Cilantro, or coriander leaf and Asian parsley as it is also widely known, is a herb commonly used in Latin and Southwestern cooking. Cilantro leaves grow from planted coriander seeds. Coriander seeds and cilantro, even though they are directly related, have remarkably different flavors when they are cooked.
Cilantro has a mild peppery taste that adds a distinct flavor to the dishes it is used in. In many Mexican dishes, especially in salsa and the tomato garnish called Pico de Gallo, cilantro is the key ingredient. Fresh cilantro gives those dishes their distinct and extremely popular flavors.
Cilantro, when cooked, has a very unique and pungent flavor and is not for everyone. For those who love it, however, the use of the herb knows no boundaries. It is often used in garden salads, salad dressings, marinades, pesto, soups, salsa, and seafood dishes.
Cilantro is also building a reputation for its many fringe health benefits. More than just a great source for dietary fiber, vitamin A and iron, this unassuming looking little green has been been linked to unexpectedly big health benefits. For example, various studies have tagged cilantro for its ability to fight bacteria that cause urinary tract infections and food borne illness, such as salmonella. Cilantro has also been noted in scientific studies as an able chelating agent. Chelating agents bind to heavy metals and aid in removing those substances, such as mercury, from the body.
Diabetics who have used the herb in their diet regularly noted a decrease in blood sugar levels. Cilantro has also been linked with lowering levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol. Finally, cilantro has also been flagged as a digestive aid and been recognized for its flatulence reducing properties. I think we all know someone who can benefit from this cilantro super power!
Fresh cilantro is readily accessible is most grocery produce aisles. For places where it is not, it is simple to grow in your herb garden.
Here are some simple cilantro recipes for you to try.
Tasty Cilantro Vegetable Stew
- 2 cups sliced carrots
- 1 cup chopped red onion
- 2 cups sliced celery
- 1 cup chopped bell pepper
- 1 1/2 cups chopped potato
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup fresh, coursely chopped cilantro
- a few fresh celery leaves
1. Bring the chicken broth to a boil.
2. Add all vegetables and the herbs to the broth.
3. Cook at a soft boil until the vegetables are tender.
4. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy.
Pico De Gallo
- 2 cups chopped, seeded tomato
- 1 cup chopped white onion
- 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh, coursely chopped cilantro
- a dash of garlic powder
- a dash of salt
1. Mix together all ingredients.
2. Chill for at least one hour for the flavors to marry.
Pico De Gallo is fantastic served with tortillas chips as a dip or served on top of eggs.
