David, Cilantro is one of the main herbs used in Asian cooking - It is also used throughout N. Africa's Mediterranean regions, Mexico & S. America. It is also known as coriander and resembles Italian parsley in appearance. The taste has been described as "metallic" and "soapy" but do not allow that to put you off because cilantro's depth and pungency adds a whole spectrum of flavor you would miss and wonder: "Why does this lack something?" It is totally distinct and an important part of the cuisines I mentioned. If you have eaten Indian curry or Mexican food, you have eaten cilantro. It is used with jasmine infused rice, being stirred in at the end of steaming and in Mexican salsa. It has a wonderful flavor and is very distinct. Here in S. CA it is a staple in the produce department but can be found in a lot of produce markets in the N.E. and N.W. of the USA. Thai peanut sauce can be found in the Asian section of most supermarkets but is very easy to make. Variations of peanut sauce is found throughout Asia, each region has its own recipe and varies from piquant to mild and sweet.