15 Chinese Mustard Greens Indian Recipe Delight In These Amazing Recipes!
Published on: Mar 23, 2024
When we think of Indian cuisine, our minds often conjure up images of rich curries, spicy sauces, and aromatic spices. However, there is a lesser-known ingredient that adds a unique and delicious flavor to many Indian dishes – Chinese mustard greens. These leafy greens are a staple in Chinese cuisine, but have also been incorporated into Indian cooking, resulting in a delectable fusion of flavors. In this article, we will explore the history and health benefits of Chinese mustard greens, as well as provide a mouth-watering recipe to incorporate them into your next Indian-inspired meal.
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Onion, Garam Masala, Ground Coriander
Mustard greens are a staple in many Indian dishes, and this Indian-style recipe is a delicious way to enjoy them. The combination of spicy mustard greens and fragrant spices make for a mouth-watering dish that will leave you wanting more.
To make this dish, start by heating oil in a pan and adding mustard seeds and cumin seeds until they start to sizzle. Then, add in chopped onions, garlic, and ginger and cook until the onions are translucent. Next, add in chopped mustard greens and cook until they are wilted.
Finally, add in a mixture of spices such as garam masala, turmeric, and coriander, and let the dish simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This Indian-style mustard greens dish is perfect served over rice or with naan bread to soak up all the delicious flavors.
2of 15
Sarson Ka Saag (Indian Mustard Greens)
Main Ingredients: Dried Red Chile Peppers, Fresh Spinach, Mustard Greens
In this traditional Punjabi dish, mustard greens are the star ingredient. Sarson ka saag is a creamy, rich dish that is often served with makki di roti, a cornmeal flatbread. This dish is a labor of love, as it requires a lot of time and patience to cook the mustard greens down to a thick, creamy consistency.
To make this dish, start by blanching the mustard greens in boiling water for a few minutes, then blending them into a fine puree. In a separate pan, heat oil and add in cumin seeds and asafoetida until they start to sizzle. Then, add in chopped onions and cook until they are golden brown.
Next, add in the mustard green puree and let it simmer for a while. Then, add in spices such as garam masala, red chili powder, and coriander powder and let the dish cook until the oil separates from the mixture. This dish is often finished off with a dollop of ghee for added richness and flavor.
3of 15
Steamed Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Mustard Greens, Water, Sugar, Cooking Oil
Preserved mustard greens, also known as mei cai in Chinese, are a popular ingredient in many Chinese dishes. This recipe for steamed pork belly with preserved mustard greens is a delicious and savory way to enjoy this unique ingredient.
To make this dish, start by marinating thinly sliced pork belly in a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Then, layer the marinated pork belly on top of a bed of chopped preserved mustard greens in a steamer. Steam the dish for about an hour, until the pork belly is tender and the flavors have melded together.
This dish is often served with a side of white rice and makes for a satisfying and flavorful meal that will impress your taste buds.
4of 15
Indian Saag
Main Ingredients: Butter, Cumin Seed, Chile Pepper, Garlic, Ground
Another popular Indian dish featuring mustard greens is saag. This dish is a hearty and comforting combination of mustard greens, spinach, and fenugreek leaves cooked in a creamy and flavorful sauce.
To make this dish, start by blanching the mustard greens, spinach, and fenugreek leaves in boiling water for a few minutes, then blending them into a fine puree. In a separate pan, heat oil and add in mustard seeds and cumin seeds until they start to sizzle. Then, add in chopped onions, garlic, and ginger and cook until the onions are translucent.
Next, add in the pureed greens and let the dish simmer for a while. Then, add in spices such as garam masala, coriander powder, and turmeric and let the flavors meld together. This dish is typically finished off with a generous amount of heavy cream for added richness and creaminess.
5of 15
Steamed Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens 梅菜扣肉...
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Star Anise, Green Onion, Ginger, Boiling
This is a variation of the Chinese dish mentioned earlier, but instead of steaming the pork belly on top of preserved mustard greens, the preserved greens are used to wrap the pork belly before steaming. This creates a unique and delicious flavor combination as the flavors of the pork belly infuse into the preserved mustard greens.
To make this dish, start by marinating thinly sliced pork belly in a mixture of light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Then, wrap the marinated pork belly in a layer of preserved mustard greens and secure them with toothpicks.
