Exploring the Versatile Use of Fresh Cilantro in Everyday Cooking

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Fresh cilantro is a versatile herb that can enhance a variety of dishes with its bright flavor. Whether you're preparing salsas and dips, soups and stews, salads, marinades and sauces, or rice and grain dishes, cilantro adds a distinctive and refreshing taste to your meals.

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1. Salsas and Dips

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Fresh cilantro can be used in a wide variety of salsas and dips to give your dishes that extra zing. Here are a couple of popular options:

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Pico de Gallo

r r Ingredients: Diced tomatoes, onions, jalape?o, lime juice, and chopped cilantror How to make: Combine all the ingredients and let it sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.r r r

Guacamole

r r Ingredients: Mashed avocados, lime juice, salt, diced onions, and chopped cilantror How to make: Mix all the ingredients and serve immediately with tortilla chips.r r r

2. Soups and Stews

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Cilantro can also be used to garnish soups or as an ingredient in various soups and stews:

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Garnish

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Sprinkle chopped cilantro over soups like tortilla soup or lentil stew for a fresh finish.

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Cilantro Lime Soup

r r Ingredients: Cilantro, chicken or vegetable broth, lime juice, and creamr How to make: Blend the ingredients together until smooth. Serve hot as a vibrant soup.r r r

3. Salads

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Cilantro can be added to salads to create a zesty and flavorful dressing or as a refreshing component:

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Cilantro Lime Dressing

r r Ingredients: Lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped cilantror How to make: Whisk the ingredients together until emulsified. Serve over your favorite greens.r r r

Chickpea Salad

r r Ingredients: Canned chickpeas, diced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantror How to make: Toss all the ingredients together for a refreshing side dish.r r r

4. Marinades and Sauces

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Cilantro can be used in marinades and sauces to add a burst of flavor:

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Cilantro Chimichurri

r r Ingredients: Cilantro, parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, and olive oilr How to make: Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Use as a marinade or sauce for grilled meats.r r r

Tacos and Burritos

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Incorporate cilantro into meat or bean mixtures for a tasty twist.

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5. Rice and Grain Dishes

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You can also add cilantro to rice and grain dishes for added flavor:

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Cilantro Lime Rice

r r Ingredients: Chopped cilantro and lime juicer How to make: Stir the ingredients into cooked rice. Serve as a flavorful side dish.r r r

Quinoa Salad

r r Ingredients: Cilantro, cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, diced bell peppersr How to make: Mix the ingredients together for a nutritious and refreshing salad.r r r

6. Stir-Fries and Curries

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Cilantro can be used as a garnish or as an ingredient in stir-fries and curries:

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Garnish

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Add fresh cilantro to stir-fries or curries just before serving to enhance the flavor.

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Cilantro Pesto

r r Ingredients: Cilantro, nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oilr How to make: Blend all the ingredients together until smooth. Use as a unique twist on traditional pesto.r r r

7. Sandwiches and Wraps

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Cilantro can also be used to create tasty spreads or as a topping:

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Fresh Herb Spread

r r Ingredients: Chopped cilantro, cream cheese or yogurtr How to make: Mix the ingredients together and spread on sandwiches or wraps.r r r

Toppings

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Use cilantro as a toppings for burgers or grilled chicken sandwiches.

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Tips for Using Cilantro

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To ensure that your cilantro stays fresh and flavorful, follow these storage tips:

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Storage

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Store cilantro in a glass of water in the refrigerator or wrap the stems in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag.

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Stems

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Don’t discard the stems; they are flavorful and can be used just like the leaves.

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Incorporating fresh cilantro into your cooking can elevate the flavors of many dishes. Feel free to experiment with it in various cuisines and recipes to discover new and delicious combinations!

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