Guyanese Green Seasoning Recipe
A fresh blend of scallion, thyme, garlic, cilantro and hot pepper, the herb marinade at the heart of Guyanese cooking. Use it on chicken, fish, stews and curries.
Servings 2 Cups
Calories 75kcal
Equipment
- Food Processor
- cutting board
- sharp knife
- Airtight container
- Ice cube tray (optional)
- mortar and pestle (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion (roughly chopped)
- 4 scallions
- 1 head garlic (peeled)
- 1 bunch cilantro
- ½ cup Italian parsley
- 1 bunch thyme (leaves removed from the stems)
- 2 celery stalks with leaves (mostly the leaves; or use Guyanese or Chinese celery)
- 2 inches ginger (peeled)
- 3 wiri wiri peppers (seeds and veins removed)
- 5 marrid-man poke leaves (or Thai basil)
- 3 large Guyanese broad leaf thyme leaves (about 3 inches long, Cuban oregano)
Instructions
- Roughly chop the onion, scallions and celery. Remove the seeds and veins from the wiri wiri peppers.
- Add everything to a food processor and pulse about 10 times, until finely chopped but still a little chunky. For a smooth paste, blend a little longer. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Use it right away, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze it in ice cube trays for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Mild by design: removing the seeds and veins keeps the wiri wiri flavor without the heat. For a spicy blend, leave them in.
- Need less? Halve the recipe for about 1 cup.
- Freeze in portions: freeze it in 1½-tablespoon portions. 2 portions season a whole chicken.
- How much to use: about 3 tablespoons per whole chicken (Caribbean roast chicken).
- Best fresh: season your meat the same day, and freeze the rest.
- Small batches: a mortar and pestle gives the deepest flavor, the way my grandmother made it.
- More ways to use it: want to learn how I use green seasoning in other dishes? See page 131 in my cookbook, Caribbean Paleo.
Nutrition
Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 515mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2321IU | Vitamin C: 128mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 3mg