Cooking with leaves(series contd) Stinging Nettle | Common Nettle | Bichu Nettle leaf is a weed plant, commonly grows in most parts of the world, known for its stinging leaves. In Kerala, we call it as Choriella(itchy-leaf). This plant is very commonly used as herbal medicine and can be used for cooking and eaten as a herb. Stinging nettle has been used since ages for medicinal purposes, the roots are used for urinary disorders, the tea made from leaves are given to people suffering from arthritis and diabetes, also used for skin-related issues. 🍴 How to cook with them? You can replace this leaf, in any recipe that uses spinach, add to your pasta, soups, with your eggs, steam, sautee, make a pesto. It tastes like spinach, milder though, with a slightly spicy taste like that of rocket leaves(arugula) 👩🌾 How to pick them? When looking for the plant, make sure to correctly identify it to be sure it is stinging nettle and not a similar-looking plant. A person can usually tell by looking at its leaf shape and structure(as in the image above) There are about 18 varieties, all look similar, can be eaten and highly nutritious and have that same troublesome stings. Before you cook with this plant, make sure it's very clean. Wash it well while wearing gloves to break up the needles or cook it down so they melt away. 💡Cooking ideas Make a herbal tea with the leaves, blend it along with your other ingredients to incorporate it in your soup, sautee and add along to your other veggies or meats, make a paste and add to your dough for bread, make pesto for your pasta or lasagna(image above) .. .. Have you cooked with Nettle leaves before? .. .. Send in your ideas/querirs in the comments below ⬇️ ⬇️ #nettleleaf #stingingnettletea #cookingwithnettles #stingernettle #nettlepesto #cookingwithleaves #cookalongwithchefsandhya #leavesofinstagram #healthymealsprep #medicinalleaves #medicinalherbgarden #herbalcooking #herbsthatheal #cookinghealthymeals #cheflifeislife #homegardeners #freshleavesfromthegarden #keralafoodblog #mumbaifoodblogger_ #iamanawesomeinfluencer #nettlepestopasta #foodphotographerindia #foodstylistindia https://www.instagram.com/p/CCaZq8OpaXC/?igshid=s7s99fk9qgk7