Cilantro Garlic Sauce

I love burrito bowls. They're not just tasty, but good for you. On long work days, I love eating meals like that, because rice and beans will fill you up for hours, whereas something like a fast food meal will have me hungry again too soon. I've been shooting events before and felt the pangs of hunger, watching guests fill their plates, wishing I'd made a wiser lunch choice that day.

When it comes to restaurant burrito bowls, I feel that Chipotle has been the reigning champ for years. Since before hipsters were even labeled as such, I recall my college friends being obsessed with them. The burrito bowl from there did grow on me, as did their guac, but I think there is an even better quick-serve burrito bowl spot: Pollo Tropical.

This isn't an ad, but I say this because they have something that sets them apart from the rest. A special, golden ticket: cilantro garlic sauce.

The first time I had it, I couldn't believe how good it was. And ever since I tried it, everywhere else just can't quite top that flavor addition to a burrito bowl. Sure, I'm a sour cream fan as well. I love it on tacos, burritos, and don't bother serving me a quesadilla without it. But throw sour cream into the ring with this sauce and the cilantro garlic will get the KO. It turns a meal of rice, beans, and protein into a dish of delight. And it was finally time I made it at home.

I mean I knew the basics. Cilantro. Garlic. More than likely sour cream as the base. Were there super top secret ingredients that made this so perfect? It had to have something like fairy dust sprinkled in, making this out of this world.

I did a bit of research and compared some others who'd tried their own versions (internet, "you my only friend"), and it seemed that I was on the right track. It's essentially Tzatziki sauce (if you don't know what this is, I am very sorry for you), the Greek cucumber sauce that makes everything perfect, but with no dill and the cilantro taking the place of the cucumber. Huh.

So I threw some fresh cilantro into the magic bullet (a small food processor will also do the trick) until it was completely chopped into a mush. I had enough moisture in the leaves to completely pulverize them, and wound up with the green, amazing smelling cilantro paste seen below.

All that I did next was mix that into some Greek yogurt along with some minced garlic, lemon juice, oil, salt, pepper, and a dash of cayenne because that's just who I am as a person. I went with Greek Yogurt over sour cream because it's generally delightful and it's what I use in Tzatziki.

That's IT! Throw it all together. Stick that stuff in a container. Top everything with it.

Spot on, just what I was looking for. My homemade burrito bowl was amazing. All I dreamt it could be. I've unlocked the ability of the cilantro garlic for home use. I promise to use this power only for good. Good being on top of everything I ever make with rice and beans for likely the rest of time. :)

Cilantro Garlic Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon avocado oil (or olive oil)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

Add cilantro leaves to a small blender and pulse several times, until the leaves are very finely chopped. Add 1 tablespoon of water if the leaves are too dry and stick to the sides of the container. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped leaves with Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, avocado oil, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir until well combined, then serve.

adapted from cilantro garlic sauce