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There is a local restaurant in Antigua Guatemala that we love. The food is not gourmet or cutting edge but it is nourishing and affordable, and the waitstaff are delightfully friendly too. They serve this “picante” with chicken dishes and I love it so much that I put it on eggs, and even stir it into Spaghetti Bolognese!
The tiny green chili used in Guatemala is called chiltepe (or chiltepín), It is a very spicy pepper that is small, round, and spherical, and it is used to add heat and flavor to many Guatemalan and Mexican dishes, particularly sauces and marinades. The peppers start green and ripen to a red color.
This recipe uses a food processor to easily blend the potent peppers into a creamy mayonnaise base.
Santa Clara Picante
Yields: About 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1 cup of your preferred mayonnaise (store-bought or homemade)
- 5 or less fresh green or red chiltepe peppers (use fewer for less heat). Note: I have used jalapeno peppers with or without seeds, depending on my whim, in the USA
- 1 small clove of garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons of fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro (optional for some, necessary for me)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Stem the chiltepe peppers. While it’s not necessary to remove the seeds from the tiny peppers, you can do so for a slightly milder sauce. I use gloves so my fingers do not burn
In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh chiltepe peppers, minced garlic, lime juice, and cilantro (if using). Pulse a few times until the peppers and herbs are finely chopped.
Add the mayonnaise to the food processor and blend until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
Taste the mayonnaise and add salt if needed. For extra heat, add another chiltepe pepper and blend again. For more tang, add a bit more lime juice.
Refrigerate for 30 min at least and store for up to a week.















