When cooking or making soup at home, we often add a bit of cilantro for flavor. But many people can't stand the taste of cilantro, just like how many can't stand durian.You might not realize it, but eating a bit of cilantro offers significant benefits!
Nutritional Value of Cilantro
1. Vitamin C
Cilantro is rich in vitamin C and potassium, which help lower blood lipids, dilate blood vessels, increase coronary blood flow, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, and soften blood vessels. These effects contribute to preventing atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Cilantro contains significantly more vitamin C than most vegetables. Just 7–10 grams of cilantro leaves can meet the average person's daily vitamin C requirement.
2. Carotene
Cilantro is packed with carotene, which effectively protects the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract. It helps prevent bacterial and viral infections, thereby boosting the body's immune system.
The carotene content in cilantro is over ten times higher than that in tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, and similar vegetables.
3. Essential Oils
Cilantro contains various essential oils like mannitol and linalool, which stimulate saliva production, accelerate gastrointestinal motility, and boost appetite. Adding cilantro to certain dishes also uniquely eliminates fishy or gamey odors while enhancing flavor.
4. Vitamin A
The vitamin A and vitamin C in cilantro regulate the synthesis of retinal photoreceptors, alleviating eye fatigue and preventing dry eye syndrome and night blindness.
5. Niacin
Cilantro contains niacin, which combats pellagra, dilates blood vessels, promotes blood circulation, and lowers blood pressure.
How to Prepare Cilantro?
1. Steamed Cilantro Meatballs
1. Cut pork into chunks and grind into mince in a food processor. Add minced ginger and salt.
2. Mix in water-starch solution until well combined.
3. Stir the mince in one direction until it becomes sticky and elastic.
4. Finely chop cilantro and mix into the meat mixture.
5. Shape the mixture into balls by hand and place in a container.
6. Once all balls are formed, add shredded ginger and ground pepper.
7. Wash cilantro roots and add to the container (don't discard them—they add great flavor to soups!).
8.Then add water along the edge of the container. Steam over high heat for 10 minutes.
9. After steaming, sprinkle with scallions and drizzle with a little sesame oil before serving.
2. Peanuts with Coriander
Method:
1. Rinse peanuts in water, drain thoroughly, then stir-fry in a heated pan until dry.
2. Add blended oil and fry slowly. Remove when slightly golden.
3. While frying peanuts, wash and chop coriander, mince garlic, and set aside.
4. Add coriander to the mixture and stir until well combined.
5. Shape the mixture into balls with your hands and place in a container.
6. Once all are formed, add shredded ginger and ground pepper.
7. Add washed coriander roots (don't discard them—they add great flavor to the soup!)
8.
2. Pour in blended oil and slowly fry until slightly golden, then remove.
3. While frying peanuts, wash and chop cilantro, mince garlic, and set aside.
4. Drain excess oil, then immediately add salt while hot and toss to coat.
5. Stir in garlic while hot to infuse flavor.
6. Pour in the cold-dressed vinegar. Add light soy sauce. Stir in chili oil to combine flavors.
7. Add the cilantro and toss lightly before serving.
3. Cilantro-Tossed Century Eggs
Main Ingredients: Century eggs (2), cilantro (15g)
Method:
1. Wash and peel the century eggs, then cut each into 8 wedges.
2. Wash the cilantro and cut into long sections. Peel and mince the garlic.
3. In a small bowl, mix salt, soy sauce, chili oil, vinegar, and MSG to make the dressing.
4. Line a serving plate with cilantro, then arrange the preserved eggs on top.
5. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the eggs.
6. Drizzle the prepared dressing over everything and serve.
4. Stir-Fried Bamboo Shoots with Cilantro
Main Ingredient: Bamboo Shoots (110g)
Supporting Ingredient: Cilantro (as needed)
Method:
1. Soak bamboo shoots in water to rehydrate.
2. Drain and cut larger pieces into smaller sections.
3. Chop cilantro into segments.
4.Heat oil in a wok, stir-fry chopped scallions, then add bamboo shoots. Stir-fry until evenly coated.
5. Season with light soy sauce and salt to taste. Add cilantro segments and stir-fry until combined.
5. Cilantro Egg Pancakes
Main Ingredients: Flour (as needed), Eggs (as needed), Cilantro (as needed), Oil (as needed), Water (as needed)
Method:
1. Place eggs, flour, and water in a bowl. Finely chop cilantro.
2. Add seasonings and chopped cilantro to the batter, mixing until smooth and thin.
3. Lightly oil a flat pan and heat until hot.
4. Pour the prepared egg-flour batter into the pan, swirling to spread evenly.
5.Cook into a soft pancake until golden brown throughout. Plate and serve immediately.