Herbs and spices are like gold dust. Just a sprinkle of them can add multiple benefits to our plate. Not only do they taste and smell good and make our meals flavourful but also provide nutrients. Dill leaves is one such herb that we can add to our food. The freshness and distinct aroma (thanks to the essential oils like carvone, limonene, and phellandrene present in them) make it a perfect combination to garnish many dishes.
“Dill leaves can be a great addition to our diet as they are rich in calcium and provide other benefits too,” says Smriti Mishra, founder, and clinical nutritionist of Fitgenix, Mumbai.
Health benefits of dill leaves
By virtue of being a source of vitamin C, dill leaves support our immune system, says Mishra.
She adds that they also help in maintaining bone health. Regular consumption of these leaves can help people with iron deficiency anaemia as they are rich in iron too.
The list does not end here. They also help maintain our gut health. A study published in the Journal of Pharmacognosy Review, suggests that when it comes to medicinal use, dill leaves are used as an ingredient in gripe water to relieve stomach pain and gas in infants.
In addition, they can improve appetite and aid in digestion as they are rich in fibre. The essential oils present in these leaves have anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce inflammation and fight against infections in our gut.
Mishra says that vitamin A and antioxidants present in the leaves can help maintain vision and skin health. All these benefits combine to help prevent the risk of chronic health conditions, she adds.
Ways to add dill leaves to your diet
There are plenty of interesting ways to incorporate dill leaves into your diet. An aromatic and delicious tea can be made by infusing the leaves in hot water. To make it, boil water in a pot. Add a few dill leaves to it. Let it simmer for five minutes. Filter it and enjoy.
The leaves can also be added to garnish soups such as tomato, mushroom, or carrot soup.
The fresh leaves can be chopped and added to your salads.
It can be used to make homemade dips. You can make a simple dip by mixing Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, freshly crushed garlic, and dill leaves finely chopped or crushed in their dry form. You can also add a few strands of dill leaves to pickles to enhance the flavour.
Moreover, you can make your breakfast healthy and delicious with the touch of dill leaves. Sprinkle some of it on the omelette and you are good to go for the day.
Here is a vegetarian recipe. Try it at home and let us know how it turned out to be in the comments section below.
Carrot and dill leaves parantha:
Ingredients:
Wheat flour – 2 cups
Carrots, grated – ½ cup
Dill leaves, finely chopped – ½ cup
Salt – ½ teaspoon
Cumin powder – ½ teaspoon
Coriander powder – ½ teaspoon
Red chilli powder – ½ teaspoon
Carom seeds – ½ teaspoon
Oil for cooking
Water to knead the dough
How to make:
In a large bowl, mix the wheat flour, carrot, dill leaves, salt, cumin powder, coriander powder, crushed carom seeds, and red chilli powder.
Add water to it little by little and mix well to make a smooth dough. Make medium-sized balls out of it and roll them into a circle. Add dusting powder if necessary while doing so.
In a hot pan, on medium flame, cook both sides . Use oil on each side.
Serve hot paranthas with pickle or any side dish.
