Can you freeze curry leaves and mustard seeds together? Find out if this meal-prep hack works for creating an instant tadka base from the freezer.
1 Answer
No, it's not recommended to freeze curry leaves *with* mustard seeds. Curry leaves freeze well on their own, but mustard seeds don't benefit from freezing and are best stored dry.
Detailed Explanation:
Freezing curry leaves is a great way to preserve their flavor and aroma for later use. To freeze them properly, first wash and thoroughly dry the curry leaves. Excess moisture can lead to freezer burn. Once dry, you can either place the leaves in a freezer-safe bag or container, or flash freeze them by spreading them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper before transferring them to a freezer bag. This prevents them from clumping together.Mustard seeds, on the other hand, are best stored in a cool, dry place. Freezing them doesn't significantly extend their shelf life or improve their flavor. In fact, they might absorb moisture and become slightly mushy upon thawing, which isn't ideal for their characteristic pop when tempered in oil. Therefore, it's best to store curry leaves and mustard seeds separately.
Pro Tip:
When using frozen curry leaves, add them directly to hot oil or your dish without thawing. This helps to retain their flavor and prevent them from becoming soggy.