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Different nettles are commonly known as stinging nettles because they contain chemicals called saponins, which cause them to sting. These chemicals also make them effective at helping us get rid of toxins from our system. This means that they can have a positive impact on health. The same goes for their leaves and stems. They can be cooked into soup or added to salads.

Nettles Tea (different tea)

To prepare this recipe you will need: 1 handful of nettle leaves (no more than 10g in total), water (enough to cover the plant material). Boil the nettles for 2-3 minutes over a medium heat. Strain out any liquid but keep it aside to use later. Add one teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper per mug and leave the tea to cool down. You may add honey if you wish.

Nettle Juice

For this recipe you will need 1 cup of fresh nettle leaves, juiced using a juice machine or blender. If you don’t have a juicer then just squeeze the leaves with your hands until all juices come out.

Nettle Soup

For this recipe you need: 150 g of nettle leaves, 250 ml of vegetable stock, ½ of an onion, 4 cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper. Chop up the nettle leaves and sauté them in the olive oil over a low heat for 5-10 minutes. Stir occasionally so you don’t burn them. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped onions, garlic and spices. Cook for another 5 minutes. Pour in vegetable stock and mix well. Simmer for 15 minutes and serve hot.

Nettle Salad

For this recipe you need: 100 g of dried nettle leaves, 200 ml of olive oil, salt, pepper. Soak the nettle leaves overnight in cold water. Rinse off excess water and dry thoroughly. Place the soaked nettle leaves onto kitchen paper towel and pat dry again. Put the leaves onto a salad tray, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Heat a frying pan and fry the nettle leaves until crispy. Serve immediately or store in the fridge.

Nettle Fritters

You will need: 50 g of wheat flour, ¼ cup of milk powder, 25 g of grated cheese, 3 eggs, 20 g of sugar, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 egg white. Mix together the flour, milk powder, grated cheese, eggs, sugar, salt, baking powder and egg white. Roll tablespoons full of the mixture and cook each fritter separately in a non-stick skillet until golden brown. Serve with butter.

Nettle Ice Cream

You will need: ¾ cup of coconut milk, 125 g of powdered gelatin, 75 g of sugar, 120 g of nettle leaf extract, ½ cup of heavy cream, 12 egg yolks, and ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Bring the coconut milk and gelatin to room temperature by leaving the bowl outside. Beat the egg yolks until light yellow and slowly beat in the sugar. Continue beating while adding the nettle leaf extract. Gradually pour in the gelatin mixture and combine well. Transfer the custard base to a container and place it in the freezer for about 45 minutes. Whip the heavy cream and fold into the custard base.

Freeze the ice cream base for a further 30 minutes. Turn the ice cream base out onto a sieve set over an ice filled container. Fold the sieve through the ice cream base and transfer back into the freezer. Repeat the folding process every hour for two hours until the ice cream is firm enough to scoop.

Nettle Pie

You will need: 350 g of blackberries, 300 g of stoned cherries, 225g of dark chocolate, 150g of nettle leaves, 375g of puff pastry dough, 8 egg yolks, 75g of caster sugar, ¼ teaspoon of sea salt, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon. Combine the fruits with the cherries and blackberries, add the nettle leaves and leave to infuse overnight. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350F). Grease a pie dish and line with puff pastry. Spread the fruit mixtures on top of the pastry and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.

 Conclusion

If you are looking for  different ways to use your nettle and have not found anything that interests you, do not worry! There are different more recipes that I can share with you soon. Just contact me if you would like to know more and I will be happy to help.