Day August 1, 2024

Why Is Mustard Oil Used In Making Pickles?

mustard oil for pickles

Many cultures appreciate pickles as a popular foodstuff capable of spicing up various dishes from different age groups. One of the most important ingredients for making pickles is mustard oil. But why do people use mustard oil to make pickled products? Due to their natural preservative quality, mustard preserves enable these items to stay fresh longer than other types of food. In addition, it gives them a sharp and distinct taste, thus making many individuals prefer it to other kinds.

In addition, mustard oil has antimicrobial properties, which prevent the development of bacteria and fungi. Let us now look at these causes in simple terms.

The Role of Mustard Oil in Pickling

1

Preservative Properties

Mustard oil is a natural preservative. During pickling, fruits or vegetables are preserved to become fresh for a significant period. It performs this function by inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth in the product. Consequently, your pickles will remain delicious and safe to consume over many months.

2

Unique Flavor

Pickles taste different from others because of a spice called mustard oil. The flavor is so intense and biting that this pickle tastes better. More importantly, this oil enhances the flavor of the spices inside these pickles, giving them a distinct, unique taste.

3

Antioxidant Properties

In fighting against spoilage of pickles, natural antioxidants are contained in mustard oil. In that way, the color and taste of the pickles remain unaffected by spoiling agents. It also implies that your mustard will still taste and appear good for an extended period.

4

Enhances Shelf Life

The shelf life of pickles is increased by mustard oil. Thus, lasting longer than on other occasions, they can be stored without harming them due to their microbe’s deterrent nature. This becomes very helpful in hot climates where food spoils easily due to humid conditions.

Health Benefits of Mustard Oil

1

Rich in Healthy Fats

Good for the heart, mustard oil is high in monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. These good fats can help in lowering bad cholesterol levels thus reducing heart ailments. Accordingly, having mustard oil in your meals would promote better cardiovascular function and overall body well-being.

2

Digestive Booster

Mustard oil causes gastric juices to be released which make digestion easy. It can also calm heartburn and encourage an effective digestive system. Inclusion of mustard oil into food you cook is good for digestion improvement and relieving carbohydrate digestion problems hence it is a good dietary supplement.

3

Antimicrobial & antifungal

Mustard oil has natural antimicrobial and antifungal characteristics. These properties help protect against infections as well as heal small cuts or scratches. Local plants like mustard oil are also disinfectants keeping away dangerous germs allowing faster healing.

4

Rich in Antioxidants

The oil is filled with antioxidants, which assist in fighting free radicals in the body. It can slow the aging process and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Using mustard oil regularly will improve your body’s defense against oxidative stress, leading to long-term health and vitality.

Making Pickles with Mustard Oil

1

Choosing the Right Ingredients

When making pickles, you should choose fresh and clean fruits or vegetables. In addition, spices like cumin seeds should be fresh. The best taste and preservation are ascertained using Sonali Oil, one of the top-quality mustard oils.

2

Preparing the Ingredients

Ensure that the fruits or vegetables are thoroughly washed and dried. You can cut them into shapes or sizes as desired; however, remember to remove any moisture, as it could spoil the pickles.

3

Spices and Fruits Mixing

Mix the sliced fruits or vegetables with spices and salt. Some available spices include turmeric, red pepper, cumin, and mustard seeds. This helps to enhance the flavor and makes the food last longer.

4

Adding Mustard Oil

Warm some mustard oil, and then cool it down. Pour the cooled oil over the chopped fruits or vegetables mixed with spices. Ensure that oil covers all ingredients completely for better taste preservation.

5

Storing the Pickles

Store pickles in clean, dry jars and ensure they are airtight. The jars should be kept in a cool, dry place and shaken occasionally to distribute the oil evenly within the jar.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why mustard oil is important for making pickles. It helps to prevent the pickles from spoiling while also giving them taste and health benefits. Its taste-enhancing properties improve flavor, its capacity to thicken food results in perfect textures, and its antibacterial action prevents spoilage, making it an ideal choice for pickle making. The fact that mustard oil is traditionally used for this purpose and can be easily obtained with higher smoke points enhances its deliciousness and durability.

Using mustard oil in your pickling preserves foods, brings back memories of family recipes, and gives your meals a health boost. Sonali Oil has the top-quality mustard oil & Kachi ghani oil for making delicious and long-lasting pickles. It improves the taste of pickles and makes them more attractive. Sonali Oil keeps your pickle fresh and safe for a long time because it possesses natural preservative qualities. Pick Sonali Oil and enjoy the maximum taste in every bite of your pickled food.

FAQs:

Can I use different oils to prepare pickles?

A. Yes, you can prepare pickles using other kinds of oil, such as vegetable oil or olive oil. However, mustard oil is often the choice because it has better preservative properties and a distinctive taste when compared to the others. Though different types of oils may be used, they guarantee less preservation than mustard oil. Besides this, it also tastes very strong and makes them more delicious. If you want to substitute another oil, ensure it will preserve food well and last long.

What is the shelf life of pickles made using mustard oil?

A. Sometimes mustard oil pickles can last for a year or even more, but only if they are kept in tight-lid containers and stored in dry cool places. Because of the mustard oil, there will be no germs and fungus that would spoil the pickles. Therefore, it is necessary to have them dipped into oil thereby increasing their shelf life. One should use clean utensils and check any changes of spoiling them.

