Amazing Dairy-Free Cilantro Sauce
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
This brilliant sauce is bright, vibrant, just lightly spicy, and has a flavor that pairs well with various proteins and vegetables. It's fabulous drizzled on the Halibut with Roasted Vegetables recipe in the notes, but it's also great on tacos, chicken, tofu, or veggie rice bowls. This recipe is adapted from Epicurious.
Author:
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: American
Serves: ¾ cup
Ingredients
  • ½ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
  • ½ cup packed fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves
  • 1 tablespoon + ¼ cup water (can sub broth), plus additional for blanching the herbs
  • 1 teaspoon oil
  • 2 shallots, chopped
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or gluten-free tamari (sub coconut aminos for soy-free and paleo)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Prepare a bowl of ice water.
  2. Bring a small pot of water to boil. Add the cilantro and parsley for just 10 seconds (to blanch them), and then drain. Plunge the herbs into the ice water to stop the cooking and then drain.
  3. Heat the 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the shallots, garlic, ginger, cumin, and red pepper flakes and saute until the shallots are softened, about 3 minutes.
  4. Scrape the shallot mixture into your blender, and add the blanched herbs, remaining ¼ cup water, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Puree until smooth, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. The cilantro sauce may be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.
Notes
Halibut over Roasted Vegetables with Dairy-Free Cilantro Sauce: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place 6 cups cubed butternut squash, 1 pound beets, and 1 medium chopped onion in a roasting pan. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons oil and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat, and then spread in a single layer. Roast the vegetables in the middle of your oven for 25 minutes. Scatter 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves over the vegetables, and roast for 8 minutes more. Season 4 (5-ounce) halibut filets (or other white fish) with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Arrange the fish in a single layer on top of the vegetables. Roast until just cooked through, about 8 minutes. Serve drizzled with the dairy-free cilantro sauce as desired. Makes 4 servings. Nutrition per serving (without sauce): 326 calories, 6g fat, 39.6g carb, 7.2g fiber, 14.9g sugar (0g added), 33.5g protein, 611mg sodium.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 tablespoon Calories: 9 Fat: .5g Saturated fat: .1g Carbohydrates: 1g Sugar: .2g Sodium: 153mg Fiber: .2g Protein: .4g
Recipe by Go Dairy Free at https://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/dairy-free-cilantro-sauce