Somali Bizbaz Sauce

This cool, pale-green sauce of lime, chile and coriander was inspired by Somali chef Jamal Hashi. Every day he makes a bowl of it for his Safari Express food stand in Minneapolis’ Global Market, and every day, he runs out. Jamal remembers this sauce in Somalia, where people made it with what grew in their backyards — the ubiquitous lime trees, chile and coriander.

We eat it with everything — burgers, corn on the cob, fried plantains, meats, salad, fish, and any vegetable.

Ingredients

• 1 large garlic clove, crushed

• Juice of half a large lime

• 1/2 to 2 whole fresh Serrano chiles (depending on your taste)

• 1/2 to 2/3 tight-packed cup fresh coriander leaves

• 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, or to taste

• 1/2 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• More lime juice if needed

Procedure

1. Place the garlic clove in a coffee cup and squeeze the lime juice over it. Let stand 20 minutes while you gather the other ingredients. 

2. Place the garlic, lime juice, chile, coriander leaves, sugar, yogurt, salt and pepper into the bowl of a food processor and purée. Taste for balance. Refrigerate the Bizbaz an hour or so to mellow, and use cool.