When it comes to cilantro, either people love it or hate it. For some people, cilantro tastes like soap. For other people, cilantro is a must-have garnish. There are even some people who put fistfuls of this aromatic herb into soups.
Also known as Chinese parsley, cilantro contains a high amount of antioxidant content. The leaves have been found to have an antibacterial effect against Salmonella. And some studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like cilantro reduces diabetes, reduces heart disease, and reduces the risk of obesity, while promoting healthy hair and skin, boosting energy, and lowering overall weight.
Cilantro is a good source of minerals, including calcium (important for the formation of bones and for the release of hormones), iron (important for red blood cell production), magnesium (important for blood glucose control, for blood pressure, and for muscle and nerve function), and potassium (important for cells, for heart rate, and for blood pressure).
Cilantro is a great ingredient to add to vegetable dips, to use as a topping for soups and Southwestern-style burgers, and to add to lettuce wraps. It’s time to put cilantro lime shrimp, grilled corn with lime cilantro wasabi butter, and coriander chicken cutlets with cilantro lemon sauce on the menu!