Steam the dish for about an hour, until the pork belly is tender and the flavors have melded together. This dish is often served with a side of white rice and makes for a unique and delicious meal.
6of 15
Tofu Curry With Mustard Greens
Main Ingredients: Extra Firm Tofu, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fine Sea Salt
If you're looking for a vegetarian option, this tofu curry with mustard greens is a delicious and nutritious choice. The combination of creamy tofu and spicy mustard greens makes for a flavorful and satisfying dish.
To make this dish, start by sautéing chopped onions, garlic, and ginger in a pan until they are translucent. Then, add in diced tofu and cook until it starts to brown. Next, add in spices such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric and let the flavors meld together.
Add in chopped mustard greens and let them cook until they are wilted. You can also add in a can of coconut milk for added creaminess and flavor. Serve this curry over rice or with naan bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
7of 15
Egg Stir-Fry Chinese Mustard 雪菜炒蛋
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Green Onions, Ginger, Chili, Mustard Greens
This simple and quick stir-fry dish is a popular way to enjoy Chinese mustard greens. The combination of fluffy scrambled eggs and crunchy mustard greens makes for a delicious and satisfying meal.
To make this dish, start by sautéing chopped onions and minced garlic in a pan until they are fragrant. Then, add in chopped mustard greens and cook until they are slightly wilted. In a separate pan, scramble eggs and add them to the mustard greens.
Add in a splash of soy sauce and a pinch of sugar for added flavor. This dish is typically served over a bed of rice and is a quick and easy way to enjoy the unique flavors of Chinese mustard greens.
8of 15
Stir-fried Chinese Mustard Greens (Xuelihong)
Main Ingredients: Oil, Garlic, Dried Red Chili Peppers, Mustard Greens
This classic Chinese dish is a popular way to enjoy Chinese mustard greens. The combination of the slightly bitter greens and savory sauce makes for a delicious and flavorful stir-fry.
To make this dish, start by sautéing chopped onions, minced garlic, and ginger in a pan until they are fragrant. Then, add in chopped mustard greens and cook until they are slightly wilted.
Add in a sauce made of oyster sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and a pinch of sugar. Let the dish cook for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This dish is typically served over a bed of rice and is a delicious way to enjoy Chinese mustard greens.
Main Ingredients: Butter Oil, Large Yellow Onion, Carrots, Cauliflower
This unique and flavorful dish combines the fragrant flavors of biryani with the earthy sweetness of winter squash. The combination of the two creates a delicious and satisfying meal that will impress your taste buds.
To make this dish, start by cooking basmati rice in a mixture of vegetable broth and coconut milk. While the rice is cooking, roast diced winter squash in the oven until it is tender.
Once the rice is cooked, mix in chopped mustard greens, garlic, ginger, and spices such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Stuff the mixture into the roasted winter squash and bake in the oven until it is heated through. Serve with a side of raita for a complete and delicious meal.
10of 15
Saag Paneer - Indian-Style Greens with Homemade Cheese
Main Ingredients: Whole Milk, Buttermilk, Freshly Ground Pepper, Kosher
Saag paneer is a popular Indian dish that features a combination of creamy paneer cheese and spicy greens. This dish is a delicious and unique way to enjoy mustard greens.
To make this dish, start by blanching mustard greens, spinach, and fenugreek leaves in boiling water for a few minutes, then blending them into a fine puree. In a separate pan, heat oil and add in mustard seeds and cumin seeds until they start to sizzle. Then, add in chopped onions, garlic, and ginger and cook until the onions are translucent.
Add in the pureed greens and let the dish simmer for a while. Then, add in spices such as garam masala, red chili powder, and coriander powder and let the flavors meld together. Finally, add in cubes of paneer cheese and let them cook until they are heated through. Serve this dish over rice or with naan bread for a delicious and satisfying meal.
11of 15
Hariyali Paneer (A creamy, decadent and nutritious...
Main Ingredients: Spice Blend, Coriander Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Fennel
This dish is a variation of saag paneer, but instead of using mustard greens, it features a combination of spinach and mint. The addition of mint gives this dish a unique and refreshing flavor that pairs well with the creamy paneer cheese.
To make this dish, start by blanching spinach and mint leaves in boiling water for a few minutes, then blending them into a fine puree. In a separate pan, heat oil and add in mustard seeds and cumin seeds until they start to sizzle. Then, add in chopped onions, garlic, and ginger and cook until the onions are translucent.
