Dear Cooks:
I have a lot of recipes that require using Coriander seeds and have been buying them for awhile. Then I noticed chefs on TV such as yourself using Cilantro for recipes as well; so I picked some of that up. I have both in my cabinet and was wondering what the difference in their uses are.
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Jason Miller
Dear Jason,
Thanks for your question. There is actually no difference between coriander and cilantro - they are the same plant. The herb is also known as Chinese parsley. The plant itself is a coriander plant - the coriander seeds that you have been buying are the dried seeds of the plant and the fresh cilantro you buy in the produce section of the supermarket is the fresh leafy green leaves and stems of the plant. You can also buy dried cilantro leaves in the spices aisle, but the flavor is not as strong as the fresh herb.
Fresh cilantro is aromatic and citrusy and should be added at the end of cooking time - it is also frequently used in fresh salsas. Coriander seeds, as they are dried, have a warmer, spicier flavor and are best in sauces, curries and stews. Although they come from the same plant, they have totally different flavors. Cilantro and coriander seeds are not interchangeable, so we don’t recommend using one in place of the other.
09.26.08 @ 9:57 am
Important cilantro tip… Only chop it right when you are ready to use it. I have seen posts and heard people say cilantro tastes like dishsoap! That happens if you chop it and let it sit too long. I’m sure there are others who have been turned off by the herb unknowingly which is just tragic!
09.26.08 @ 2:18 pm
Rachael
I love to cook. I am 57. I’m home permanently disabled. So I am taking up cooking again (lucky husband, not)-he is meat and potatoes.
The trouble I’m having (other than the small frying pans around town)-I keep picking spices I think have 1 flavor and it ends up not tasting like I thought. Where can I find out what a spice taste like or actually what flavor it will end up tasting like. You say a smokey falvor or a cityrusy flavor,daaaaaaaa.
I thought smokey paparika would just be spicey smokey flavor. When you add to something and it is differant than just tasting it. I have ra and how can I chop. I tried the electric chopper, it turned out minced.
Thank you
Kathy Lochhead
Aurora, co.
09.26.08 @ 5:21 pm
Cilantro does taste like soap, i’ve eaten just a leaf of it in my culinary arts class and i find it to have a soapy flavor. It may just be me but who knows. I’m not a fan of it but I don’t mind coriander if used right.
09.26.08 @ 6:30 pm
I watched your show about the family with 6 children and how hard they were finding it to make ends meet. My background is similar, when our chiodren wee small we struggled with the same things. One thing I noticed that seems to be a common thread with a lot of people is that no one seems to have a garden. Dig up your back yard and feed your kids. I think that my kids would not like fresh vegatables as much as they do were it not for the fact that I had a garden. They are both gardeners now too. Kids love to watch things grow and this is a great opportunity for mom to teach her kids about freezing and canning. There were many a time that those canned fruits and frozen vegetables really added to a winter meal. All I can say is a garden will bennefit you and your family much more than a lawn will.
09.27.08 @ 8:45 am
Hi Rach!!
I don’t drink or even EVER buy alcohol.So could
you give an alternative to use in recipes so I can use it instead of wine, beer, etc. Thanks.
09.28.08 @ 9:09 pm
Can you tell me how to deep fry dill pickles. They use the spears.
09.29.08 @ 12:14 pm
Sylvia!
Im so glad you posted this! I have no answers, but I was wondering the same things myself.. not knowing what to substitue or knowing IF I can substitute for alcohol has led me to not try a good many recipes… Im looking forward to what our answer(s) will be!
09.29.08 @ 12:20 pm
i love you rachel so does my mom
09.29.08 @ 8:58 pm
I HAVE A ? FOR RACHAEL. ALL THE COOKING SHOWS INCLUDING YOURS ALWAYS HAVE A OINCH BOWL OF SALT TO USE FOR COOKING WHAT KIND OF SALT IA IT REGULAR TABLE SALT, SEA SALT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS JUDIE
09.30.08 @ 4:26 am
My question is how do I get tickets 4 your show
09.30.08 @ 4:30 am
MY comment is it preper to look at recipe while u prepare it
09.30.08 @ 10:01 am
HI RACHAEL I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT DID YOUR EEOO STAND FOR AGAIN BECAUSE I FORGOT? THANKS!
09.30.08 @ 1:41 pm
HI RACHAEL, WE WENT TO MAGGIANO’S AND HAD A 6 CHEESE CHEESECAKE. WHAT CHEESES DO YOU THINK THEY USED IN THIS FANTASTIC CHEESECAKE?
09.30.08 @ 8:06 pm
In response to Nicole; it’s EVOO and stands for extra-virgin olive oil.
Best regards,
Svava.
10.01.08 @ 8:55 am
Help! I am a diabetic and have to watch my carbs closely. Is there any possibility of having nutritional values available for your recipes?
10.01.08 @ 4:00 pm
Hi! Rach! My husband and I are big on fried potatoes and fried chicken. How do i keep from them sticking to the pan? The potatoes usually end up in mini pieces and the chicken usually doesnt have any skin left. Thanks!
10.01.08 @ 4:43 pm
Hi Rachel-
I have a knitting group who meets once a month.
I try one of your entrees for them for lunch on that day. We haven’t had one, we haven’t really enjoyed. One of the ladies asked what I was making this month as they bring the sides and desserts. Told them had to watch Rachel for a recipe.
Thanks for all the good ideas and recipes!
10.01.08 @ 9:49 pm
Hi Rachel Your show is aired in New Zealand every morning at 8 30 I start work at 10am so I veg out over brekkie and watch you cooking. I’ve tried so many of your recipes and you right they are yum even hubby now switches over to channel 3 to watch whats for dinner tonight kids,keep up the excellent show and look after your voice….ps eat lickerish it will sooth your throught
10.03.08 @ 11:28 am
AFTER READING MANY OF THIS COMMENTS I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE CILANTRO, I LOVE CILANTRO, IM NOT A BIG FAN OF PARSLEY SO CILANTRO WORKS GREAT IT HAS THIS CITRUSY KICK TO IT. I REALLY ENJOY IT IN CHICHEN BROTH.
10.03.08 @ 12:17 pm
Hey Rachael
Thanks for your show.
I am danish and wondered what Cilantro is. After reding all the comments here, I found out that it´s just fresh Coriander.
Thanx for your show. I allways watch in the nighttime here in DK…
Gitte
10.03.08 @ 10:14 pm
hey i have a grama who LUVS your show.shes going to go in to surgery.the only thing she worrys about is if she can still watch your show .funny huh yeah i wish i can get some tickets to go to your show but we dont have money.I want at least 3 tickets,4 my mom GRAMA,and me.
10.05.08 @ 3:58 pm
hey rach! i lve all the way in jamaica and i totally adore you and love your show it comes on at eight(8am) and i wake up every morning in time to make breakfast and veg out in front of the Tv.keep up the excellent work and stay grounded it suites you. Ps. i would love to see you try to cook more caribbean or jamaican food.if you havent tried u should sometime! luv yah!
10.06.08 @ 3:09 pm
what is the difference between paprika and smoked paprika? Thanks
10.06.08 @ 5:16 pm
Help!!! I just cut some hot peppers and accidently touched my face- AGAIN! Other than wearing gloves when I cut them, how do I get the oils off my hands and/ or is there a remedy to make the burning go away other than time? Thanks
10.07.08 @ 12:34 pm
Hey Rachel!! I was just gonna say that I love your show I’m 18 and you’ve inspired be to be a chef and I’m starting next semester. Thanks so much for everything, keep up the astounding work. Luv ya Amber;)