Cilantro & Curry Plant

[Spirahl]

Mmmm... I love the flavour of fresh cilantro. The flavour is very exotic to me, it's not a flavour that my Mommy used. I have some in my garden, was pleased that it reseeds itself, however, I'm not happy with the amount of leaf production that I am getting- not much. I just harvested a bunch of herbs at Midsummer, and the cilantro is one that I cut way back. Instead of branching out like other plants do, getting bushier, they are already producing the seed-coriander. Am I not pinching them back enough, or early enough, or is it simply the nature of the plant to be spindly and you have to grow many, many plants to get a big bunch of leaf?

Also, curry plant, has anyone tasted this to know if it really is a fairly good substitution for the actual curry- spice mixture?

[Lavender]

It's a losing battle fighting with the cilantro, y'know. I was out there everyday cutting the flower stalks off in order to get the plant to grow bushier. If it's an herb you use regularly, try sowing seeds every couple of weeks to get the fresh leaves. I found that once the flower stalks come & the seeds are in full production, the leaves are less flavourful.

Curry plant has an interesting taste. I've used it in cooking but not to replace the curry spice mixture but to enhance the taste of meats & stews. There's two curry plants. Both smells the same & can be used in cooking but the Helichrysum italicum has more medicinal uses. Also, if it's the Helichrysum italicum that you have, you can infuse the leaves in oil for skin care uses. I use it for a base in a salve for scarring & stretch marks. I also love the scent of the plant too! :)

[Spirahl]

Just a losing battle...
Well, it's good to know that. I won't waste my time trying to fight the nature of the plant then. Instead of letting it self-sow this year, I'll collect the seed and sow every two weeks.:)

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
Yep,mine always seeds out too.A really good thing I use cilantro for is home. made salsa.It makes it great.
You use tomatoes,fresh if possible,although canned works.Some stores "fresh tomatoes" on the produce aisle are rather waxyAdd some onion,jalapenos according to your taste for hot,a spoon of vinegar,a spoon of sugar,a spoon of cumen,and add the cilantro.Put it all in a blender and let it go.Don't let it puree etc,just let it mix really good.Sometimes I'll throw in a fresh green pepper too.
The cilantro really helps,I get raves for this stuff at parties and it's easy to make.
Peace and Love
BrightStar

[Sunday's Child]

I just love cilantro!

I use mine for salsa too! In, New Mexico we eat salsa with everything, ha, just about everything.

Curry, my brother is into curry, I need to try some curry chicken or something. He says it's great.

[magicbabs]

I am not very patient with this herb.

That is why I buy it at Kroger or Publix....

Parsley - now that one I can grow and grow and grow......ah, it is great.