As spring passes gracefully into summer, it’s time to embrace refreshing new flavors in your cooking! That’s why Mahatma® Rice is glad to inspire you with recipes that feature a very special ingredient: cilantro! This fragrant, citrusy herb adds a new dimension to rice recipes. From the best ingredients to pair with cilantro, to classic cilantro lime rice recipes, we’ve got you covered. So, join us as we take you through a whole host of cilantro recipes to wow your family!
Cilantro 101
Cilantro is a herb that belongs to the parsley family. It has a pungent, floral aroma with lemony and peppery undertones. Cilantro seeds, better known as coriander, are also used in cooking and have a similarly sweet, citrusy taste. Cilantro is a versatile ingredient which can be added to meals during cooking, or afterwards as a fresh and herbaceous topping. When cooked, its flavor becomes more subtle and blends well with other ingredients. When added in its raw form, the leaves retain their potent aroma, bringing its flavor to the fore of any dish.
How to Cut Cilantro
Having the right chopping technique can help you maximize the flavor potential of fresh cilantro in your meals. Here are a few key tips to get you started.
- Wash cilantro prior to cooking by placing it in a bowl of cold water and gently swishing it around to remove any dirt.
- Dry your cilantro prior to cutting. Lay the cilantro leaves over a towel and gently dab them to remove any moisture.
- Gather the stems in tightly and fold the leaves inwards to make the herbs compact and easy to cut.
- Using a chef’s knife, chop finely until you reach the stems.
- Chef’s tip: Cilantro stems are also edible and can be chopped and added to recipes if called for.
How to Store Cilantro
Like most herbs, cilantro is best served fresh. However, if you’ve bought a little more cilantro than you need there’s no need to discard it. Place the cilantro stalks in a jar of water, but ensure the leaves are not submerged. Cover the leaves with a plastic storage bag and keep them in the fridge for up to a week.
Best Ingredients to Pair with Cilantro
Cilantro is an ingredient that works well in a wide range of dishes. Here are a few of the most popular ingredients for pairing with cilantro.
- Ginger
- Lemon
- Lime
- Mint
- Dill
- Cardamom
- Oregano
- Sweet fruits
Filling Rice Dishes with Cilantro
Now that we’ve got the low-down on cooking with cilantro, let’s dive into some recipes! If you’re looking for a rice meal that’s both satisfying and easy to make, this Green Goddess Rice Salad is the perfect option. Made with Mahatma® Jasmine Rice and topped with salmon or chicken depending on your preference, it’s a dish elevated by addition of fresh and fragrant cilantro leaves.
How to Cook Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice is a unique and flavorful dish which is especially popular in Mexican cuisine. Made with simple ingredients like rice, cilantro, lime, and spices, it offers a fresh and tangy twist to traditional rice recipes. The fresh and zesty flavors of cilantro and lime combined with fluffy rice have captured the taste buds of many food enthusiasts. To kick things off, let’s look at how you can make delicious cilantro lime rice from scratch.
Ingredients for Making Cilantro Lime Rice
The key to making cilantro lime rice at home lies in selecting the right ingredients that complement each other perfectly. From the type of rice you choose to the fresh flavors you infuse, each component plays a crucial role in achieving a mouthwatering dish. First off, here are some of the best rice options to use in cilantro lime rice recipes.
- Basmati
- Jasmine
- White Rice
- Brown Rice
Although there are plenty of rice varieties that work well with cilantro lime rice, it’s best to choose fragrant options like these. In this Cilantro Lime Rice, you’ll love how the flavors of cilantro and lime infuse Mahatma® Jasmine Rice to make a dish that’s not only authentic and delicious, but also easy to make! All you need is fresh cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, salt, and olive oil to achieve the perfect cilantro lime rice meal. Served as a side dish or a main, it’s guaranteed to please everyone at your dining table.
Pairing Cilantro Lime Rice with Main Courses
Now that you’ve got to grips with cooking cilantro lime rice, let’s look at ways you can use it in main course meals. As a modern staple of Mexican cuisine, cilantro lime rice works well in a whole range of meals. In this Cilantro Rice Taco Bowl it serves as a fragrant base that complements the succulent chicken breast, pinto beans, and avocado in this recipe. Similarly, if you want to take your rice bowl recipes to the next level, then this delicious Tex Mex Rice Bowl might be just for you. Made with Ready to Heat Mahatma® Cilantro Lime Rice is a Mexican classic you can whip up in just 15 minutes.
Alternatively, for lovers of burritos, this Turkey and Cilantro Lime Rice Burrito recipe is guaranteed to satisfy!
#Playwithyourfood
At Mahatma Rice, we believe that food brings people together. That’s why we encourage you to have fun in the kitchen and #playwithyourfood. For more culinary inspiration, be sure to check out our blog.
