remaining ingredients and pulse some more. Slowly pour oil through the chute, while taping away on the pulse button. Pulse just enough to where everything is mixed properly. When I stopped, the oil was just starting to emulsify, and that happened very quickly. I don’t find emulsification aesthetically pleasing with chimichurri.
If you like the fresh crisp flavor of parsley, use immediately. Letting it rest overnight will balance out the flavors.
Note: Not all large bunches of parsley are equal so you may have to adjust the liquids a bit. I left out a few tablespoons of oil. Also, I added an extra tablespoon of vinegar to add a little zip. Oh, and you might want to eat this on a day when you won’t have to socially interact with anyone face to face
Don’t just use this recipe as a table-side condiment, the opportunities are endless. Use as a marinade. Use when cooking fish. Use with roasted vegetables. Also, a few spoons added to a basic salad vinaigrette works wonders as well.
I have another chimichurri recipe posted here.
If you are unfamiliar with Steven Raichlen, he’s an award-winning author of numerous books, tv host, and teacher who practically lives and breathes all things related to barbecue. So much so, that he even traveled extensively around the world for four years to learn what barbecue means to everyone else.
Katie Alley, of the wonderfully written blog 
My wife brought me a sampler box of three beers–pilsen, pale ale, and porter–from the Cerveceria Cape Horn when she was in Ushuaia this week. I should have picked up a few bottles on previous trips but I kept failing to remind myself before heading back home each time. I’m not sure how long they have been around since I only noticed their bottles in stores on a trip last year. The label has an email account from a national ISP so no help from a web site giving out that …
