Cilantro: Cilantro leaves are rich in vitamin C, they contain antibacterial properties and can be used as a fungicide. They aid the digestive system by simulating the secretion of gastric juices. Cilantro is an excellent blood and lymphatic cleanser. Most importantly they have been shown to help remove mercury, lead and aluminum from the bones, brain and nervous system. Mercury can be found is some of the fish we eat, in some dental fillings, and in some of the products we use. By eating a minimum of 1 tsp a day we can help to detoxify these metals from our system. Check out the back page for some ideas on how get eating more cilantro. Cilantro is best known for its addition to Mexican and Asian foods, essential to Mexican salsas, Chinese dim sum, Indian curries and Thai cuisine. Combine cilantro, garlic, chilies and lime juice to create a marinade for fish, chicken and vegetables. It also pairs well with avocado, coconut milk, corn, cucumbers, seafood, vegetables, lemons, and rice.
Try using cilantro with the following herbs and spices: garlic, basil, chili, chives, dill, ginger, lemon grass, mint and parsley.
Bow Thai Pasta With Shrimp
By Rhonda ParkinsonIngredients:
· 5 stalks Green garlic
· 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
· 1 bunch fresh cilantro, stemmed
· 1/4 cup dry-roasted peanuts
· 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
· 1/2 cup peanut oil
· 8 ounces bow tie pasta
· 12 ounces cooked peeled deveined medium shrimp
· 1 shallot chopped
· 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Preparation:
Pesto: In a blender (food proccesser) add green garlic, ginger, cilantro, peanuts and red pepper. Gradually add oil. Season to taste with salt. (Can be prepared up to 1 day ahead of time). Cover and refrigerate.
Bring pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until just tender. Place shrimp in colander. Pour pasta into colander. Return shrimp and pasta to pot. Add pesto sauce , onions, and lime juice. Toss to coat.
Serves 2
Carrot Salad with Lime Cilantro
from marquitafarms.com
-4 med. carrots
-1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
-1/8 tsp. cilantro leaves chopped
-2 tbsp. vegetable oil
–1 tsp. cilantro sprigs
Finely shred carrots and toss together with remaining ingredients, salt and pepper to taste. Garnished with cilantro.
Feature on Cilantro
For this amazingly healthy herb try adding it to your smoothies, salads, topped on nearly any dish or for the brave try cilantro tea.
Cilantro Slaw
from marquitafarms.com
- 5 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup cilantro leaves minced
- ½ cup lime juice
- 1 tbsp. each water and honey
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- salt and pepper to taste
In a bowl, mix all ingredients together.
Cilantro Pesto
simplyrecipes.com
Ingredients
· 2 cups, packed, of cilantro, stems removed
· ½ cup blanched almonds
· 1/4 cup chopped red onion (shallots)
· ½ teaspoon chopped, seeded chile pepper
· 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
· 1/4 cup olive oil
- I would add 1 clove garlic
Method
In a food processor, pulse the cilantro, almonds, onion, chile, garlic and salt until well blended. With the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream. Add more oil as needed for your use. Whatever you don’t use, you can freeze.
BOB’S FABULOUS YUMMY MARINADE
from marquitafarms.com
(For tofu, meats, noodles or rice, salad dressing)
5 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/3 cup packed cilantro with stems
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup tamari soy sauce
1 oz. fresh ginger
6 lg. cloves garlic
1 ½ tbsp. ground cumin
jalepeno or other chile optional
Combine and blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender until the chile, garlic, ginger and cilantro are finely chopped.
Lime Cilantro Butter
(great on fish, corn or anywhere you use butter)
Ingredients
· 1 cup unsalted butter
· 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
· 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
· 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
· salt to taste
In a mixing bowl, cream butter. Mix in cilantro, lime juice, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt to taste. Cover, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Cilantro Salad
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 tbsp. grated peeled fresh ginger
3 heads lettuce hearts, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Whisk first 3 ingredients in small bowl to blend. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Combine mixed greens and cilantro in large bowl. Toss salad with enough dressing to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Black Beans with Garlic, Cumin & Cilantro
1 can black beans (16 to 19 oz.)
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp. ground cumin
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/3 cup tomato juice or water
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
Rinse black beans and drain. Chop garlic. In a nonstick skillet cook garlic and cumin in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant. Add black beans, juice or water, and salt and cook, stirring, until beans are heated through. Stir in cilantro.
Fresh Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
3 Tbsp finely chopped onion
2 small cloves garlic, minced
3 large rip tomatoes, peeled, seeds removed & chopped
2 hot chile peppers, Serrano or Jalapeno, finely chopped
2 to 3 tbsp of minced cilantro
1 1/2 to 2 tbsp lime juice
Salt and pepper for seasoning
Directions
Put chopped onioin and garlic in a strainer; pour 2 cups boiling water over them then let drain thoroughly. Discard water. Cool.
Combine onions and garlic with chopped tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hour to blend flavours. Makes about 2 cups of salsa. Enjoy!
