Happy Cinco de Mayo! What better day is there to discuss this herb so closely linked with Latin American food?

Personally, I love cilantro! I think it adds great flavor to a wide variety of meals. For those that don’t care for it, while I can’t say I understand, at least there is a possible explanation as to why you shouldn’t be faulted for your feelings. Apparently Cilantro is one of those items that is extremely polarizing, as evidenced by the Cilantro hate groups, such as http://www.ihatecilantro.com/ and the I Hate Cilantro Facebook group.  Apparently there are some sent molecules in Cilantro that aren’t far away on the chemical compound chart from those found in soap, hence the common complain from Cilantro haters that it tastes like soap.

Your dislike for Cilantro might not be your fault!

But, if your like me, you enjoy the flavor notes Cilantro adds to food, here are a few recipes featuring this unfairly maligned leaf of the Coriander plant.

Spicy Cilantro Pesto – Pesto is so versatile. It’s not just for pasta folks!

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette – Along with zesting up a salad, this would made a fabulous marinade also for chicken for fish!

Cilantro Lime Rice – I love an herby rice. Takes an otherwise boring grain and gives it some personality.

Here is a recap of some of last weeks posts, in case you missed them due to the nice weather calling you outside and away from the warm glow of your monitor.

Lots of recipes last week:

• Avocado & Mango Salsa
• 6 Ideas for Leftover Ham*
• Awesome Lemon Pepper Catfish
• Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

* I did make one of these last week, so keep your eye’s peeled for a review.

Continuing the Ham theme, there was the Bacon AT-AT and B-AK-47.

Also a heads up about a local Atlanta event for my friends into Hosting and Entertaining.

Since the weather is predicted to continue to be very pleasant for the next few days, I’m sure some of you will miss this post to, but really I can’t blame you. If I wasn’t chained to my cubicle I’d be right out there with ya!