Cooking With Coriander

Coriander seeds are dried fruit of the plant called Cilantro, which is itself called coriander in many parts of the world.

Coriander seeds are regularly used in Indian, Latin American, Middle Eastern and African cuisine. Though they can be found in various recipes from other parts of the world.

Cilantro Plant With Flowers – Also Referred To As Mexican Parsley & Chinese Parsley

Ripe coriander seeds have a sweet, woody, spicy fragrance with peppery and floral notes. The taste is sweet, mellow and citrusy.

Cooking With Coriander

With most recipes you will want to toast your seeds first before adding them to the recipe. If you plan to pickle with them there is no need to toast them.

Heat is helpful for drawing out the seeds oils that are responsible for their flavor.

Dry-toasting coriander also allows the spice to take on a more robust floral aroma as the oils release from the seeds.

Follow these simple steps to toast your seeds.

Heat a skillet over medium heat.

Once hot, add the coriander seeds.

Toast, stirring and shaking the skillet often, for 2-3 minutes.

The seeds will deepen in color, become highly aromatic, and maybe even start popping or crackling.

Remove from heat, allow to cool completely before grinding them. While they are hot grinding them can introduce moisture which is not good for storing.

Ground coriander can last up to 6 months. Though the flavor will diminish over time. It is best to toast and grind your seeds when needed.

After toasting and grinding your seeds, they can blend with allspice, chili, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, basil, fennel, garlic, ginger, mace and nutmeg.

Read More Here – Mastering Spice Pairings For Flavorful Dishes

Coriander’s mellow, slightly citrusy and sweet flavor lends itself to both sweet and savory dishes. Including vinaigrettes, like this Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette.

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Use coriander with apples, plums, citrus fruit, mushrooms, potatoes, onions, pork, chicken and fish. Like this Baked Indian Spiced Salmon.

Baked Indian Spiced Salmon

Use your toasted coriander seeds to make a Classic Curry Paste and this Thai Red Curry With Chicken & Vegetables.

Thai Red Curry With Chicken & Vegetables

Tex-Mex style food from the southern United States uses coriander along with other Mexican ingredient influences. Like this Beef Steak Fajitas.

Beef Steak Fajitas

Here’s a savory Mediterranean breakfast dish to try with ground coriander and other spices like cloves, cumin, and sweet paprika – The Mediterranean Dish Shakshuka.