Imagine this: You have just created a gorgeous dish, heavenly scents swirl around you and everyone is rushing to the table and salivating. You reach into your fridge for a final dressing of cilantro, open the bag and find...cilantro sludge! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Instead of bright Kelly green happy leaves full of flavor Swamp Thing is lurking at the bottom of the bag.
If this has ever happened to you dear reader follow along, I may have a solution for you.
First, when shopping for cilantro, or any leafy herb or vegetable, obviously look for bright deep color and no visible signs of dark or discolored leaves.
Second, after years of banishment retailers have re-installed those ridiculous spray thingies that catch uninitiated shoppers with impromptu showers. They are trying to create an illusion of "fresh" greens but this constant dousing actually breaks down the integrity of leafy things. (Just think of the last time you couldn't bear to toss out the last serving of home grown lettuce lovingly dressed in your homemade vinaigrette and it turned to sludge by morning.) Sitting around in water is not good for green things...period...so look for water damage. It will look like pre-sludge, little dark spots. Find the best bunch and shake out as much water as possible. I often reach into the back of the pile to find any bunches that might be sheltered from the deluge.
As soon as you unpack your shopping prep the cilantro. Remove the band holding the stems together and pick through the bunch separating anything discolored or suspicious looking. Plunge the remaining stems in the cold water and swirl them around with your hands. Then if you have a salad spinner, go for it and spin out as much water as possible. If you do not have a spinner, drain the cilantro in a large colander in the fridge. Set the colander on a plate to catch the drips and let it drain for an hour.
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| My antique salad spinner |
Lastly, proper storage. If you have ever bought a salad mix you may have one of these "boxes". They are perfect for good greens storage so start stock piling right now. (I use them for all my garden greens.)
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| Recycled salad mix box--sparkling clean |
Lay a folded paper towel in the bottom of the box to catch and retain any residual moisture.
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| Fresh bed for fresh greens |
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| Happy cilantro, ready for action. |
If you don't have any recycled boxes any glass or plastic container with a lid will work. Just remember to make a lining with a paper towel.
It may sound like a lot of work but when it is done all at once it really does simplify things and you will have crisp foliage and stems full of flavor instead of scary slimy stinky compost.
If you love the zing of cilantro and are looking for a great recipe please clink on any of these links.
Some of these recipes are found on my bindweed farm blog, posted prior to my personality split.
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