Salmon w/Dill Chives and Coriander Rub

Egads! ~ I did a little coriander research, after I made the this rub, and was shocked to learn its family background:

Coriander is the seed of the same plant that gives us cilantro!  It’s from the same family, but having decidedly different flavors; with coriander being a light lemony, citrusy taste, while cilantro is soapy and pungent.

Fresh cilanto, corinader seeds and ground coriander

Julia Child loathed cilantro and so do I.  My nose can detect the odor of cilantro from across the restaurant, as I imagine it’s soapy taste.  I know many people who love it, but I consider cilantro the herb from hell.

There has actually been genetic research of cilantro, and it’s believed that the dislike of the herb is a partly inherited trait, linked to a variation in a gene associated with our sense of smell.  So ~ I’m blaming my cilantro loathing on my genes…

 

Coriander seed is the dried fruit of the coriander plant. It’s used primarily in Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, Latin American also. When whole, coriander is used mainly in pickling and brining.  

When ground, it has a citrusy spicy flavor and can be added to pancake and waffle batters, sweet and savory dishes, vegetable dishes, stews, curries, marinades and rubs similar to my recipe here…

This is truly a great flavorful rub for salmon, adapted from a Cooking Light recipe.  Besides coriander, I added dill and chives (the recipe said use one or the other), and sesame seeds for a slightly nutty taste, with brown sugar sweetening the mixture just a bit.

Rubbed

Grilled

In a 2002 interview with Larry King, Julia Child told him she never ordered dishes with coriander.  She informed him, “I would pick it out and throw it on the floor.”  She would’ve stomped the life out of it, and I would do the same, Julia!

Bill grilled the salmon and we had a tasty dinner of it, brown rice and steamed asparagus!

What’s your take on coriander ~ cilantro?

Salmon w/Dill Chives and Coriander Rub

Adapted

Ingredients:

4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets

1 tablespoon each chopped fresh chives and dill

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon black sesame seeds

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon seasoned pepper

Method:

Brush salmon with oil.

Combine remaining ingredients and rub on salmon.

Allow to set for about 10 minutes.

Place salmon on grill under medium-high heat or in a non-stick skillet on the stovetop.

Cook until it flakes easily, about 12 minutes, turning once.

ENJOY!