Minor cooking experiment.

[cactuswatcher]

I made chili last night. I usually use a lot of chili powder. Last night I tried reducing the chilli powder significantly (by several teaspoons in a large batch) and replacing it with a 1/4 teaspoon of cilantro. It worked well in filling in the flavor. I think too much cilantro would be a mistake, but this amount seemed to work well.

Comments

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

Sounds yummy. I'll be coming over to your house for dinner!

[cactuswatcher.livejournal.com]

Maybe if and when you live closer you can.

[deevalish.livejournal.com]

Whenever I make chili, I always forget to pick up all the little fixings. Green onions, cilantro, extra cheese. I don't really miss the fixings but they arenice to have, adds a little more depth.

[cactuswatcher.livejournal.com]

Chili can take a lot of different additions very well. This time I forget to get Ritz crackers, but like you say, it's still good.

In Praise of Cilantro

[starryniteshade.livejournal.com]

...too much cilantro can *never* be a mistake. But, still, I applaud your concession of at least a 1/4 teaspoon (sic).

Re: In Praise of Cilantro

[cactuswatcher.livejournal.com]

I like cilantro in salsa, especially in pico de gallo, but it really is an experiment for me in chili. For me, cumin should be the main flavor of chili and everything else should complement it.

Re: In Praise of Cilantro

[starryniteshade.livejournal.com]

True....I too don't think of cilantro as a normal chili ingredient. Cumin is also wonderful.

You know, there's far too few poems written about both cilantro and cumin!

Re: In Praise of Cilantro

[midnightsjane.livejournal.com]

I adore the taste and smell of cilantro. It just has the most wonderful freshness to it. I put it in my chili, too.
I made a pasta sauce the other day by chopping up a big bunch of cilantro, and some parsley, and sauteeing it with some chopped onions and garlic in olive oil. Threw in a little white wine, and tossed the pasta in the sauce. It was soooo yummy. I want some now!