Cilantro

cilantro

cilantro [sih-LAHN-troh; see-LAHN-troh] The bright green leaves and
stems of the CORIANDER plant. Cilantro (also called Chinese parsley and
coriander ) has a lively, pungent fragrance that some describe as "soapy." It
is widely used in Asian, Caribbean and Latin American cooking and its
distinctive flavor lends itself to highly spiced foods. Cilantro can be found
year-round in most supermarkets and is generally sold in bunches. Choose
leaves with a bright, even color and no sign of wilting. Cilantro may be
stored for up to 1 week in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Or place the
bunch, stems down, in a glass of water and cover with a plastic bag, securing
the bag to the glass with a rubber band. Refrigerate, changing water every 2
or 3 days. Just before using cilantro, wash and pat dry with paper towels.
Both the leaves and relatively tender stems can be used in fresh or cooked
dishes.