July 14, 2020 | By Michael H. Babcock
In the first episode of Biblio Bistro, we’ll go through how to make chimichurri sauce. Chef Michael and Dietitian Meghan are big fans of the dish.
“That’s super yummy.” – Chef Michael
“That’s summer in a bite!” – Dietitian Meghan
About Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri is a bright fresh sauce made with olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic and spices. Traditionally it is used as a sauce to serve over meats, however chimichurri is extremely versatile. Try adding to scrambled eggs, tacos, on sandwiches or wraps, on top of rice/pasta, or simply dip bread in it. The possibilities are endless!
In total the recipe takes less than 10 minutes to prepare, and its versatility means it’s a great item for you to add to your cooking repertoire. In total, this cost $7.48 to make and provided 8 total servings. The fresh parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme, garlic and jalapeño pepper (optional) are all things that can be found in the Copper Country during farmers markets.
Healthy Eating Tips from Dietitian Meghan
- Heart Healthy - In particular, garlic and parsley have been shown to help improve blood pressure. Olive oil is also known to have heart protective properties.
- Good for Digestion - Parsley has been linked to improved digestive health (keeps you regular!)
- Garlic may not sit well for those with sensitive stomachs or irritable bowel syndrome. Consider a garlic-infused olive oil OR leaving out the raw garlic and adding garlic powder instead, which is better tolerated
- Packed with Antioxidants – the main ingredients- olive oil, herbs, and garlic- are all rich in antioxidants! Antioxidants help protect our cells from being damaged (or oxidized) by everyday forces like pollution, stress, or aging.
Cooking Tips from Chef Michael
- Be sure to remove the seeds from jalapeño peppers without letting them touch your skin to avoid any burning.
- If you don’t have an immersion blender or food processor, you can simply chop everything up and combine with the oil.
- Adding a bay leaf is a great way to add flavor. If you add it, be sure to pull it out before you serve it.
- This sauce is perfect for a primavera pasta, which is simply a pasta, sauce and steamed vegetables. Nothing fancy, but your friends and family will be impressed.
Farmers Markets in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula
From Calumet to L’Anse to Bruce Crossing there are great farmers markets all over Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Our friends at the Western U.P. Food Systems Collaborative have put together a great resource on this that gets updated regularly. Check out a full list of farmers markets here, wupfoodsystems.com/farmers-markets.
About Biblio Bistro
The Biblio Bistro series strives to show that healthy cooking doesn’t have to be boring or laborious. Our goal is that by watching this series, participants can feel more confident and curious in the kitchen, all the while increasing fruit and veggie intake and supporting the local food system! Learn more about Biblio Bistro at pldl.org/biblio-bistro.
About Portage Health Foundation’s Food Initiative
Portage Health Foundation is passionate about making a difference when it comes to food in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties. PHF’s Food Initiative is two-fold. First, the food initiative aims to improve access to locally grown and healthful foods within our community. Second, it provides educational resources and tools to promote sustainable changes to eating and lifestyle habits for all. Learn more about this initiative at phfgive.org/food.