Add in the pureed greens and let the dish simmer for a while. Then, add in spices such as garam masala, red chili powder, and coriander powder and let the flavors meld together. Finally, add in cubes of paneer cheese and let them cook until they are heated through. Serve this dish over rice or with naan bread for a delicious and refreshing meal.
In the southern United States, mustard greens are a popular ingredient in many dishes. This classic southern preparation is a delicious and simple way to enjoy the unique flavors of mustard greens.
To make this dish, start by simmering chopped mustard greens in a mixture of chicken broth and apple cider vinegar. Add in chopped onions, smoked ham hock, and spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Let the greens cook until they are tender and the flavors have melded together. This dish is often served with a side of cornbread for a complete and satisfying meal.
13of 15
Mustard Greens
Main Ingredients: Onions, Garlic, Olive Oil, Mustard Greens, Chicken
For a simple and traditional way to enjoy mustard greens, try this classic recipe. This dish is a simple preparation that lets the natural flavors of the mustard greens shine.
To make this dish, start by sautéing chopped onions and minced garlic in a pan until they are fragrant. Then, add in chopped mustard greens and cook until they are slightly wilted.
Add in a splash of balsamic vinegar and let the dish cook for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This dish is often served as a side dish and pairs well with a variety of main dishes.
14of 15
Suan Cai Yu (Easy Version)
Main Ingredients: Catfish Fillets, Egg Whites, White Pepper, Salt, Potato
This Chinese dish features a combination of preserved mustard greens and tilapia fish. This unique and flavorful dish is a delicious way to enjoy the unique flavors of preserved mustard greens.
To make this dish, start by marinating tilapia fillets in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and white pepper. In a separate pan, heat oil and add in chopped onions and ginger until they are fragrant.
Then, add in chopped preserved mustard greens and let them cook for a few minutes. Next, add in the marinated tilapia fillets and let the dish cook until the fish is fully cooked. Serve this dish over a bed of rice for a complete and delicious meal.
15of 15
Cantonese Wonton Noodle Soup (港式云吞面)
Main Ingredients: Wonton Wrappers, Shell On Shrimp, Ground Pork, Sake
This classic Cantonese dish features a combination of mustard greens, wontons, and egg noodles. The flavors of the mustard greens and the savory wontons make for a delicious and satisfying soup.
Chinese Mustard Greens Indian Recipe: A Delicious Blend of Flavors
The Origins of Chinese Mustard Greens in Indian Cuisine
Chinese mustard greens, also known as gai choy in Chinese, have been cultivated in China for thousands of years. However, they were brought to India by Chinese immigrants during the 19th century. These immigrants settled in the eastern and southern parts of India, bringing with them their traditional cooking techniques and ingredients. Chinese mustard greens were quickly incorporated into Indian dishes, adding a new and unique flavor to the already diverse cuisine. Today, Chinese mustard greens are widely available in Indian markets and are a popular ingredient in many Indian households.
The Health Benefits of Chinese Mustard Greens
In addition to their delicious taste, Chinese mustard greens also pack a powerful nutritional punch. They are a great source of vitamin A, C, and K, as well as calcium, potassium, and iron. They are also low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great addition to a healthy diet. Chinese mustard greens are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including coughs and sore throats.
A Must-Try Recipe: Chinese Mustard Greens with Indian Spices
Now that we know a little more about the origins and health benefits of Chinese mustard greens, let's dive into a delicious recipe that combines the flavors of China and India.
Ingredients:
1 bunch of Chinese mustard greens
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Wash and chop the Chinese mustard greens into bite-sized pieces.
In a pan, heat the oil and add the cumin seeds. Once they start to sizzle, add the onion, garlic, and ginger.
Sauté until the onions are translucent.
Add the coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Stir until combined.
Add the chopped Chinese mustard greens and mix well.
Cover the pan and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the greens are tender, remove from heat and serve hot.
This dish can be served as a side to your favorite Indian meal or enjoyed as a main dish with some rice or naan bread. The combination of Chinese mustard greens with Indian spices creates a flavorful and unique dish that is sure to impress your taste buds.
In conclusion, Chinese mustard greens add a delicious and nutritious twist to traditional Indian cuisine. Whether you are looking to try a new ingredient or spice up your go-to Indian recipes, be sure to give Chinese mustard greens a try. Your taste buds and body will thank you.