Definition: Cilantro is an herb commonly found in Mexican dishes and salsas, and is sometimes referred to as Mexican parsley. It is actually related to coriander, which is the ground seed of the leafy cilantro plant.
Fresh cilantro has a pungent odor--it's one of those herbs that people either love, or intensely dislike.
Because so many of us in the Southwest love Mexican food, cilantro can normally be found fresh in local grocery stores. When buying cilantro, make sure the leaves are very green and fresh, and that they have a strong aroma. When you get the cilantro leaves home discard any wilted leaves, and put the good ones in a jar with water like a bunch of flowers. Cover the leaves with a plastic bag and put the jar in the refrigerator.
The botanical name for cilantro is Coriandrum sativum.
Pronunciation: sih-LAHN-troh
Also Known As: Coriander, Mexican parsley
