Nothing in the world is more adored than the fragrance of our mother land that is imbibed in our heart. The sweet familiarity of our homes in the roots of our motherland brings us closer to what we really are and differentiates us from what we have become to gain materialistic assets. There is one such asset which refreshes our memory as well as our taste buds whenever we think of our motherland that is Sarson ka saag which has originated from Punjab, the land of five rivers.

Sarson ka Saag is basically luscious green gravy served with a dollop of desi ghee and makki ki roti.

It is one of the most famous dishes of Punjab. Winter is the time when vegetable markets are loaded with lush green leafy vegetables. That’s why sarson ka saag is the sought after gem dish and quite simple to make, says Vikram Arora, Executive Sous Chef at Hotel Four Seasons, Mumbai.

Mustard leaves have a very distinct & little bitter taste, which goes away after cooking to a certain extent. It also possesses some sweetness which mellows down after cooking is done, so to balance out the taste, we add makai ka atta and sometimes little jaggery. Sarson ka saag tastes best with makki ki roti, homemade white butter, and jiggery, traditionally saag used to be cooked in an earthen ware pot with charcoal underneath, continues Chef Vikram.

Here are some tips and tricks one should keep in mind while preparing sarson ka saag

1. Proportion of the various green leaves used in the recipe should be exact.
2. Do not blanch & grind the leaves.
3. Use spices to minimal to retain its taste and use garlic, ginger, green chilli to enhance the taste.

Benefits of sarson ka saag, as suggested by Chef:

 1. Rich in anti-oxidants:

Mustard Greens or sarson ka saag, is a powerhouse of antioxidants, which include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin E. Antioxidants are substances which help in preventing cell damage, caused by oxidative stress. The antioxidants present in mustard greens help in providing protection against such damages.

2. Contains Iron:

Mustard greens are not only a store house of iron, but they are also rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium and manganese.

3. Good for eye health:

To keep our eyes healthy it is very important for us to add the intake of Vitamin A in our diet. In one cup of Mustard greens there is lots of vitamin A which is highly important for our eyes. Lack of Vitamin A can also lead to night blindness, so it is important to lubricate your eyes by giving them required amount of Vitamin A.

4. Helps in controlling cholesterol level:

Mustard greens are proved to be good at decreasing the bad cholesterol level, thus it is very important for us to add them to our meals as often as we can.

5. Contains dietary fiber:

The fibers, present in mustard greens helps in controlling the cholesterol level. Adequate amount of fiber in our diet makes the bowel movement easier and helps in protecting from the problems like constipation and colon cancer.