I’ve had cilantro on my mind and on my plate for the past month, I’m not sure what has caused this craze but I won’t complain. Cilantro is good for you. Cilantro is also known as coriander and Chinese parsley. It is beneficial to cleansing your blood, it lowers your blood sugar and your bad cholesterol levels; it also has antibiotic properties.

You can use cilantro in many dishes and many ways. It’s best not to cook it so be sure to add it last if you’re using it with a hot dish. It’s a main herb in homemade salsa which makes your own salsa so much fresher tasting! I like adding it to tabbouli, and my black bean & corn salad.

Cilantro, Lime Avocado Dressing/Sauce

1 lg. handful cilantro, rinsed
½ a Haas avocado
Juice of half of a lime or 1 Tbs. lime juice
½ tsp. pink salt
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt

Mix in blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. Add water to thin to desired consistency if using as a dressing.

Serve over fish, poultry, eggs, or cooked or raw vegetables; or use as salad dressing.

Cilantro, Lime Avocado Dressing/Sauce

Bonus Recipe: Black Bean & Corn Salad

1 can black beans, rinsed well and drained
1 can corn, 2 cups frozen, thawed corn or fresh corn from the cob
1 can petite diced tomatoes with green chiles or freshly chopped tomatoes & jalapenos
1 lg. handful cilantro chopped
half of a small onion chopped or 2-3 stems green onion or handful chives, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped – you can add chopped carrot also if you wish
Dash olive oil and apple cider vinegar

Mix all and chill.