Oregano Chimichurri

I got a little spunky today with my herbs. My oregano is OUT OF CONTROL already! I am constantly looking for creative ways to incorporate it into recipes. (Kind of like my Kale). Today, I found some lovely organic Parsley and Cilantro, and the wheels got turning. What I came up with was a Chimichurri sauce to go with some grilled chicken. 

What is Chimichurri you ask?

Chimichurri is a traditional sauce from Argentina. It is based on finely minced herbs, garlic, vinegar and oil. It can be used as a topping, or as a marinade. (I like it on top of grilled meats personally).

This recipe is a great jumping point for modifications. Use your imagination, add lemon juice, onion, tomato, or mix up the herbs used and their proportions to find a combination that you like the most.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) contains extremely high amounts of Vitamin K (1366% DV), high amounts of Vitamin A, C, and Mineral Iron.

​Medicinally Parsley has the benefits of...

• Containing compounds that are anti-septic for gums and mouth
• Being High in Antioxidants ORAC value 1301 umol TE/100g

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) contains high amounts of Vitamin A (1933 IU, 39%DV) , Vitamin K (218% DV), Vitamin E,  Folate and B6, and Minerals Iron (12.3mg, 68%DV), Manganese (65% DV), Calcium (44% DV), Magnesium, Potassium and Copper.

Medicinally, Oregano has the benefits of…

• 4x more antioxidants than blueberries, 175,295 umol TE/100g for dried!
• It inhibits the growth of candida
• It is a natural antibiotic (there have been some preliminary research that shows promise of concentrated oregano being a more effective antibiotic than penicillin).
• It can kill MRSA, (according to a single study)
• Contains anti-inflammatory, beta-caryophyllin
• Oil is anti-biotic, anti-fungal, anti-viral

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), also known as Coriander Leaves and Chinese Parsley, contains high amounts of Vitamin A (1889 IU, 38%DV), Vitamin K (109% DV), Vitamin C and in smaller amounts minerals Manganese and Potassium. 

Medicinally, Cilantro has the benefits of…

• Anti-septic properties
• Some studies show it as a use to lower blood sugar levels

Garlic (Allium sativum) is an indispensable culinary herb that not only ads great depth of flavor, but also provides high amounts of B vitamins and Vitamin C, Mineral Manganese and lower amounts of Minerals Copper, Selenium, Phosphorus and Iron.

Medicinally Garlic has the benefits of...

• High in antioxidants, having a ORAC value of 5346 umol/TE100g
• Raw garlic, when crushed, contains Allicin, which has many health benefits including, lowering cholesterol, decreasing blood vessel stiffness, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties.

​Olive Oil provides Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Iron, Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Parsley, Packed
• 1/2 cup Oregano, Packed
• 1/4 cup Fresh Lime Juice
• Salt and Pepper to taste (Suggest 1/2 tsp each)

• 1 cup Cilantro, Packed
• 4 Cloves Garlic
• 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 cup Avocado Oil

FINELY minced all the herbs and put into a bowl. Smash and mince the garlic cloves and add to the herbs. Mix in the salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, vinegar and oil. Mix thoroughly, and let sit for minimum 2 hours. Serve on meat of choice, tacos, salads (makes a good salad dressing), etc…

Will last for 1 week in the refrigerator.