This is F&W’s Grace Parisi’s attempt at recreating the elusive, addictive “green sauce” at a popular Peruvian rotisserie-chicken restaurant chain in New York called Pio Pio. The creeping heat can transform even the simplest dish.
ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large jalapeños, seeded and quartered lengthwise
1 large serrano chile with seeds, quartered lengthwise
1/2 small white onion, thinly sliced
1 large garlic clove, thinly sliced
1 cup water
1/2 Hass avocado
2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper
directions
In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the jalapeños, serrano, onion and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cook over moderate heat until the vegetables are tender and the water is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Add the avocado and puree until smooth. With the machine on, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil and puree until creamy. Add the lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
MAKE AHEAD The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.