Ingredient Of The Week: Cilantro

Cilantro. The mere thought of it sends my tastebuds into a frenzy. As a child I wasn't quite sure what it was that made my mothers savory dishes so delicious. I knew it had to be something but I just couldn't figure it out. Her meat sauce didn't taste the same as the recipe my friends parents were making. Her roasts always had this perfectly balanced essence that made it better than anything I could order in a restaurant. But it wasn't until I was older and began to cook along side her that it all became clear.

This, my dear reader, is cilantro. As a Puerto Rican woman, my mother uses this in almost every savory dish she ever concocted. A guest in our home may not have known, but they definitely would have recognized a unique flavor. My mother is a firm believer in almost every savory dish being the perfect opportunity to pull out the container of homemade sofrito. Now, living in New Hampshire at the time, we may not have been able to get the exact ingredients as it would have been made on the island (unless they were shipped to us by either of my abuelas) but it was as close as you could get in a small Northwest town. This flavor profile would shape my view of the way a meal should be seasoned.

I love cilantro to a degree that some may find odd. I like it so much I put it in most things just as my mother does and my abuelas do. You would be surprised how adding a couple of spoons full of sofrito while browning meat for a simple spaghetti & meat sauce dinner can change the depth of the flavors.

But enough about my handy "season-all" sauce. There are so many great dishes out there that use cilantro as either the main herb or at least a supporting role. As with most herbs, you can ususally find fresh cilantro any time of year, making it a good choice for a quick flavor booster to a simple meal.

Here are a few dishes that incorporate cilantro with links to the recipes:

Tomato Cilantro Soup

Skirt Steak With Cilantro Garlic Sauce

Chilaquiles Verdes - a personal note on chilaquiles: The first time I had Chilaquiles was in my mid 20's. I was in a Mexican restaurant in Las Vegas and it just sounded interesting to me. Which is odd because it didn't seem to have anything to it. I had it with two overeasy eggs on top for brunch that day and I was officially hooked. I don't know what it is with this dish, but it is something that, surprisingly, I find myself craving occasionally.

Cucumber Raita

Rib-Eye & Roasted Tomato Sandwich : This recipe is just awesome. No better way to say it. It's not for those looking for a light meal, but I have been known to split one with the hubby and have my half with a salad for something lighter but still ridiculously indulgent.

Scallops with Cilantro Sauce & Asian Slaw - I love that my favorite herb is versatile enough to be used in Asian meals as well. Yummy!

While these are just a small sampling of dishes I recommend be sure that there are endless possibilities. Latin American cuisine, Asian dishes, Indian meals, and even spicing up your standard American cuisine, cilantro can add spunk to many savory meals.

Enjoy!

-L