by Christopher Oliver (Inspired by Nikki Phillips)

Nikki, a friend of many years, has a rather strong obsession with cilantro. So for Valentine's Day I prepared a meal with cilantro in everything. The surprise hit of the meal was the corn bread. It was so well received that I tried it a number of times after that and always to rave reviews. So here is the recipe so you too can make Nikki's Cilantro Cornbread.

1 cup unbleached white flour

1 cup blue or yellow cornmeal (blue gives a great look)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup melted butter or light oil

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt and baking powder. Set this mixture aside for later.

In another bowl, mix buttermilk and baking soda, allowing baking soda to dissolve.  Then add eggs, brown sugar, and melted butter or light oil, though butter is recommended.  Mix.  Then add fresh squeezed lime juice and chopped cilantro.

Combine this mixture with the dry bowl mix you set aside earlier, mixing only enough to combine the two bowls.  Pour this into whatever pan you like and bake at 400 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes.

For other recipes by Christopher, check out his “Breaking Bread with Christopher” blog at http://breakingbreadwithchristopher.blogspot.com/