Read by Michael Flamel

In the lush, verdant world of Don Nicholas’s garden, there exists a plant that has baffled and bewitched me for years: cilantro. While I’ve had the pleasure of cultivating everything from tomatoes that seem to grow bigger than my head to basil that practically sings in the Summer sun, cilantro and I have been locked in a tumultuous dance. I love it dearly, but it appears to have a vendetta against me.

Cilantro, or Coriandrum sativum, has a rich history that stretches back over 5,000 years. Its origins trace to the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East, where it was a favorite in early culinary practices. Fast-forward to today, and cilantro finds itself a superstar in both Mexican and Asian cuisine. For me, it’s the star player in salsas, curries, and even those delightful little Vietnamese spring rolls.

My journey with cilantro began with great optimism. Armed with the fervor of a thousand gardeners before me, I planted my first batch in the Spring dreaming of a garden brimming with the herb’s lush green leaves. But alas, my cilantro plants, like the hopes of many an aspiring gardener, withered and died before they could even dream of being harvested. It was as if the plant knew it had met its nemesis.

Determined to break the cycle of cilantro catastrophe, I turned to the dark arts of hydroponics. Gail, my ever-supportive partner in crime, splurged on the fanciest hydroponic equipment money could buy. We imagined a future where our kitchen garden was a cilantro haven, a veritable jungle of fresh, green goodness. But as Winter turned to Spring, our hydroponic cilantro was a pitiful sight—a few scraggly leaves, barely clinging to life, a testament to our unyielding struggle.

It wasn’t long before I realized that cilantro’s disdain for me wasn’t personal; it’s just a finicky herb. While some gardeners seem to grow cilantro with the ease of a Summer breeze, I seem to have a knack for turning its leaves to mush. The soil, the sun, the water—something in my method or environment just doesn’t jibe with cilantro’s needs.

But here’s the twist in the tale: the wonderful gardeners at GreenPrints and Food Gardening Network have managed to tame the cilantro beast! They’ve shared recipes and tips that make my heart sing with cilantro-induced joy. From cilantro-laden salsas that dance on the tongue to fragrant curries that make you forget your name, these recipes are the culinary treasures I yearned for.

So, dear fellow gardeners, while I continue my quest to make peace with cilantro, I urge you to dive into our complete gardening guide on this enigmatic herb. Discover the secrets to growing cilantro successfully, explore the different varieties, and savor some truly remarkable recipes that are sure to spice up your kitchen.

Happy Gardening, and Happy Eating! ❖