Upgrade your salads with this game-changing ingredient
What's the story
Cilantro, or coriander leaves, is one of the most versatile herbs used in cuisines globally.
Its fresh and citrusy flavor can uplift a variety of dishes, making it a go-to herb for home cooks.
Whether you want to add a zing of freshness to your meals or experiment with new dishes, cilantro can be an excellent addition.
Here are five ways you can use fresh cilantro in your cooking routine.
Salad boost
Add to salads for extra flavor
Adding fresh cilantro to salads is an effortless way to enhance their flavor.
Just chop the leaves and sprinkle them on your salad for an extra burst of flavor.
Cilantro goes well with tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocados. It can even accompany dressings made with lime juice or olive oil.
This simple addition can turn a basic salad into a more colorful and tastier dish.
Salsa twist
Use in homemade salsa
Fresh cilantro is an essential ingredient in most salsa recipes.
To prepare homemade salsa, mix chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and cilantro with lime juice and salt.
The cilantro gives a refreshing note that cuts the heat from the peppers as well as the acidity of the tomatoes.
This homemade salsa can be served with tortilla chips or used as a topping for grilled veggies.
Soup enrichment
Enhance soups and stews
Adding fresh cilantro to soups and stews, just before serving, can amp up their aroma and taste.
Cilantro works especially well with vegetable-based soups or those with beans or lentils.
Stirring in chopped cilantro, at the end of cooking, retains its bright flavor while lending depth to the dish's overall profile.
Marinade magic
Create flavorful marinades
Cilantro makes for the perfect base to create marinades that infuse a burst of flavor into vegetables before they're cooked.
Just mix freshly-chopped cilantro with tangy lime juice, the strong flavor of garlic, drizzled olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste, and you have a simple but effective marinade ready.
This one works particularly well with vegetables that are going on the grill or into the oven, ensuring they're flavorful and aromatic.
Smoothie surprise
Blend into smoothies
For those who love playing with flavors in their smoothies, fresh cilantro can be an exciting option.
Blend it with fruits like pineapple or mangoes, and add some spinach for an extra nutrient boost, if you like.
This fusion gives you unique green smoothies loaded with nutrients, with a refreshing taste without being overly sweet.
It's a simple way to add a new flavor dimension to your smoothie routine.