Two-fer

Do you like cilantro? I gather you either do or you really, really don't. I didn't, at first. It is ubiquitous in California, served with all kinds of foods, not just Mexican. To me, it tasted like soap. In fact, I nicknamed it "soapwort," and carefully picked it off or out of anything it was served with. Not my favorite herb - in fact, it ranked just off the bottom of my list of faves.

Slowly, over the years I have learned to appreciate it. I now love it in guacamole - that wonderful avocado dish just isn't quite complete without it, in my view. It's also good in a variety of dishes from soft tacos to salads.

But it has a drawback - it's not an easy keeper. I can't tell you the number of times I have looked for mine in the vegetable drawer and found a plastic bag full of slime instead.  Ugh. 

Last week, I bought a new bunch and it was honestly so fresh and lovely that I couldn't resist filling my prettiest vase, a gift from my pals Wenirs and Mark, with water and sticking the cilantro in it to enjoy on the kitchen counter. It is of the springiest green and those lacy leaves let the light pass right through them. 

Lo and behold! it lasted a full ten days on the counter. Not wrapped. Not refrigerated. Nothing but water added to the vase once or twice to keep its feet wet. I'm tickled pink with this discovery.  I got a two-fer, pretty leaves to brighten the kitchen and fresh herbs to brighten my meals for a week.