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Salsa Verde With Arugula

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on June 1, 2011

Yield

Serves 4 to 6 (Makes a generous 1 1/2 cups)

Salsa Verde With Arugula

Ingredients

2 slices white sandwich bread 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup lemon juice (from 2 lemons)2 cups chopped arugula, lightly packed2 cups packed flat-leaf parsley leaves, washed and dried thoroughly4 anchovy fillets ¼ cup capers, drained2 small cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 teaspoon)⅛ teaspoon table salt

Before You Begin

Arugula gives this variation a peppery kick that's a nice match for grilled foods.

Instructions

  1. Toast bread in toaster at lowest setting until surface is dry but not browned, about 15 seconds. Remove crust and cut bread into rough 1/2-inch pieces (you should have about 1 1/2 cups).
  2. Process bread pieces, oil, and lemon juice in food processor until smooth, about 10 seconds. Add arugula, parsley, anchovies, capers, garlic, and salt. Pulse until mixture is finely chopped (mixture should not be smooth), about five 1-second pulses, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula after 3 pulses. Transfer mixture to small bowl and serve.

Salsa Verde With Arugula

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Yield

Serves 4 to 6 (Makes a generous 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients

2 slices white sandwich bread
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
2 cups chopped arugula, lightly packed
2 cups packed flat-leaf parsley leaves, washed and dried thoroughly
4 anchovy fillets
¼ cup capers, drained
2 small cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 teaspoon)
⅛ teaspoon table salt

Ingredients

2 slices white sandwich bread
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
2 cups chopped arugula, lightly packed
2 cups packed flat-leaf parsley leaves, washed and dried thoroughly
4 anchovy fillets
¼ cup capers, drained
2 small cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 teaspoon)
⅛ teaspoon table salt

Ingredients

2 slices white sandwich bread
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
2 cups chopped arugula, lightly packed
2 cups packed flat-leaf parsley leaves, washed and dried thoroughly
4 anchovy fillets
¼ cup capers, drained
2 small cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 teaspoon)
⅛ teaspoon table salt

Why This Recipe Works

This all-purpose green sauce, made from parsley, olive oil, garlic, and vinegar, can be overly potent and harsh, and it separates easily to boot. For a balanced yet still boldly flavored salsa verde recipe that wouldn’t require stirring, we processed chunks of bread with oil and lemon juice—not vinegar—to create a smooth base, then added the remaining ingredients, including anchovies for a touch of complexity (but not fishiness).

Before You Begin

Arugula gives this variation a peppery kick that's a nice match for grilled foods.

Instructions

  1. Toast bread in toaster at lowest setting until surface is dry but not browned, about 15 seconds. Remove crust and cut bread into rough 1/2-inch pieces (you should have about 1 1/2 cups).
  2. Process bread pieces, oil, and lemon juice in food processor until smooth, about 10 seconds. Add arugula, parsley, anchovies, capers, garlic, and salt. Pulse until mixture is finely chopped (mixture should not be smooth), about five 1-second pulses, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula after 3 pulses. Transfer mixture to small bowl and serve.

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