The bright orange color of ground turmeric is highly recognizable and has been used in cooking for centuries. You’re a big fan of turmeric so do you know how to cook with turmeric?
As a staple in Indian, Chinese, and Caribbean cooking, turmeric has been delivering health benefits for centuries. Now showing up in recipes and on menus across the world, people are beginning to understand that turmeric is much more than a spice.
The reason for its rise to fame comes from its medicinal properties. Turmeric possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help relieve and prevent many serious health conditions.
Adding a few dashes to each meal may be just what the doctor ordered.
Why You Should Use Turmeric
Turmeric has long been praised in Eastern cultures as a powerful ingredient and much more than a simple spice. The main compound in turmeric, curcumin, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that everyone is growing to love.
An Ancient Remedy With Modern Benefits
Adding turmeric to your diet benefits your overall health by lowering your risk of inflammatory diseases, including arthritis and several digestive problems, like inflammatory bowel syndrome.
It has also been helpful for supporting a healthy liver, improving memory, reducing the symptoms of hepatitis, helping to resolve headaches, treating depression, and addressing the symptoms of colds and flu.
The Cancer-Fighting Spice
Recently, turmeric has been identified as a potential treatment option for certain types of cancer. This is a huge breakthrough against an illness that does not have a cure as yet, and research continues to move forward.
Cancer can strike anybody of any age at any time, making it one of the most feared diseases we face. The antioxidant powers of curcumin have been found to offer protection against free radicals in the colon, thus helping to prevent colon cancer.
A Powerhouse for Brain Health
Curcumin helps to enhance brain function and support mental health. Studies conducted among populations that consume turmeric regularly found that they have fewer occurrences of neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Curcumin also has the ability to break down the plaques in the brain that are linked with Alzheimer’s disease. This simple but flavorful spice has the ability to prevent serious diseases and promotes both physical and mental health.
How to Cook with Turmeric?
The curcuminoids in turmeric are what possess beneficial healing powers, but they can be damaged during cooking. These fragile molecules are necessary for your health, so you need to take care when cooking with turmeric or take a turmeric supplement instead.
There are several recipes that can help retain the taste and health benefits of turmeric as you cook. Like ginger, turmeric can be bought as a root or ground as a powder.
The common ways to cook with turmeric involve peeling and then slicing the root or mashing it. The powder is frequently used in smoothies or in curry.
Proper Storage for Tomorrow’s Tasty Menu
If you choose to get the fresh, root version make sure you store it properly. Keep the fresh root in an air-tight container that is lined with clean, dry paper towels.
Layer the root slices in the container with paper towels placed between them. Refrigerate it and change the paper towels when they become damp.
The Freshest Cooking Is With the Root
To use the whole root, peel the skin with a potato peeler and finely slice or mince like you would with a ginger root. Then you can sauté the pieces with other vegetables to make a flavorful side dish, soup, stew, or topping.
You can also mash the turmeric and add it to smoothies or sauces for flavor, nutrients, and other health benefits.
The great thing about turmeric is that it can be added to any meal or dish, as it is very versatile. The bold flavor and color help to make any meal more exciting as well as healthy.
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Quick Tips for Any Meal
Here are some great ideas for using turmeric easily in foods that may be new or are already part of your regular fare. We’ve listed ways of using turmeric root, but you can try the
Breakfast
Add a few teaspoons of grated turmeric to your eggs in the morning. You can scramble them or make a frittata or quiche.
Make your pancakes golden by adding some turmeric to your dry pancake mix. You end up with a colorful breakfast that packs extra health benefits.
Lunch
Create a healthier version of macaroni and cheese by stirring in some turmeric to the cheese sauce. This can be done to both the homemade and boxed versions of the classic side dish.
Blend ground turmeric into your smoothies. You can create any taste you want by adding a little or a lot of turmerics. You should also use coconut oil too, as this helps assist the absorption of turmeric in your body.
Grated turmeric can be mixed into a salad, or you can use powdered turmeric to add to a marinade or salad dressing.
Dinner
Already used in curries for centuries, turmeric adds color and flavor to any curry or stew. As you prepare and cook the vegetables for your curry or stew, add one teaspoon of turmeric and let everything simmer in the spice.
Spice up your stir fry by first cooking the vegetables in one or two teaspoons of freshly grated turmeric. This adds bold flavor and some potential health benefits to your regular stir fry.
Snacks
Spice up your hummus by giving it a turmeric topper. Mix ¼ teaspoon of ground turmeric with toasted sesame seeds and add to the top of your hummus for a new dip.
Make a savory yogurt snack by topping your Greek yogurt with a tablespoon of grated turmeric, some black pepper, and olive oil.
Drinks
Create your own soothing beverage with a mixture of turmeric, coconut milk, and honey. You will have a delicious and comforting drink that delivers powerful health benefits to soothe any upset stomach or digestive issues.
Spice up your tea by adding ¼ teaspoon of turmeric as the tea brews. Put the turmeric in your mug before pouring it into the hot water.
Sweets
Enhance both the flavor and color of your pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, or pumpkin loaf. Just add one teaspoon of fresh shredded turmeric root to the batter and mix in thoroughly. You will notice a bolder flavor and a brighter, eye-catching color once the item is baked.
If you are interested in other smart tips, refer here: Blog
Final Thoughts
Turmeric is as flexible a spice as it is a beneficial supplement. Of course, until you know just how to use it, it can’t do anything.
With a variety of ways to add it to the menu, turmeric makes for a fun, delicious ingredient in your meals and snacks. Apart from that, you can try using a turmeric supplement to make sure it also goes down as quickly as possible.
Do you find my article helpful? Share your suggestions and thoughts with me by submitting your comments below!
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