The first week of #BlogchatterA2Z flew by quickly and how! The discipline of writing everyday (I live by the edge, you see!) seemed overwhelming at first but the support and motivation of our blogging community is simply amazing. Writing about nutritious foods was long on my wishlist and I hope that my posts are proving useful to others as much as they are to me. The right diet and food choices contribute most towards achieving a fit and healthy body.
Certain ingredients aren’t complete on their own but a recipe isn’t whole without them either. Today we’ll talk about those sidelined and hidden items that deserve more credit than they get.
Indian Mustard
Indian Mustard or sarso is a superfood that benefits us in every form. Mustard greens are winter nutritious foods that are high in micronutrients and fiber and low in calories. They contain Vitamin C and K in high amounts along with other essential vitamins and minerals. They boost heart and eye health, contain disease-fighting antioxidants and may help prevent cancer. Mustard oil, although pungent, is used in cooking, skin and hair care, and as a home remedy for cold.
Indian Mustard greens or sarso da saag is one of the best ways to nourish our body during winters. Any Indian tadka is unimaginable without mustard seeds while crushed ones are the prime ingredient in pickles.
Imli/ Tamarind
Imli is famous for its exceptional tangy flavour and is found in almost every Indian kitchen. It contains a powerful antioxidant tartaric acid that inhibits the growth of free radicals in the body. Phytonutrients in Imli impart it with many health benefits and medicinal uses. It contains Vitamin A which is good for the eyes, improves blood circulation and digestion.
Imli chutney finds a place of envy in all kinds of chaat preparations like dahi wada, pani puri and ragda pattice. Imli pulp is often paired with jaggery and added to bitter gourd, dal, chhole etc to balance and enhance their taste. Dried and powdered imli powder can be stored and used for months.
Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg Lettuce has high water content and is refreshingly crunchy. It ranks low in nutritional value but has decent amounts of Vitamin A, C, K, calcium, folate and potassium. Its low calorie content and crisp texture makes it the perfect addition to burgers and sandwiches.
Thanks to Subway and McDonalds, our kids know and eat Iceberg Lettuce too. Toss up a salad at home with shredded lettuce, ricotta cheese, cherry tomatoes, bread croutons and spices in no time. Indulgence and health, happy together!
Nutritious foods help us make the transformation from wannabe to always fit and healthy. Natural ingredients and foods are a better choice than supplements, aren’t they?
This post is part of the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge by Blogchatter
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I love adding mustard seeds in most of tadkas. Sarson ka saag is an all time favorite. Imli ki chutney ke bina toh koi chaat complete hi nahi hoti. You made my mouth water over the thought of chaat 🙂
Good to know that Imli is useful.
Iceberg lettuce is new our older generation and my MIL says we are eating grass whenever we get that home. But yes, Mustard and Tamarind are known for their medicinal properties.
Indian mustard is wonderful in every form, be it its seeds for tempering, sarso leaves for saag, even oil has medicinal benefits.
And Imli, just the name is enough to bring tanginess in mouth, chaat is incomplete without this chutney.
You always come up with the best suggestions. Mustard seeds and imli is something used commonly in our home need to add iceberg lettuce too.
Wonderful post
Deepika Sharma
I love mustard greens! And tempering with mustard seeds make a dish so tasty. Imli makes my mouth water. I also love iceberg lettuce. Wonderful, informative post!
Informative post, Varsha. I had no clue about the nutritional benefits of Imli.
sarson ka saag is my favourite but nothing beats imli ki chutni!
sarson ka saag is my eternal favourite but nothing beats Imli ki chutney!!!
Imli, iceberg lettuce are my favorite and sarson I use everyday in my kitchen. Lockdown has honestly taught me a lot buddy
Mustard seeds are a must for most Kerala dishes. Loved the nutritional information of all the foods too.
I agree that with recent burger things, kids of today’s generation enjoying iceberg lettuce. Imli is something that I use rarely in my cooking. learnt a lot about its health benefits through your post dear. loving the series.
Haha… That comment about knowing iceberg lettuce thanks to franchises is actually so true, when I think of it. Before that, I didn’t really know the name.
Mustard is used in almost all tadkas in the south. But we dont get sarso greens here. Imli too is a staple used in every dish. Lettuce we get rarely and then I make sandwiches or salad,
Yes, Indian mustard has many benefits, my grandmom used to tell us a lot. But Honestly, Imli has this much nutritional contents,thsi is something new to me. Lettuce salad is used most of the time at my home too.
I am so happy with globalization kids know what’s iceberg lettuce and broccoli and like it too. I use imli mostly for sambhar, which is indispensable part of our weekly breakfast.
I love Imli on dahi wada only . Never used it with any other dishes. Yes! mustard tadka gives the best feeling.
Hey I made Imli ki Chatni today as I am preparing dahi Vada..never new it has so many benefits. Great informative post.
I use Imli in lot of dishes but was not aware of so many goodness. Thanks!!
Okay, Iceberg lettuce is the one used in burgers💡
I use imli, mustard seeds in my kitchen regularly…good to know about their benefits.
Imli is a must add for me. Every day