Ingredient Profile: Cilantro

Cilantro (aka Chinese Parsley or Coriander leaves)

The first thing I was able to find out in my quest for cilantro knowledge was that it comes from the carrot family! How interesting! Cilantro is actually the leaf of the coriander plant, which grows wild in South East Europe, it is used throughout Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian dishes. For over 1000 years, coriander has been considered an aphrodisiac. The Chinese used (or still do, maybe?!) coriander in love potions and believed it provided immortality. Cilantro can be used as an appetite stimulant.

I use cilantro most in Mexican dishes. It can add a burst of color and flavor to tortilla soup, a yummy flavor to salsa or guacamole, and make a boring salad exciting! I always use fresh herbs, as they have the best (fresh) flavor and add some amazing aromas to the kitchen. In the freezer section of some grocery stores, they have frozen herbs (including cilantro, chives, and parsley), they are great to keep for when you're in a pinch and don't have fresh herbs to add to your meal. I'd recommend checking to see if they carry something like this at your local grocery store!

What is your favorite dish with cilantro?