Vietnamese Coriander

[leoblackcat]

Does anyone know anything about vietnamese coriander? It is a frost tender perennial - but does that mean it is ok for me to pop it back out in the garden now that there isn't much chance of frost or does it still need to be warmer?

It is quite tall and I got fed up of it blocking all the light through my kitchen window - so I have put it out in the shed, on a shelf in front of the window. Do you think it will be ok? Temps have been around 9 degrees in the shed overnight.....

[FionaH]

I have vietnemese coriander in the garden, its been out for a few weeks now. I'm in Surrey too

[leoblackcat]

great thanks.

I can sleep easy tonight now.

[BarleySugar]

Hi sorry to beg, but I had loads of this last year, and even sent out cuttings to other grapes. Anyway, mine inside got bad spider mite, and the one that started to shoot in the greenhouse mysteriously died. I have been looking in all the garden centres around here for a replacement without any luck. I was wondering if anyone might spare some, as I found they rooted in water within 3-4 days for me last year. Please PM me if you can help, thanks

[abby]

Can you tell me how you eat it coz I have tried it and its as hot as H*LL.. But love the smell..

[BarleySugar]

I use it in curries. In fact I had about 6 plants from cuttings last year, so I froze a lot in ice cubes for the winter, knowing I intended only to keep one plant going . I just chuck in an ice cube with everything else, gives a lovely taste, or so I think whihc is why I would really like a new one for this year. I didn't really find it hot thought, but not quite like ordinary coriander, whihc i love in curries as well.

[leoblackcat]

will take a cutting and put it in some water for you. If it takes I'll pot up and send to you.

[Storming Norman]

Hi Barley Sugar,

I have a small plant spare you can have it if you want - will PM you.

Abby,

I find it's not so hot if you don't cook it. Don't ask why as I found this out by accident. I find it really nice in small quantities in salads, like basil but tastier.

Other than that it works a bit like a chilli and should be treated accordingly. I have not had the nerve to try carrot and viet corriander soup - might be good if a little warm.

Ann

[abby]

Have you got the recipe for the soup I would love to give it a go?..

[cupcake]

I got a plant of this very cheaply from our local nursery. I had no idea you could eat it. I shall have to get another.

[Storming Norman]

The Soup Question:

Well I don't know - I would use a carrot and coriander soup recipe but that would be way too much of the viet coriander. Try the standard recipe with half quantities of the herb and see what happens - I've not had the nerve yet but will do soon.

Most soup recipes of mine are the 'try it out' versions [handfuls of this or that]- if it works I just repeat them as best as I can remember them.

To Cupcake - this plant gets very big [it was 4 foot tall and a nuisance in my greenhouse last year]- possible you don't need another - you can take a cutting, rooted in water as insurance. It is a tropical plant and you are in Yorkshire, so insurance would be a good idea.

Mine died in the greenhouse this January eventually but gave me plenty of leaves up to the end of December. The cutting I kept in the house as insurance is now romping away in this good weather, and has just gone in the garden [I hope this might keep it under control].

Ann

[cupcake]

I only paid I think it was 30 or 50p for my plant, I'll push the boat out! No way can I squeeze it into the GH. It's bursting with tomatoes and chillis!

[BayViewPlot]

I had mine growing outside all of last year in cardiff, didn't chop it at all - to give it strength.
Died over the winter.

bvp