Being one of the few native European spices white mustard plays a strong role in European cuisine. Besides its place in the kitchen mustard was also used for medicinal purposes in different cultures. Whether added to dressing, used in sandwiches, infused into marinades or added to cooking directly, mustard is a deal maker in my household. Whole dry, crushed, powdered, or as a delicious paste, anything goes. This is a review of a few variations of the condiment that currently reside in my house. The selection constantly changes because I love trying new inventions and some become my permanent favorites. Follow me.
Mustard was introduced to Europe by Romans and is mentioned in Roman cookbooks as far back as 4th century AD. The famous Dijon mustard firmly established its position in France about 8 centuries ago and was used extensively as a condiment through Europe. British mustard was another distinguished variation and its famous manufacturer Colman's Mustard celebrated 200 years of existence a few years ago. The condiment's popularity never faded and today it's being used in different cultural settings, from Asia to Europe to the Americas. The review is in order from left to right.
1. Dusseldorf Mustard by Sandwich Pal - your typical German-style brown mustard, stone ground. It feels a bit grainy and sour. Goes well with brats, beef, and pork.
2. Cuban Style Mustard by Sam's Mark (a Walmart brand) - Yellow, milder taste with pickle relish and liquid hickory smoke. It has a mellow savory flavor with smokiness. Goes perfectly on Cuban or other sandwiches with mildly seasoned cold roasts.
3. Dijon Mustard by Crowning Touch - good ol' classic Dijon. Creamy, brown, sour. Not as excellent as Grey Poupon but not that far off. The classic recipe would include a mix of brown and white mustard powder and white wine. Today, different manufacturers make subtle adjustments adding onion powder, salt, and other ingredients.
4. Dill Mustard by Amazon Pantry - The mildest mustard with lots of dill and very subtle sweetness. One of my favorites. Perfect on sandwiches or with pretzels.
5. Traditional Yellow by Berman's - your traditional turmeric tinted classic sour mustard that goes on your hotdog. It's an Aldi brand. Very similar to French's Yellow Mustard.
6. Old Style by Maille - High-end manufacturer. Made of the whole white and brown mustard seed softened in liquid. Very mild and grainy, has a bite to it. Perfect on roasts, brats, cold cuts.
There's more use to mustard paste than just a condiment. Spreading on a whole chicken rotisserie before roasting gives fantastic flavor to the crispy skin. Coating quarters of potatoes, turnip, or another mild root vegetable with mustard paste and roasting will give you an excellent flavorful side dish without much effort. Try it. Taste it. Pass it on.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with any mentioned brands.
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