Is mustard oil a reference to everyone’s menu?

A. Many people are able to use mustard oil in their meals but it’s necessary to be aware of the allergies or health problems. Mustard oil can cause allergy to some people when used on certain foods. If you are trying mustard oil for the first time, begin with a small amount. Again, different health problems might force you to live without ingesting mustard oil. In case of doubts about whether one should eat mustard oil, it is better to consult with doctors and healthcare providers, especially when one is pregnant, nursing, or has some medical conditions previously existing.

5 Easy Indian Recipes For Breakfast Using Mustard Oil

Easy Indian Recipes For Breakfast

Aloo Paratha (Potato Stuffed Flatbread)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 3-4 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
  • 2 green chilies, finely chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves, chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Mustard oil

Instructions:

1

Dough Preparation:

Stirring whole wheat flour and water in a large container until it coalesces into a form of soft dough. Leave it for 15 minutes.

2

Mix the Filling:

Combine mashed potatoes with onions, green chillies, cumin seeds, garam masala spices, red chili powder coriander leaves and salt in another bowl.

3

Paratha Stuffing:

The dough could be cut into small balls and each ball is then rolled out to make a small circle one at a time. Put a spoonful of potato filling at its center before folding its edges around the filling, keeping it sealed. Now, gently flatten them to make flat breads.

4

Cook the Paratha:

First, coat your pan slightly with mustard oil. Finally, cook the parathas over medium flame until they turn golden brown on both sides and become crispy.

5

Serve:

Serve hot with yogurt or pickle

Poha (Flattened Rice)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups poha (flattened rice)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green chili, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 8-10 curry leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 cup peanuts
  • 1 medium potato, diced
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
  • Lemon wedges
  • Mustard oil

Instructions:

1

Prepare the Poha:

 Rinse the poha under cold water and drain well. Set aside.

2

Cook the Potatoes:

Heat mustard oil in a pan and fry the diced potatoes until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.

3

Cook the Poha:

In the same pan, add more mustard oil if necessary. Afterward, add mustard seeds and let them spatter/ crackle when they touch the hot surface of the pan. Add onions, green chili, curry leaves/ bay or kari patta, etc., and sauté for some time so that the onions are softened.

4

Mix Everything:

Add turmeric powder, peanuts, and fried potatoes (pan). Mix properly. Take the rinsed poha, sprinkle salt, and gently stir it over everything else.

5

Garnish and Serve:

Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with lemon wedges.

Besan Chilla (Savory Gram Flour Pancake)

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup gram flour (besan)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small tomato, finely chopped
  • 1 green chili, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Water
  • Mustard oil

Instructions:

1

Prepare the Batter:

In a bowl, mix together besan, onion, tomato, jeera powder and chilli powder, corriander leaves, haldi and salt. Slowly add water to get a batter of smooth consistency.

2

Make Chilla:

Heat a pan and apply a coat of mustard oil over it. Pour one spoonful of batter into the frying pan and distribute evenly. Cook until both sides become golden brown, using medium heat.

3

Serve:

Serve hot with chutney or yogurt.

Puri (Fried Indian Bread) with Aloo Sabzi (Potato Curry)

Ingredients for Puri:

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • Salt to taste
  • Water
  • Mustard oil for deep frying

Ingredients for Aloo Sabzi:

  • 4 medium potatoes, boiled and diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Mustard oil

Instructions:

Dough Preparation for Puri: In a bowl, mix whole wheat flour with salt and water to form a firm dough. Leave it for 15 minutes.

1

Prepare The Puris:

Divide the dough into small balls and turn each into a little circle. Cook until they pop up and become golden brown, frying them in mustard oil heated in a deep pan. Drain using paper towels.

2

Prepare Aloo Sabzi:

Heat mustard oil in a pan. Sprinkle cumin seeds and throw some mustard seeds therein; let them burst. Split onions until they turn golden brown in color together with tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Simmer gently until tomatoes soften. Diced potatoes should be added to this mix. Cook for another few minutes. Serve using fresh coriander leaves, then present puris and aloo sabzi.

3

Serve:

Serve using fresh coriander leaves, then present puris and aloo sabzi.

Masala Omelette

Ingredients:

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small tomato, finely chopped
  • 1 small tomato, finely chopped
  • 1 green chili, finely chopped
  • Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Mustard oil

Instructions:

1

Preparation of Omelette Mixture:

Mix the eggs in a bowl. Add tomato, onion, green pepper, coriander leaves, turmeric powder and red chili powder; then salt and mix well.

2

Make an Omelette:

Making an Omelette involves heating some mustard oil in a pan. The beaten egg mixture is poured into the pan ensuring it is spread evenly. Cook on medium heat until one side turns golden brown and then flip to cook the other side properly.

3

Serve:

Serve hot with toast or chapati

Conclusion

To make your breakfast more delicious, add mustard oil to it. Also, it is a great idea for human health. Sonali Oil is an established name that produces real Indian mustard oil which gives these meals their unique taste.

Be it parathas or poha, chilla or puris, omelets or anything at all, that’s what will add aroma into your food while making it healthy too. For years, families have trusted Sonali Oil, which is thus the perfect accompaniment in cooking. Make your breakfasts delicious and nutritious with our easy Indian recipes breakfast.