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Heart leaves- its medicinal value and use in Assamese cuisine


Heart leaves in Assamese Is called Mosondori. Its binomial name is Houttuynia cordate. It is a small plant mostly known for its medicinal value. It grows in moist and shady places. It is a flowering plant and its leaves look like circular heart shaped.  It may because of its heart shaped leaves, the name Is heart  leaves plant. Flowers are tiny white and bloom in winter season only. Heart leaves are edible and used as a herbal medicine to cure stomach related problems. It is good for diuresis and detoxification.

        Heart leaves or mosondori are used as recipes in Assamese cuisine.  These recipes are treated as home medicines. Some use these leaves  to make fish curry.  Here I am sharing 3 chutney recipes which are also used as medicines.



1. Raw heart leaves chutney

Ingredients:

1 bunch of heart leaves
2-3 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp mustard oil
Salt to taste

Method:
Make a fine paste using all the ingredients. Serve  with rice.

2. Boiled heart leaves chutney

Ingredients:

1 bunch of heart leaves
1 tbsp mustard oil
Salt to taste

Method:
Boil heart leaves. In a bawl mash heart leaves. Add salt and mustard oil. Serve with rice.

3. Heart leaves cooked in banana leaf

Ingredients:

1 bunch of heart leaves
Banana leaf
1 tbsp mustard oil
Salt to taste

Method:
 Take a small piece of banana leaf. Mix all the other ingredients.  Wrap it in banana leaf. In an open tava place the wrapped heart leaves and cook in low heat. Use a non stick tava. If the tava is not non stick, rub with mustard oil. Serve with rice.
Check the complete recipe here

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