Heart-Healthy Aja Verde

Brighten up your meals with this vibrant and nutritious Heart-Healthy Aja Verde, a zesty green sauce packed with fresh herbs, leafy greens, and heart-friendly nuts. Featuring the bold flavors of cilantro, parsley, and baby spinach blended with raw almonds and walnuts for a creamy, nutrient-dense base, this recipe is elevated with a kick of green chili, tangy lime zest, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. The extra virgin olive oil ensures a silky smooth finish, while the garlic and spices add a punch of flavor. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, this versatile sauce is perfect as a topping for grilled vegetables, fish, or chicken, or as a dip for whole-grain crackers. Designed with heart health in mind, this Aja Verde is as wholesome as it is delicious, and it stores beautifully in the fridge for up to a week—making it a go-to for flavorful, guilt-free meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 0.5 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 cup Baby spinach
• 0.25 cup Raw almonds
• 0.25 cup Raw walnuts
• 0.3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 1 Green chili, seeded and chopped
• 1 Lime, juice and zest
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Water

Directions

Step 1

Begin by soaking the raw almonds and walnuts in warm water for about 10 minutes. This helps to soften them for easier blending and enhances nutrient absorption.

Step 2

After soaking, drain the nuts and transfer them to a blender or food processor.

Step 3

Add the cilantro, parsley, baby spinach, and garlic cloves to the blender.

Step 4

Add the chopped green chili (adjust amount based on desired spice level), lime juice and zest, and apple cider vinegar.

Step 5

Pour in the extra virgin olive oil and add the salt and black pepper.

Step 6

Blend the mixture on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until a smooth, creamy consistency is achieved.

Step 7

Pause the blender, scrape down the sides if necessary, and add water to help achieve a thinner consistency if desired. Blend again for a smoother finish.

Step 8

Taste the Aja Verde and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lime juice as necessary.

Step 9

Once blended to your liking, transfer the Aja Verde to a glass jar or airtight container.

Step 10

This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Serve as a topping for grilled veggies, fish, chicken, or as a delicious, heart-healthy dip.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	721.3 grams (721.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1138

Total Fat 108.50g	139%
Saturated Fat 13.00g	65%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.30g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1323mg	58%
Total Carbohydrate 46.90g	17%
Dietary Fiber 22.90g	82%
Total Sugars 10.70g
Protein 23.40g	47%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 572mg	44%
Iron 16mg	91%
Potassium 2297mg	49%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 77.6%

Protein: 7.4%

Carbs: 14.9%