When our friend Tonya came to visit for the weekend, we wanted to make some really special dishes using one of her favorite ingredients, leading us to cilantro hummus and cilantro chutney. Tonya is one of our dearest friends and, as such, these visits often lead to a dramatic reading from “I Could Pee On This” while wearing a mixing bowl as a hat in the bathtub and kicking us in the shins if she doesn’t like the meal we’ve prepared. So we also wanted to make sure we had a fancy cocktail to distract her in case she didn’t like the dishes.

Good news: She likes all three takes on cilantro, and we hope you do, too.

That business about her kicking us in the shins is not true. She would never do such a thing. She kicks us in the face.

Cilantro Hummus

What to Have

• fresh cilantro (one bunch), hard stems removed
• 1 cans chickpeas
• 1 jalapeno pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• salt and pepper

What to Do
Combine half the cilantro and all other ingredients in food processor. Blend until smooth. Add more cilantro to taste.

Cilantro Chutney

What to Have

• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• 1 serrano pepper, some seeds removed
• 1/4 cup chopped white onion
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

What to Do
Pulse all ingredients in blender. Leave some coarseness.

Absolut Cilantro Martini

What to Have

• Absolut Cilantro
• Coconut Water
• Mango Nectar
• Lime
• Cilantro

What to Do
Combine two parts Absolute Cilantro, one part coconut water, one part mango nectar and a squeeze of lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously. Pour into glass and serve with a cilantro sprig.