Mustard: Not Just Another Condiment

Mustard can easily be made at home and will keep almost indefinitely if refrigerated. These homemade mustards can be adjusted to your family's specific tastes and also make excellent presents. Hot Mustard (cooked)

Ingredients: 2 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/3 cup dry mustard 6 eggs, well beaten 1 1/3 cup white vinegar

Preparation: Mix sugar and mustard in large saucepan. Slowly add eggs and vinegar, blending well. Stirring constantly, cook over low heat until thick. Cool. Makes 5 half-pints. Keep refrigerated.

Homemade "Prepared" Mustard (no-cook)

Ingredients: 1 (1 1/2-ounce) can powdered mustard 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons cider vinegar 2 tablespoons olive or other cooking oil 1 tablespoon cold water ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Preparation: Mix mustard, sugar, and salt, add remaining ingredients gradually and beat until smooth. Spoon into a sterilized jar, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Makes ½ cup.

The flavors of each of these mustards can easily be adjusted by the addition of various spices. Experiment to discover what works best for your family.

Mustard was originally used medicinally and, in many areas of the world, it is still utilized to cure a variety of problems. It can serve as an anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, laxative, diuretic, rubefacient, irritant, and emetic. It can also be used in combating sinus problems in much the same way as chiles, which are said to be as effective as commercial decongestants. Mustard increases blood circulation, hence its use as mustard plaster, a dressing used to bring increased blood flow to inflamed areas of the body. Mustard flour sprinkled in your socks is said to save your toes from frostbite, a claim which is also made about cayenne pepper and other spices containing volatile oils. The same plaster, made from the powdered seeds of black mustard or the milder species, has also been used to relieve arthritis, rheumatism, toothache, and other causes of soreness or stiffness.

Mustard plasters are made by combining powdered mustard, flour, and water and then spreading the subsequent paste of paper or cloth, applying it to the skin. It is necessary to keep one layer of cloth between the solution and the skin, to avoid blistering of the skin. This often causes redness and other skin irritations, but is an excellent help in counteracting such illnesses as colds and flu. An excellent article about mustard plasters and a recipe for them can be found at http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/natu... .

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