Ultra presents Greens, Herbs and Spices that naturally add warmth and to your health

When the winter chill sets in, there is more you can do to add warmth to your body than just snuggling up with warm clothes and under blankets. Making teas and cooking simple dishes from herbs and spices that naturally increase the body’s core temperature will get your blood flowing and keep you warm.

Mustard Greens

Mustard both seeds and the greens are great winter produce that are warming for the body.
Mustard greens have immune-boosting properties and are rich in plant compounds and micronutrients. Besides being good for the heart and optic heath they have anti-cancer properties and are rich sources of Vitamin A, C and K.

Stir-fry with mustard greens:

1 Bunch mustard greens (destalked and chopped)
4 Cloves garlic (sliced)
1 Red chilli
2 Tsp mustard oil
1 Tsp mustard seed paste
½ Cup chicken stock
1 Tbsp cream
Salt

METHOD

1. In the Ultra Duracook Handi, add the mustard oil and sauté the garlic till it browns.
2. Add the dry red chilli and the mustard greens and sauté.
3. Pour the chicken stock and cook it out till the greens are dry.
4. Finally add salt and the mustard paste along with the cream and serve hot with rice.

Oregano

Most of us love a good sprinkle of dried oregano over our pizza, baked chicken and pastas. However, fresh oregano is a tastier and is packed with goodness. It is a winter warming herb that gets the blood flowing. Fresh oregano is anti-bacterial, antioxidant fighting cell damage and is loaded with Vitamin K, manganese, iron and calcium.

Oregano Pesto:

1 Cup oregano (fresh)
2 Garlic cloves
½ Cup parmesan cheese
½ Cup almonds
½ Cup olive oil
Salt
Pepper

METHOD

1. In a blender, add all the ingredients other than the olive oil and blend to a coarse paste.
2. Add the olive oil and store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
3. Top it to pastas, chicken, bakes and soups. Packed with flavour, it adds warmth to the body instantly.

Mudakatran Keerai Greens (Balloon Vine or Love in a puff plant)

A vine that grows quickly, it is declared a highly invasive plant in most countries. With a slight toxicity this plant is not eaten in several countries. However, Sanskrit text describe it as a highly medicinal plant that helps alleviate several medical conditions, most importantly neurological diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Make it into a soup or add it to lentils to relieve the winter aches and pains and add warmth to your body. You can have it both fresh and as a powder. It tastes great with rice and ghee.

Mudakatran Keerai Rasam:

1 Cup mudakatran keerai greens
2-3 Cloves garlic
½ Tsp mustard seeds
1 Tsp cumin
¼ Tsp black peppercorns
¼ Tsp corriander seeds
½ Lime
1 Sprig curry leaves
1 Sprig coriander leaves
1 Tsp oil
1 Tsp ghee
Salt

METHOD

1. Heat oil and ghee in a pan. Add the mustard and curry leaves and let it crackle.
2. In a pestle and mortar, roughly grind the cumin, peppercorns and the garlic.
3. Add this to the pan and sauté for 2 minutes.
4. Add the greens and fry till it wilts and the water from the greens dry out.
5. Add 3 cups of water and let it come to a boil.
6. Add salt and garnish with lime.
7. Switch off the flame and add the lime juice and serve with rice.

Among the spices, the top winter warmers are ginger, cloves, cinnamon and turmeric. Often used in Indian cooking. They add a natural heat to food and keep the body warm.

Cloves:

Among the health benefits of cloves, the most significant are the anti-bacterial properties. This is perhaps why our grandparents often chewed on cloves after a meal. They help soothe and prevent mouth and stomach ulcers. They are known for their antioxidant properties, liver cleansing properties and blood sugar regulation.
While adding cloves to masala chai is popular, try this with coffee.

Coffee with cloves:

1 Cup black coffee
1 Tsp jaggery
¼ Tsp clove powder or 2 full cloves
Milk (optional)

METHOD

Add cloves to the water while you brew the coffee. Top with milk and jaggery or enjoy black.

Ginger:

Ginger is perhaps the most medicinal of aromatic spices found in almost every kitchen. The medicinal benefits of ginger would probably cover every alphabet; however, the top benefits include aiding digestion, being anti-cancerous, relief to arthritis, calms nausea and lowers blood sugar.
Both fresh and dry ginger are beneficial to add to food. Dry ginger is versatile and can be stored longer and added to curries, coffees and soups. Fresh ginger can be used in almost all cooked dishes.

While adding cloves to masala chai is popular, try this with coffee.

Ginger and lemongrass chicken noodle clear soup:

Fresh ginger adds the most incredible flavour to soups and stir-fry that are not overpowered with spices. Add julienne of fresh ginger to the hot oil and it releases the magical flavours that turn the soup into a warm hug.

2” Ginger (Julienne)
1 Stalk lemongrass
1 Litre chicken stock
2-3 Cloves garlic
2 Cup cooked noodles
1 Cup cooked chicken
½ Lime (juice)
1 Stalk coriander leaves
Oil
Salt
Pepper

METHOD

1. In a pan, add oil and when hot, add the ginger. Sauté for 2 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and lemon grass, followed by the chicken and stock.
3. Add the noodles and let it boil for 5 minutes.
4. Add the coriander leaves, lime juice, salt and pepper and serve hot

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon is the most definitive winter spice. It has a gentle heat and a sweetness that fills the entire house if used in baking. From hot chocolates to apple pies, a pinch of cinnamon warms the heart, the body and the soul. Cinnamon also helps burn fat. Simple add a stick of cinnamon to your brew and let it do its magic.

Cinnamon Green Tea:

1 Stick cinnamon
1/2 Tsp green tea
Honey (optional)
Water

METHOD

1. Boil water
2. To a pot, add the cinnamon, the tea leaves and let it brew for 2 minutes.
3. Add honey and serve.

Turmeric:

Turmeric is packed with health benefits. It purifies blood and boosts circulation, improves the immune system, aids in the respiratory health, brain, cardiovascular and reproductive health. Has anti-septic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties. Turmeric is a natural remedy for coughs and colds.
Fresh turmeric is a versatile ingredient and can be added to soups, curries and baked dishes. Unlike powdered turmeric, it has a more subtle flavour.

Fresh turmeric pickle:

½ Cup fresh turmeric (sliced)
½ Cup carrot
½ Cup mango ginger (sliced)
½ Cup green peppercorns
2 Limes (juice)
2 Tbsp Jaggery
¼ Tsp Asafoetida
1 Tsp Fennel
¼ Tsp Fenugreek
3 Tsp Mustard seeds
2 Tbsp Mustard oil
Salt

METHOD

1. In your Ultra Mixer Grinder, make a coarse paste of mustard, fennel, fenugreek and asafoetida.
2. In a pan, heat the oil and add the spices. Turn off the gas and sauté in the hot pan. Transfer it to the cut vegetables and mix well.
3. Add the jaggery, salt and lemon juice. Mix well and store in a clean and dry airtight container.