Aji Verde (Peruvian Green Sauce)

Origin: Peru. A creamy green sauce of cilantro, jalapeño or aji amarillo, garlic, lime, and mayonnaise or queso fresco for body, popularized internationally alongside Peruvian rotisserie chicken (pollo a la brasa).

Flavor Profile: Bright, herbaceous, and creamy, with a moderate chili heat balanced by the fat from mayonnaise or cheese.

Culinary Uses: Standard accompaniment to pollo a la brasa; dipping sauce for fries and empanadas.

Regional Variations: Some versions use huacatay (Peruvian black mint) alongside or instead of cilantro for a more distinctive, minty-herbal note.

Storage: Refrigerate; keeps about a week given the dairy or mayonnaise base.