Cilantro Sauce for Chilean Empanadas

GarlicQueen #1's Note:

I learned to make empanadas over 25 years ago from a Chilean friend. It's the empanada recipe that has beef, onions, garlic, hard-boiled eggs, raisins, etc. While I could find similar recipes for the empanadas on RecipeZaar, I could not find one for the sauce that you pour inside the empanada after baking it, and before eating it. And well...............that's just a shame! So I thought I'd post the one I was taught to make. After making this batch, I pour smaller servings into individual little bowls so each person can spoon a little sauce into their empanada before every bite. Please feel free to tweek according to taste. Also, we think this sauce tastes better the next day after making it. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 6-8

Yield: 3.0 cups

• 2 bunches cilantro
• 1 -2 bunch green onion
• garlic, lots
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (approximately 1/2 lemon)
• hot water
• hot sauce

Directions:

1. Chop cilantro and green onions.
2. Mince garlic.
3. Put chopped cilantro, green onions and minced garlic in a bowl.
4. Add oil and lemon juice.
5. Pour hot water over all to cover. (like the consistency of thick soup).
6. Add hot sauce to taste.
7. Add more lemon juice to taste if needed.
8. Let sit for about 5 minutes to soften vegetables.