Green Garlic Sauce

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

• ½ cup green garlic (or garlic scape), thinly sliced

• Pinch of salt 

• Pinch of chile flakes

• 1 lemon, juiced

• ½ cup finely chopped parsley

• ¼ cup finely chopped mint

• ¼ cup finely chopped oregano

• 2 cups extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Add the green garlic and a pinch of salt to a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor and mash it into a paste. The salt helps to break down the green garlic when you are mashing it. When it is the consistency of a fine paste, add the pinch of chile flakes and lemon juice. The lemon juice helps to activate the garlic and draw out the flavors. Let the paste stand for a few minutes.

2. Fold in your herbs, mix thoroughly and then top off with olive oil. The oil is an approximation; you can make the sauce as dry (less oil) or as wet (more oil) as you want. If this is a simple dip for bread or veggies, go for the wetter version. If this is a topping for a fish or meat dish, go for a drier version. You can also riff on this base recipe by adding chopped egg, olive, capers, anchovies, horseradish and other herbs.

Serve with crudités, over meat, fish or tofu, or with eggs!!