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Most of us buy a fresh bunch of coriander, pluck the leaves for a garnish, and toss the stems straight into the bin. It is a classic kitchen habit, but it is actually a huge waste. The truth is, those crunchy green stems hold way more punch than the leaves. While the leaves give you a nice, mild aroma, the stems are packed with an intense concentration of flavor, not to mention a solid hit of vitamins and minerals. Next time you are prepping veggies, keep the stems aside. Here are five easy ways to use them up instead of throwing them away.


Build a better curry base
When you are making a standard gravy or curry, chop the stems up super fine. Toss them into the pan right at the start with your onions, ginger, and garlic. As they sauté, they soften completely and melt into the base, giving the whole dish a deep, restaurant-style flavor.


Level up your soups and broths
Coriander stems are a secret weapon for homemade stocks and soups. Give them a thorough wash to get rid of any dirt, then drop them right into your boiling vegetable or chicken broth. They infuse the liquid with a bright, clean freshness that elevates the whole pot.


Upgrade your daily tadka
The next time you are tempering dal or a simple stir-fry, bring the stems into play. Heat up your oil or ghee, drop in your cumin seeds, heeng, and garlic, and throw in a handful of finely chopped stems. Let them sizzle for just a few seconds before pouring the tempering over your food.


Punch up your marinades
If you are prepping chicken, fish, or paneer, don't just rely on standard ginger-garlic paste. Throw a handful of coriander stems into the blender alongside your yogurt and spices. Grinding them into the mix adds an earthy, herbaceous kick that cuts right through the richness.


Blitz them into dips
You can easily use the stems to breathe life into basic snacks. Blend them up with thick curd, garlic, paneer, or even boiled chickpeas for a quick homemade dip. The stems give the dip a gorgeous green tint and a fresh flavor that goes perfectly with chips or crackers.