Peruvian Picantephiles

I once heard a friend note, upon returning from a trip to South America, that it seemed the primary factor in determining a local chef's merit was essentially how spicy they were willing to make their dishes. So you say you've prepared an uninspired ceviche? No problem, just reach for the aji (a generic Peruvian metonymy for all chiles and chile sauces, though referring specifically to the Aji pepper). And while I imagine that any of the growing number of gourmet chefs in the Peruvian capital of Lima would insist (correctly, I'm sure) that they bring much more than chiles to the table, they could scarcely deny their country's love for all things aji. We'll be rolling out some recipes in the next couple of days that celebrate their cravings for Capsaicin.

One incredibly simple way to share in this Peruvian passion is by whipping up a batch of Aji Sauce. This versatile salsa verde, the national sauce of Peru, can be prepared in a variety of ways and used on countless dishes, but is often served simply with bread at Peruvian restaurants.

The basic recipe goes something like this:

1 bunch of cilantro
As many chili peppers as you can stand.
Salt

Pretty simple right? Well, that's part of the beauty. However, this is just a starting off point. As far as the peppers go, jalapenos are pretty standard in recipes made in the states, though the more adventurous might add some serrano or habanero. Popular additions include garlic, lime juice, green onion, olive oil, crushed black pepper, even a stalk of celery. Some variations incorporate lettuce, mayo, and bread cubes. Think of it like making pesto. There's no right way to do it, but it always seems to turn out fantastic.

In the spirit of discovery, we'll let you decide your favorite way of preparing it! Let us know your faverite and how it turned out. Unfortunately, to make a really authentic Aji Sauce, you'll need to get your hands on some aji amarillo peppers, which are next to impossible to find in the US. If only there was some way to make it to Peru...