Last Updated on March 25, 2022 by Eva Maria
In today’s article, we have a Vegan Coriander Cilantro Pesto with Sunflower Seeds. This is one of my favorite fresh vegan pesto recipes that I make in the springtime. It has amazing health benefits of fresh coriander cilantro (sometimes I also use Parsley to substitute for Cilantro).
This is the first article in my new series Kitchen Witch Recipes. I’m gonna be publishing lovely vegan recipes with their magical meaning, correspondences, and intention.
Why do I say Coriander Cilantro Pesto?
Coriander Cilantro Pesto is my new invention made from fresh coriander/cilantro leaves.
In America, people use the word Coriander to describe the Cilantro seeds (used as a spice) and Cilantro to describe the fresh leaves.
In the UK (and the other countries where we learn British English) we use the word Coriander for both the seeds and the leaves.
Thus I use the term Coriander Cilantro together to describe my affinity for both languages.
I hope you don’t mind!
Is Coriander Cilantro… I mean is Coriander the same as Cilantro?
In a botanical sense yes – Coriander and Cilantro are the same plant – Coriandrum sativum.
In America, and Spanish-speaking countries – Cilantro is a definition of the green leaves of the Coriander plant. And Coriander can be understood as a spice made from Cilantro (Coriander) seeds.
Does it make sense?
In most of Europe (where we learn British English at school), we use the word Coriander for both: the green leaves as well as the seeds of the Coriander plant.
To make everything simple, I’m gonna be using Coriander Cilantro Leaves as a description for the green part of the Coriander plant in this Vegan Coriander Cilantro Pesto.
How to keep Cilantro fresh
- When I bring fresh Cilantro home, the first thing I do, is to cut about an inch (2,5 cm) from the bottom of the twigs.
- Then i put the Cilantro in the cup with fresh water.
- I cut the ends and change the water every day.
- There is no need to keep cilantro fresh in the fridge – I do it on a counter top and it stays fresh for up to a week (if I do the described procedures every day).
- Another way to keep cilantro fresh is to make Vegan Coriander Cilantro Pesto and use it to flavor the dishes, on the sandwitches or pasta.
Substitute for Cilantro (Coriander Leaf)
Not everyone likes the green Coriander Cilantro green leaves. Actually, people either love it or hate it.
If you are one of those that rather not have fresh Cilantro in your dishes, there are great substitutes you can use.
The best substitute for Cilantro is fresh Parsley leaves – it has a milder taste and a very beautiful smell.
Another substitute for Cilantro you can try is fresh basil leaves. They would become an amazing garnish or addition to dishes instead of Cilantro.
What can I substitute for Cilantro?
Other fresh aromatic herbs can be a great substitute for Cilantro. Things such as oregano, thyme, mint, chives, wild garlic, or earlier mentioned parsley and basil leaves can be combined into pestos, sauces, and other uses of fresh Coriander Cilantro Leaves. They might have a slightly different taste, but well… I guess that’s something you’re looking for when you want to find a substitute for Cilantro.
How to make a Vegan Coriander Cilantro Pesto Recipe
This simple and super healthy Vegan Coriander Cilantro Pesto Recipe is a super easy and quick thing to try. It will make a great addition to sandwiches, toast, pasta, and as a side dish with your main course.
Vegan Coriander Cilantro Pesto with Sunflower Seeds Recipe
Ingredients
- 1,5 cup fresh coriander cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp lemon or lime juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Roast the sunflower seeds until they become golden. Stir them often for about 4-5 minutes.
- In meantime chop the coriander cilantro leaves and place it in a pot or food processor for blending.
- Add roasted sunflower seeds, chopped clove of garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, water, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Blend everything until smooth and serve in your favorite way (in pasta, on the toast, or as a side dish).
Video
Notes
Vegan Coriander Cilantro Pesto with Sunflower Seeds Magic Properties
As this is a part of my Kitchen Witch Recipes series, at the end of each article, I will give you the list of used witch herbs correspondences.
Cilantro and Coriander Magic Properties
Coriander Magic (whether it is in form of seeds or fresh leaves) is great for love spells. It can also be added to a protection spell jar or hung in the kitchen to ward off evil.
Other coriander magic properties include: accessing memories, beginnings, blessing, changes, clairvoyance, community, consecrating, cycles, divination, fertility, fidelity, happiness, healing, health, heartbreak, love, lust, money, passion, peace, protection, renewal, secrets, security, sex magic, sleep, stimulation, warmth, well-being
Olive Oil Magic Properties
Here are the most common olive oil magic properties: healing, peace, fertility, potency, protection, lust, luck
Sunflower Seeds Magic Properties
Here are the most common sunflower seeds magic properties: fertility, wishes, health, wisdom, truth, luck, intuition, happiness, light
Garlic Magic Properties
Here are the most common garlic magic properties: protection, healing, exorcism, lust, protection, clarity, shielding
Lemon Magic Properties
Here are the most common lemon magic properties: longevity, purification, love, friendship, cleansing, blessings, luck
Watch the Video with Vegan Coriander Cilantro Pesto with Sunflower Seeds and Magic Properties
Books to learn more about magic properties of herbs and kitchen witchery:
*These are affiliate links that allow me to earn a small commission on purchases you make, at no extra cost for you.
✦ “Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen” by Scott Cunnigham
✦ “Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs” by Scott Cunnigham
✦ “Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore & Fairy Tale” by Sarah Robinson
Love it when you give a total picture of how a recipe is made and how it works with intention! Thanks!
Thank you so much 😀