What's the deal with coriander seed? I was all set to make Marg's chermoula recipe when I realized

M

marilynfl

Moderator
I was out of coriander seeds.

"No problem" she said as Fate sat in the background laughing Its ass off.

Anyway, I stopped at Ingles after gym and there was no coriander seed to be found, neither in the baking/spice aisle, nor in the Hispanic spice section, nor in the loose spices stocked near the fresh vegetables. So I checked Walmart in all possible locations and then Bi-Lo. By now I was racking up steps on my pedometer. Then I tried both local health food stores. Then I found the newly opened Mexican grocery store where--for sure!--they would have it.

Nope.

Then I went BACK to Walmart and walked out to the garden area and looked through the remaining post-planting seed packets.

Nope.

So I drove to Lowe's...

(momentary pause: have you noticed yet the somewhat disturbing habit I have of not letting something go?)

...and walked out to their garden section seed packets. SCORE. But by the feel of the packet, there were very few seeds in there, so I bought 3 packages for $1.49 each. Got home and the three packages ($4.50 now) didn't even make 1 Tablespoon.

So the next day I drove over to Asheville and went to the big Whole Foods with 10 linear feet and 6 vertical feet of spices.

Can you believe it. Nada! Big empty spaces loomed where lonely "Coriander Seed" labels sat in three different locations for different brands.

But Praise be to looking up, because there was yet another company who sold seeds along with dried mushrooms. And there were my coriander seeds!!

I bought three frigging packages.

Of course, by now, my cilantro, parsley and mint have all gone bad so I STILL can't make the chermoula sauce.

I hate weeks like this.

 
Believe it or not. I have had the same experience but many years ago. So I started growing coriander

(well, cilantro) The herb was never any good as I think the days were too long, or something. Never could figure that out. We sure had enough heat and sun. But it always bolted and created the most wonderful seeds. I think I still have 4 of those seeds. I cherish them.

This chermoula had better be worth it.

Maybe the shortage is related to the huge consumption of the herb before the seeds can be produced.

 
Thanks, Judy! No, I haven't been there. Parking is such a chore in the downtown area that

I've only gone twice recently for events and both times it was pouring, so I didn't bother sticking around.

Whole Foods, Trader Joes and many of the stores I need are on the I-240 loop around the city so I basically bypass downtown. Unfortunately, that's where most of the fun restaurants are.

I have an Outback now, but my former car (a tiny Honda Fit) had its side reamed in the parking garage and of course, no one took credit. Street parking is limited to 2 hours if you can find it and have quarters. And getting stuck in traffic is a daily event, even if you stay on the loop.

 
I just finished making a batch. so 2 suggestions: overdo the herbs and underdo the lemon.

Also a reminder that if you have Medit. cumin as opposed to Indian, it is much better.

Off to the store to get some cod. I was out last night for dinner and ate cod and asparagus. My life is so varied and exciting.

 
Yep, if you're gonna grow it do it in fall and spring--too hot in summer so it bolts

at least in our part of the country.

 
Interesting, I’m seeing a lot of recipes using it recently. Such as a blueberry pie where

coriander was touted as the secret ingredient.

 
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