Mustard oil comes from the seeds of mustard plants. It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which appear to reduce the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease. However, cooking with oil may pose a serious risk, especially for children.
There are some ingredients that can never be replaced in the Indian kitchen. Not only are they essential in creating various regional delicacies, but their uses are also manifold and extend beyond the confines of the kitchen. One such example is mustard oil. While it does take some “getting used to” to familiarize yourself with the pungency, get past it and you will soon learn to appreciate its unique flavor. It is addictive.In Eastern and North-Eastern India, it is hard to imagine life without a bottle of mustard oil at home. It is believed to have miraculous properties and therefore is used as a remedy to treat cold, boost immunity, encourage hair growth, provide nourishment to skin (especially in case of babies who are massaged with mustard oil during winters and made to sunbathe for a dose of Vitamin D and also to strengthen the bones), oral health, so on and so forth.
Mustard oil (Sarson ka tel) is extracted from mustard seeds (black, brown and white), and is reddish-brown or amber in color. It has been commonly used in North and East India since ancient times and comes with a bevy of health benefits.
If you plan to switch to cold-pressed oils, make sure you are not heating them too much, use them on top of salads, pieces of bread and cooked meats for a combination of flavor and health.
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