Neem leaves, known for their medicinal properties, can also be used to prepare delicious dishes. Consuming them not only pleases the taste buds but also offers numerous health benefits. Let’s explore three recipes that incorporate neem leaves and are both tasty and nutritious.
Neem Begun (Neem-infused Eggplant)
This Bengali dish is particularly popular during summers. To prepare it, you’ll need mustard oil, chopped eggplant, green chilies, neem leaves, salt, and turmeric. First, heat oil in a pan and fry the neem leaves until crispy. Remove them and set aside. In the same pan, add more oil and fry the chopped eggplant until golden and crispy. Then, add chopped chilies and neem leaves. Season with salt according to taste and fry well. Your dish is now ready to be served.
Neem Leaf Chutney
Neem leaf chutney is a traditional South Indian dish known for its exceptional taste and health benefits. To make this chutney, you’ll need neem leaves, jaggery powder, cumin seeds, and salt. Blend neem leaves, cumin seeds, salt, and jaggery powder in a blender, adding a splash of water. Blend until you get a smooth paste. Transfer it to a bowl. For added flavor, temper it with coconut oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and a pinch of asafoetida.
Neem Sukhto (Neem-infused Mixed Vegetables)
Neem Sukhto is a traditional Bengali dish prepared with neem leaves and a variety of vegetables. To make it, you’ll need neem leaves, chopped potatoes, sweet potatoes, raw papaya, raw banana, eggplant, drumsticks, lentil fritters, bay leaf, panch phoron (a blend of five spices), ginger-green chili paste, yellow mustard paste, poppy seed paste, radhuni paste, milk, salt, sugar, and mustard oil. First, roast the neem leaves and set them aside. In a pan, heat mustard oil and fry lentil fritters until golden. Fry all the vegetables separately until lightly browned and set aside. In the same pan, add more oil and temper with bay leaf and panch phoron. Add ginger-green chili paste and fry well. Then, add mustard paste, poppy seed paste, and radhuni paste. Cook until the raw smell disappears. Add water and bring it to a boil. Now, add the fried vegetables and neem leaves. Mix well. Add milk, salt, and sugar according to taste. Let it simmer until the vegetables are cooked through. Serve hot with rice.
These neem leaf recipes offer a delicious way to incorporate the health benefits of neem into your diet, especially during the hot summer months. So, give these recipes a try and enjoy the taste along with the goodness of neem for your well-being.