The cilantro I used yesterday to make it came from my garden. I haven't planted said plant in two seasons.
I may never have to plant it again.
When I grew it in 2011 I let it go to seed, as one does when one wants coriander. I took the leaves fresh throughout the summer and harvested the seeds in the fall.
I had more than enough.
They're feisty things. Many seeds fall to the ground during harvest. It is pointless to pick them up so I let them stay knowing I could always take the new growth out when they sprouted in the spring.
When the inevitable happened I could not bring myself to rip them from the ground. They smell good, they taste good, and I love the fresh, clean taste of the leaves.
That said, I had no need of the leaves. I have two large freezer bags of them from two years ago
So they grew and I harvested the coriander I didn't need. I'm still using the seeds from a crop Mike grew 10 years ago.
More seeds fell last fall. I have a few random plants in with the chard and I cannot bring myself to rip them out. They smell good, they taste good, and I love the fresh, clean smell of the leaves this year as much as any other year.
To put them to good use I made a batch of the aforementioned pico de gallo. It's easy to put together, tastes great, and gives me an excuse to chop veggies.
I find it relaxing and even as I concentrate on what I am doing it frees a part of my mind to think of other things.
I am grateful for that, too.
Here's a pic of the pico.
I served it with gluten-free steak and bean enchilada casserole last night.
And I put more cilantro in the casserole.
If you're curious, I got the recipe from Pioneer Woman's site here.
11 comments:
Steak and bean enchilada casserole with homemade salsa? When can I come over for dinner???
Any time, Crabby.
Me too! Me too!
VL, love to have you.
Sounds fabulous, although I, personally, am not a huge cilantro fan.
Can't beat fresh salsa, though!
Do your neighbors, friends, and family need the extra cilantro and coriander seed? If i lived near, i'd be grateful right along with you for the stuff if you began giving away the excess, and they might feel the same.
It is/was, Bag Lady. Years ago I wasn't either, but then one day I discovered its charms and have been a cilantro user since.
Messymimi, if you were my neighbour I would give you all my extra cilantro/coriander.
Oh my! That looks delicious!
Betty, not to brag, but it totally was.
Well... I love just about every veggie and every herb I can think of. Except for cilantro. I would like to smell it the way others do - as a fresh herb but, to me, it tastes like burnt plastic. Not that I've ever sampled burnt plastic but I've smelled it, and cilantro smells and tastes like that to me. Others who dislike it think it tastes like soap. That would be an improvement for me. It's a semi-common aversion. I know there is some growing in my new garden-to-be. It must die!
It's truly a yes/no herb, Hilary. Love it or hate it. I've yet to meet anyone ambivalent about cilantro.
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