Salsa Ajilimojili

Ajilimojili is a traditional Puerto Rican sauce made with garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. It is used as a table condiment for everything, especially the traditional holiday roasted leg of pork. Of course, when I sit at the Puerto Rican holiday table, I want nothing to do with the pork. Thankfully, ajilimojili elevates any meat-free side dishes (like salad, plantains, and arroz con gandules) to much more celebratory good eats.

My mom's recipe is spectacular, and for hers she uses these really tiny sweet peppers called "ajies dulces", which are readily available in Puerto Rican grocery stores (or in her backyard garden). I have searched for them here in the continental US, with no success. But, the light bulb went off on my last trip to PR, when I studied the peppers closely and decided they reminded me of pepperoncini peppers! I promptly made a batch of the sauce upon my return, and it is quickly becoming a fridge staple.

And yes, I can say "ajilimojili" ten times really fast.

Salsa Ajilimojili

3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon sliced pepperoncini peppers, chopped and drained
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
the juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Put all ingredients in a blender. Grid until desired consistency (I like to pulse it so I can get it somewhat smooth, but with a few garlic chunks left).

Vegetarian Pi~non

Feliz Dia de Reyes! Today is Three Kings Day, a huge holiday in Puerto Rico. It is only fitting that I reincarnated some leftovers from earlier this week to stand in for the traditional meat of one of my favorite childhood casseroles, pi~non.

Irony: The root of the word "reincarnate" is the Latin word for "meat".

Vegetarian Pi~non

2 boxes Goya ripe plantain slices
1 can French cut green beans
3 cups leftover Sweet & Hearty Red Kidney Bean Stew
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon cornstarch
4 tablespoons fat-free milk
pinch of salt and pepper

1- Preheat oven to 375.

2- In greased 7 x 11 baking dish, layer the following: 1 box plantain slices, 1/2 can green beans, bean stew, green beans, 1 box plantain slices.

3- Whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, milk, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over casserole.

4- Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, or until egg mixture is set and slightly golden.

5- Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes.