Chimichurri


Chimichurri is an uncooked sauce used both in cooking and as a table condiment for grilled meat. A specialty of Argentina and Uruguay, the sauce comes in a green and a red version. It is made of finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano and red wine vinegar.

Etymology

Some have posited that the name of the sauce is connected to the Basque language term Tximitxurri, which loosely translates as "hodgepodge" or "a mixture of several things in no particular order"; many Basques settled in Argentina in the 19th century.
Various almost certainly false etymologies purport to explain the name as a corruption of English words, most commonly the name "Jimmy Curry", "Jimmy McCurry", or "give me curry", but no contemporary documentation of any of these stories has been found.

Preparation

Chimichurri is always made from finely chopped parsley, but other seasonings used vary. Inclusion of red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, black pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, and sunflower or olive oil is typical Some recipes add shallot or onion, and lemon juice. Chimichurri may be basted or spooned onto meat as it cooks, or onto the cooked surface of meat as it rests. Chimichurri is often served as an accompaniment to asados. It may be served with grilled steaks or roasted sausages, but also with poultry or fish.

Other uses of the term

In Dominican Republic cuisine, chimichurri or chimi is a hamburger topped with coleslaw and sauces; a sauce somewhat similar to Argentinean chimichurri is called wasakaka.
In León, Mexico, chimichurri is a pizza topping of mayonnaise, mustard, chile de árbol, white vinegar, garlic, oil and salt. This dressing has an orange hue and is very popular in the city.