Green Cilantro Sauce

Green Cilantro Sauce
Fantastic sauce for grilled chicken, fish or meat.

Makes 3/4 cup

• 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/2 cup packed fresh Italian parsley
• 2 shallots
• 1 large clove garlic
• 2 teaspoons peeled and grated fresh gingerroot
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes (more if you like it very spicy)
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Have ready a bowl of ice water. In a small saucepan of boiling water blanch cilantro and parsley 10 seconds and drain in a sieve. Refresh herbs in ice water and drain again in sieve. Chop shallots and garlic.

In a small nonstick skillet cook shallots, garlic, gingerroot, cumin, and red pepper flakes in 1 tablespoon of the water and oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until shallots are softened. In a blender purée shallot mixture, herbs, remaining 1/4 cup water, and soy sauce until smooth, about 1 minute, and season with salt and pepper. Sauce may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring sauce to room temperature before serving.

Just before serving, stir in lemon juice.

Per 1 tablespoon serving: 9 Calories; trace Fat (39.8% calories from fat); trace Saturated Fat; trace Protein; 1g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 174mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 0 Fat.