Arguably, cilantro is an acquired taste. The first time I smelled it, I didn't even know I was doing so. It was, after all, the predominant aroma in a can of cat-repellent spray I'd gotten to "persuade" our feline housemates not to bed down on the sofa or sharpen their claws on the pine cabinets.

Later, when wanting to try a Tex-Mex salsa recipe that called for fresh cilantro, I hied myself to the fresh cilantro market, picked up a good-looking bunch and gave it a hearty sniff. What a surprise, and not necessarily a pleasant one.

But persistence can pay off. The salsa was yummy, and I'm pleased to report I've acquired a considerable taste for this herb that is widely used in cuisines that originated where the sun is hot and they love spicy food. India and Thailand in the Far East, for instance. Central and South America on our side of the globe.

Today's exercise, then, is to provide some inspiration for you to become an aficionado of this personable herb, which is also known as coriander.

And if the felines in your family don't like it, well that's just too bad.

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