What do I use the spice cliantro for. Can I freeze it or dry it to use in the future?!
What do I use the spice cliantro for. Can I freeze it or dry it to use in the future?
We belong to a farm co-op and in this weeks box was cilantro.
Answers: You can freeze it or dry it. I usually freeze mine in freezer bags to keep the freshness. It's used a lot in mexican dishes. It's great in salsa or pico de gallo. here are some recipes:
Pico de gallo:
1 medium white onion, diced
4 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
Combine ingredients in a large bowl; let stand at least 30 minutes at room temperature to let flavors develop. Serve; or store, covered in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Mexican Lasagna:
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
4 scallions, coarsely chopped
Coarse salt and ground pepper
10 ounces fresh baby spinach
Nonstick cooking spray
8 (6 inch) corn tortillas
1 (15.5 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup prepared salsa (mild or medium)
8 ounces pepper Jack cheese, grated
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a food processor, combine cilantro, scallions, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper with as much spinach as will fit; pulse, adding remaining spinach in batches, until coarsely chopped.
Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Lay 4 tortillas in bottom of dish (they will overlap slightly). Layer with half of beans, salsa, spinach mixture, and cheese; repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with cheese and pressing in gently.
Cover dish with foil; place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes; remove foil, and continue baking until golden, 15 to 20 minutes more. Cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Source(s):
http://food.yahoo.com/ put cilantro in homemade salsa, stir fry, fried rice, noodles/pasta dishes, and sauces. taste great. mix it into tomato,onion, and hot sauce or peppers for a quick salsa, just don't use a lot, cilantro has a very strong flavor. it is great on tacos, and chips, almost anything really.
i also use it with lemon and garlic and a little white wine as a marinade for chicken or fish. grill or bake it after you soak the meat for a while.
Cilantro is best used fresh but if you want to keep it longer, just wrap it up in a couple of paper towels and store in an airtight bag.. it should keep at least 10 days that way. I have never tried to freeze it. cilantro is used alot in spanish and mexican cuisines. it's always best fresh and its cheap to buy. it goes great with lime too.you can use cilantro in many different ways. guacomole, salsa, salad dressings, fish, and so much more. In general Cilantro and Coriander are the same herb, just different name. Nice peppery taste and looks similar to flat leaved parsley.
Coriander is often the name given to the spice, made from the seeds of the Cilantro plant.
Confused? Most of us are lol. Cilantro is actually the herb, coriander comes later after the plants have gone to seed, that is the spice. You can use it also in asian dishes, thai cooking as well as mexican or spanish dishes. It's great in chili, salsas, some soups, guacamole (yum!). It is very strong, so use a small amount to try to see if you like it. I believe it's an acquired taste, either you love it or you hate it. You can also dry the leaves as well as freeze. When they are dry, crumble into flakes and store in an airtight container. I personally don't like it, but you can use it in salsa. Also anywhere you like this flavor really. Taste it and judge for yourself.....it taste like soap to me so I don't eat it if I can help it.