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Chinese Herb Dip 3

Serves 4 to 6 Dip vegetarian, Appetizers

Chinese Herb Dip 3

Chinese Herb Dip 3 is a beloved staple in home kitchens across China, crafted with an instinctive touch that reflects the heart of family cooking. This dip is not bound by strict measurements but rather by the cook's intuition — salt is pinched just so, and olive oil is drizzled with a generous hand. It's a dish that invites sharing, embodying the communal spirit of a family gathered around the table.

The dip offers a creamy embrace of yogurt, laced with the fresh, vibrant notes of herbs and a gentle punch from garlic. The olive oil adds a luxurious finish, binding the flavors into a harmonious blend. It's a taste that lingers, inviting you to scoop and savor each mouthful, a simple yet profound pleasure of home-cooked comfort.

Ingredients

  • 400 gyogurt
  • herbs — chopped
  • 2 clovesgarlic
  • to finisholive oil
  • to tastefine sea salt

Method

  1. Begin by preparing the herbs. Choose a mix of fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, and chives. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel, then finely chop them until you have about a small handful. Set aside.
  2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add 400 g of yogurt. Peel and finely mince 2 cloves of garlic, then add them to the yogurt. Using a pestle and mortar, pound the garlic into the yogurt until the mixture is smooth and the garlic is well integrated. If you prefer, you can use a blender for a quicker method, blending until the yogurt is creamy and the garlic is evenly distributed.
  3. Slowly drizzle in a small amount of olive oil, about 2 tablespoons, into the yogurt mixture. Stir continuously as you add the oil to ensure it emulsifies smoothly with the yogurt. This will create a rich and creamy texture, enhancing the dip's flavor.
  4. Add the chopped herbs to the yogurt mixture. Stir gently to combine, making sure the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the dip. The vibrant green of the herbs should be visible against the creamy white yogurt, indicating they are well-mixed.
  5. Season the dip with fine sea salt to taste. Start with a small pinch, mix, and taste by spreading a little on a piece of bread. Adjust the salt gradually until the flavors are balanced and the dip has a savory depth.
  6. Allow the dip to rest for about 10 minutes at room temperature. This brief rest lets the flavors meld together, enhancing the overall taste. Serve the dip cool, drizzled with a little more olive oil on top for a glossy finish, and enjoy it as part of a shared meal.
Cover of Authentic Chinese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Chinese Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Chinese Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Chinese volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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