cutting fresh cilantro...?

Question

i was wondering how do you chop fresh cilantro? do you just use the leaves or is part of the stem included??

Answer 1

Wash the cilantro thoroughly. Then place bunch on cutting board. Cut strips through the cilantro to release aroma and flavor, then use butcher knife to chop cilantro into small pieces. Be careful not to slice your fingers. I use the leaves and also the stems. I cut the very end off the bottom of the stems when I am washing it. Then I begin my chopping process. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I usually bunch the cilantro up as even as possible and then chop away. I chop down to where the majority of the stems are bare of leaves. I just toss the stems but a couple of little pieces along with the leaves don't change the flavor but, can be a little stringy if the plants were older.

I have a few Latin friends who use the stems as well. The chop them up along with the leaves...want not, waste not.

Answer 3

Cilantro is traditionally used to balance a spicy dish. For instance if you are making a spicy guacamole you would throw in some cilantro and it would cool it down some. The way to prepare cilantro is to wash it VERY well (I soak it) there is a lot of sand in it. You can pick off leaves if you want, I usually cut off the stems really close to the leaves, which gets rid of most of the stems. My Awesome Guacamole Recipe (I like it really smooth) 2 avocados 1 jalapeno juice of 1 lime handful of cilantro salt and pepper to taste Blend jalapeno until chopped add avocado until blended add cilantro until chopped then add lime juice while blending. Consistency should be really smooth - great with steak!

Answer 4

Just trim the stem ends a bit and then you can use the whole lot - leaves and stems included (as long as the stems are not too woody, which is rarely the case).

Answer 5

Leaves? Stems? Just chop and enjoy.

Answer 6

Sure, a few stems are just fine, no big deal!
But you're not asking only about trimming.
Roll up the leaves and stems like a tight cigarette or tortilla, just do it, and chiffonade the darn things!
.

Answer 7

Generally, you just use the leaves. There's nothing wrong with the stems, but the flavour is in the leaves.

Answer 8

cut the long part of the stem off but the rest is ok to use you can remove it if u like but its not necessary.

Answer 9

i use all the leaves and a little bit of the top part of the stem...but yeah all the flavor is in the leaves . its all edible though

Answer 10

My mexican m-i-l used everything but the very end of the stem. It went into bean soup at the very end of cooking time.

tX Mom