To cilantro or not to cilantro? Cilantro is an herb that is either adored by those whom love it or it is highly disliked by others. Me personally; I adore cilantro! This fragrant herb is a flavor contributor to many of my recipes. It adds a vibrant fresh flavor that is unmatched. However, it is a powerful herb that does pack a flavor punch so a little bit goes a long way. Much like salt, my advice is to add cilantro to your preferred taste when incorporating it within your recipes. Start with a little and then add cilantro while you continue to cook, as desired.
Cilantro is currently in season! It is ideal to plant it in late January or early February for a nice harvest come April and May but, it is not too late to plant it in March or April. So, go for it! Most local garden nurseries will have cilantro available throughout the spring season since cilantro thrives in temperatures that are between 55 and 85 degrees. It does not like the triple digit heat. It will burn up. Ekk! This fact really hurts my heart since I am from South Texas. The solution to this short lived harvest season in the south would be to harvest as much cilantro as possible during the peak harvest season and freeze it. Do not bother hang drying cilantro because it will loose much of it’s flavor, whereas, freezing cilantro will preserve it’s robust flavor!
How do we incorporate cilantro within our weekly recipes? Well, being I am from South Texas cilantro is a “staple herb” in my kitchen. I use it within my weekly weeknight taco meat recipes, as well as, within charro beans, fresh pico de gallo, and I have even had chopped cilantro over salted watermelon; talk about a burst of fresh flavors! Delish. Especially on a hot summer day. I have listed some recipe ideas below for you to put cilantro to use within your own kitchen! Lastly, I recommend including the cilantro stems when chopping up your cilantro, not just the leaves. The stems add a nice crunchy texture to whatever recipe you are adding cilantro to. I hope this information encourages you, “to cilantro!”
Cilantro recipe ideas…
Pico De Gallo
Various Salsas
Ground Taco Meat
Taco Soup
Guacamole Dip
Mini Street Tacos Garnish
Charro Beans OR Borracho Beans
Various Fresh Summer Salads
Sandwiches
Summer Fruit Tray Garnish
Homemade Cilantro Ranch Dressing
Cilantro-Lime Rice
Cucumber Cilantro Margarita
Non-alcohol Cilantro Garden Spritz
Let me leave you with this fun fact; cilantro is considered to be a short lived annual herb, meaning it only has one cycle per year, and the cycle time is limited. However, to my surprise this spring, my cilantro from last year came back! I was amazed and baffled! This is due to the cilantro self-seeding. If you allow cilantro to produce flowers, further letting those flowers dry up, and fall in your garden bed… I bet you will have cilantro make a surprise visit next spring without the expense of purchasing new cilantro seeds or a new cilantro plant.
“I pray that the God (Yahweh) who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in Him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
