How to Make Prepared Mustard

Mustard seeds come in different varieties - yellow, brown, and black. While the yellow (or white) varieties are bigger with a milder flavor, black and brown mustard seeds are more pungent. Mustard seeds have a hot and spicy flavor, that is ideal for fish, meat, sauces, and salad dressings.

While whole mustard seeds are mainly used in pickles, curries, and for boiling vegetables, like cabbage; powdered seeds are also used for various culinary purposes. Powdered mustard seeds have no aroma, but it releases a hot flavor, when mixed with liquids.

Prepared mustard is one such condiment, which is made by combining powdered mustard seeds with other ingredients.

It is nothing other than the yellow-colored seasoning or condiment, that comes in tubes and jars, and is commonly referred to as mustard. However, the term, 'prepared mustard' may confuse you, as many people are not familiar with it.

In short, this condiment is made by combining mustard powder with other ingredients, and the end product can be used as topping, dips, seasoning, and marinade.

Apart from mustard, other ingredients, like water, vinegar, beer, wine, honey, and juice, are used for making prepared mustard in different flavors. It is the type of mustard seeds and the choice of other ingredients, that determine the flavor of the resultant product. However, making prepared mustard at home is very easy, provided, you know the right method.

So, prepared mustard comes in various types, and the common ones are honey, Dijon, spicy brown, stone ground, horseradish, and the traditional yellow mustard. Though these products are easily available in supermarkets, you can prepare them at home, without much efforts. The following are some simple and easy mustard recipes.

Method I

In order to prepare mustard with white wine, you need four tablespoons of dry mustard powder, one tablespoon each of white wine and white wine vinegar, and two tablespoons of water. All you have to do is to mix the ingredients thoroughly, and refrigerate after 30 minutes.

Method II

Ingredients

• Yellow mustard seeds - ¼ cup
• Brown mustard seeds - ¼ cup
• Mustard flour - 4 tsp.
• Dry white wine - 1 cup
• White wine vinegar - ¼ cup
• Sun-dried tomato halves - 8
• Fresh basil leaves (chopped) - ¼ cup
• Salt - to taste (or ½ tsp.

Soak the mustard seeds and dried tomato halves in wine for at least ten hours, and grind them with other ingredients to form a smooth paste. Refrigerate the paste, before use.

In order to prepare yellow mustard, you need four tablespoons each of dry mustard powder and white vinegar, along with ¼ teaspoon of turmeric. Add salt according to your taste. Mix the ingredients thoroughly, and refrigerate after 30 minutes. You may add a pinch of paprika and cayenne pepper for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• Kraft mayonnaise - ½ cup
• Dry mustard powder - ¼ cup
• Honey - ¼ cup
• Rice wine vinegar - 1 tbsp.
• Salt - as per taste
• Cayenne pepper - as per taste

The preparation method is similar to that of other recipes; i.e. mixing the ingredients, and refrigeration before use.

In short, making prepared mustard at home is really easy and inexpensive. Apart from that, you can experiment with different ingredients, like herbs and spices. One tablespoon of prepared mustard will be sufficient as a substitute to one teaspoon of dry mustard. However, try to balance the flavor.