Turmeric is a bright orange/yellow herb that is a member of the ginger family. Though it doesn't have a particularly strong flavor it does have LOADS of health benefits. The active ingredient in turmeric is Curcumin which has well documented anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used for thousands of years in both Chinese Medicine & Ayurvedic Medicine (the traditional medicine of India) to treat Arthritis and other diseases of an inflammatory nature as well as being used as a liver detoxifier. It is an good source of Manganese, Iron, Potassium and Vitamin B6. It is also high in antioxidants which are know as free-radical scavengers. Eliminating free-radicals is important because they have been linked to the development of tumors. Turmeric also boast natural anti-septic and anti-bacterial properties. There are current studies underway studying the effect of Curcumin on slowing the development of Alzheimer's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis with both areas showing some promise.
As far as cooking with Turmeric goes, it is the main ingredient in Curry but I've discovered it can be used in a multitude of ways in the kitchen!
- Chinese Noodles or Lo-Mein, click here for Holistic Chick's own recipe!
- Rice
- Quinoa
- Pasta Sauces - it's the spice I use the most in my Italian Pasta Sauce, click here for the recipe
- Eggs and egg based dishes
- Salad Dressings & Marinades
- It makes a great addition to chicken based dishes
As you can see there are tons of different ways to incorporate using more Turmeric in your day to day cooking routine. Do you have any different ways to cook with Turmeric? Let me know in your comments below.