Mustard leaves are one the best ingredients to consume in the winter season and are widely available too. However, the most common way people add them to their diet is by cooking Sarson ka Saag, but these leaves can be incorporated into everyday meals in many ways. Come winter, and every North Indian menu–at homes as well as dhabas and restaurants–become all about pairing Sarso Ka Saag with Makke Ki Roti as a part of winter-special platters.
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And yet, the fact remains that mustard leaves, which are also called mustard greens, are nutritional powerhouses that are versatile and can be used to whip up a whole variety of dishes–not just Sarson Ka Saag. Adding these greens to your diet is an easy task if you become a little creative with your cooking.
Mustard leaves have flat leaves with a zesty taste, and can be added to everything from soups to pickles. Wondering how to do that properly, utilise mustard leaves to the best of your ability and moving beyond just Sarson Ka Saag this winter? Here are all the options you can explore.
1. Add Mustard Leaves To Soups And Stews
One of the best ways to use leftover greens is to add them to a variety of soups. Adding mustard leaves to soups will elevate the nutritional quotient of the dish and boost flavours. The soup will also naturally turn out green and delicious. Another way to use these leaves is to add them to stew along with other vegetable scraps that you would not use otherwise while cooking.
2. Mustard Leaves As A Side Dish
Did you know that mustard greens can be presented as a side dish? You can roast these leaves in a small amount of oil along with chopped garlic and a few spices like red chilli powder and cumin seed powder. The infusion of flavours from spices and garlic will make this dish a hit among your guests.
3. Add Mustard Leaves To A Smoothie
If you don’t like the taste of mustard greens, why not make them invisible in a smoothie? A blend of all vegetables is the best way to incorporate any vegetable or fruit in your diet that you or your kids would not eat otherwise. You can consume it early in the morning or evening to give your body a boost of vitamins and energy.
4. Mix Mustard Greens In A Salad
A salad recipe can never have enough greens. If you like the flavours of different kinds of mustard leaves, you can chop them and add them to your salad recipes. A drizzle of olive oil and dressing will make the salad tasty, and greens will improve its nutritional value.
5. Stir Fry Mustard Greens
Like spinach, you can also stir-fry mustard leaves with chicken, paneer (cottage cheese), or tofu. While these can be bland, greens help to add a subtle flavour that can be enhanced using spices, garlic, and ginger. To create a perfect balance of all flavours, you can add lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for an acidic taste.
6. Create A Pickle With Mustard Greens
India is known as the land of pickles because one can find a different variety in every state. Much like lemon, mango, jackfruit, radish, green chilli, and carrot, you can also store mustard greens for a long time without worrying about them going bad. You can pickle them with vinegar, sugar, and salt, and eat these greens as a side dish with your meals.