Cilantro and I just get each other.
We have one of those BFF relationships where it doesn’t matter how much time we spend together, we never seem to get sick of each other. I’m that girl that asks for “extra cilantro please” every time I’m going down the line at Cafe Rio (a popular Mexican grill, if you’ve never been lucky enough to experience it)…
I think my love for cilantro came when I was in high school. Ok guys, this is a really weird story…so don’t judge. In high school, my friends and I often ended up with a huge stack of each other’s clothes in our closet. For example, someone would lend me their sweatpants, and then we’d both forget about it and soon enough, their sweats became a part of my permanent wardrobe.
One day, I decided to sleep over at my friend Laurel’s house, so she lent me one of her Dad’s t-shirts to sleep in. Is that weird? I dunno, I didn’t think so. I ended up wearing it home, and soon it became my regular go-to PJ top. And why did I love this oversized t-shirt so much? I’ll tell you why…It smelled like cilantro. It didn’t matter how many times I washed it, the shirt always smelled like cilantro.
And I loved it. I know, I’m weird like that.
So what’s your herby BFF? Ok, I’m making up weird phrases now. Parsley? Basil? Thyme? Or are you a cilantro-lover too?
Whether or not you love cilantro, I’m pretty positive you’ll love this cilantro vinaigrette. It has a bright, zesty flavor that compliments the Spring veggies just right. And then you add that feta and you’re set! A fresh, healthy, and colorful salad. Pass the cilantro pleazzz. 🙂
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 lbs. waxy potatoes such as fingerlings or small red potatoes
- 1 lbs. green beans, ends trimmed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 large cucumber
- Feta cheese for topping
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. water
- 2 handfuls cilantro (about 1 heaping cup)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tsp. crushed garlic
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. honey
- 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a simmer. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. (You know they're done when they can be easily poked with a fork.) Drain in a colander and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Blanch the green beans: fill a medium-sized saucepan with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the beans and blanch for about 3 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately run under cold water, or place in a large bowl with icy water. Cut each green bean in half.
- Chop the tomatoes in half and cut the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the salad: in a large bowl, add the mixed greens, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and toss with cilantro vinaigrette.
- Combine all ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor or powerful blender and mix until smooth. Slowly drizzle the olive oil in until incorporated.
- Toss desired amount with the salad
Notes
*This cilantro vinaigrette also works great as a salmon/chicken marinade or sauce. Double the recipe and keep extras in the fridge for up to two weeks.
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10 Comments
One meal salad perfect for all occasions.
It’s true! Family dinner, neighborhood BBQ, or in a tupperware on the go. 😉
I love this! And I’m so with you on the cilantro. Can’t wait to try this dressing.
Christine, I’m so glad you agree with me about cilantro. It just doesn’t get better 🙂
Omg I absolutely love all the colors!! So springy/summery -I will definitely be making this soon!
Thanks Anne! Let us know how it turns out!
oh my goodness gracious this looks SO GOOD! Cilantro is totally my bff, but my fiancee hates it. So I legit keep a plant of it and just add my own to everything. Nobody said we had to eat everything the same way, right?
Seriously, I’m going to make this salad really soon. I need it in my life.
xoxo,
Dannie
http://www.stilefotocibo.com
Haha Dannie, that’s so funny because my husband hates cilantro too! I figure that’s just more for me 🙂
I’ll need to try this dressing! I love cilantro and find that I go through the kind from the market so fast!
Jenna from http://www.visionsofvogue.com
I’m right there with ya. Cilantro doesn’t last long at my house 😉 Hope you like the dressing!