If you love fresh herbaceous flavor with lemon and spices, Chermoula is a must! It pairs cilantro, parsley, and lemon with cumin, coriander, and paprika. It’s delicious served with roasted veggies (like the zucchini we paired it with), chicken, white fish, or couscous. Plus, it comes together in only a few minutes!
On the Ingredients:
- Cilantro is what we in the US usually call the leaves of coriander plant. Of all herbs and spices, cilantro is known for having two separate groups of people, those who like it and those who think it tastes like soap. While tastes and preferences are highly individual, the differing opinion of cilantro actually has a genetic component. Most people report cilantro as having a fresh citrus flavor, while a smaller faction taste and smell a soapy quality that is rather unpleasant (read more). If you’re one of these people and have been told you’re wrong for claiming the taste, rest assured that your flavor receptors are built differently. Meanwhile, if the taste is pleasantly citrusy to you, you can be happy to enjoy some health benefits of cilantro. Research has shown that cilantro may help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and seizure severity. It may also help with energy levels and healthy hair and skin (read more on the benefits).
- Parsley is often mixed up with cilantro regarding its appearance, but the flavor is quite different and lacks the possibility of a soapy taste. Parsley has a very clean, lightly peppery, and slightly earthy flavor. A natural diuretic, parsley has been shown to help reduce bloating and lower blood pressure. It also contains a lot of vitamin K, supporting bone growth and mineral density (read more on the benefits).
- Speaking of cilantro, ground coriander is made from the same plant but from the seeds rather than the leaves. However, people who taste soap do not usually report the spice having the same issue. Coriander spice has a sweet and citrusy flavor. As for health benefits, like parsley, it’s high in vitamin K, but it also has a lot of immune-boosting antioxidants and may help lower blood sugar and improve heart health (read more on the benefits).
- Cumin is a spice with a deep earthy, warm flavor with a hint of citrus. It’s a staple spice in many cuisines, such as Mexican, Indian, African, and some Asian cuisines. Some research supports that cumin may help with weight loss, lowering blood sugar, and easing IBS (read more on the benefits).
- Paprika is a spice made from dried sweet peppers. Most paprika sold in the US is mild and sweet, but the flavor can be hotter, depending on the variety. Paprika contains vitamin A, capsaicin, and carotenoid antioxidants. Paprika may help prevent inflammation and improve your cholesterol, eye health, and blood sugar levels (more on the benefits).
Recipe Notes and Substitutions:
If you don’t want to use cilantro, you can use Thai basil or more parsley instead.
Moroccan Chermoula Sauce
6
servings5
minutes5
minutes10
minutesIf you love fresh herbaceous flavor with lemon and spices, Chermoula is a must! It pairs cilantro, parsley, and lemon with cumin, coriander, and paprika. It’s delicious served with roasted veggies (like the zucchini we paired it with), chicken, white fish, or couscous. Plus, it comes together in only a few minutes!
Ingredients
3 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp paprika
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 cup chopped parsley
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
4 cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp salt
Directions
- Place the cumin, coriander, and paprika in a dry pan and toast over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant (about 30-60 seconds). Remove from the hot pan as soon as it's toasted.
- Combine all the ingredients in the food processor. Blend until you have a smooth sauce. Keep it in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Serve with roasted vegetables, white fish, chicken, couscous, or orzo.
