Turmeric is well known for its health benefits and research has shown that it is free of side effects when consumed in prescribed limits. Finding turmeric in local stores is also very easy, and you may get it in both fresh and dry forms.
If eating healthy food is important for you and your family, then including turmeric into your everyday eating routine will prove incredibly beneficial.
Turmeric is naturally available in many forms and you can easily bring it to your kitchen. However, the real problem lies in including turmeric into your meals. Adding a pinch of turmeric into curries and gravies is the easiest way to use this medicinal spice in your food. But if you’re searching for some innovative ways to use this fantastic rhizome from ginger family, then here are seven surprising ways you can incorporate turmeric into your diet!
1. Add it to Your Juice
You don’t always need to eat turmeric to enjoy its benefits. Why not drink it for a change? Fresh turmeric can be added to various vegetable juices to add a tinge of taste and take advantage of its incredible benefits to your health. The flavor and aroma of turmeric are very strong, which is why you should only use a pea size piece for a glass full of juice. Turmeric has low bioavailability, and you can add a pinch of black pepper to the juice for better absorption.
2. Color The Greens Yellow
Make your greens healthier by adding a dash of yellow to them. Sautee or stir-fry greens and add a pinch of turmeric over them to get the yellow sheen with added health. You can also add a pinch of turmeric to the greens before sautéing for an even healthier meal and to bring down the flavor of turmeric. Sautéing turmeric along with greens will also increase its absorption thanks to the rise in temperature and addition of fat.
3. Brew A Tea
Turmeric tea is soothing and much healthier than the regular tea you are fond of sipping. This amazing brew is simple to prepare and tastes really well. You can add honey, lemon, or a pinch of sea salt to it. In order to increase the bioavailability of turmeric in this preparation, you may add a dash of clarified butter or olive oil. This tea can slowly replace your regular tea to add a pinch of health in every cup.
4. Add Color to Plain Rice
The root of turmeric is dried and ground into a fine powder and its color is an excellent, bright yellow. Though the benefits of turmeric are not limited to its color, you can always use it as a natural colorant. A little flavor and golden color can be added to plain rice or to the gravy with this natural colorant. It can be part of many savory dishes to serve as a natural pigment.
5. Add it to Soups
Even a pinch of turmeric can go a long way when used regularly in your food preparation. The flavor of turmeric will not always stand out when used in combination with other foods. Add a little bit of dry powder or fresh bulb of turmeric into your soup. If you want more from your soup, then add few drops of olive oil as well, which will ensure better absorption.
6. Peppery Flavor for Roasted Veggies
Turmeric has a peculiar peppery flavor that goes very well with roasted veggies. Roast the veggies brushed with olive oil and then sprinkle a little turmeric and pepper to relish the peppery flavor. Olive oil and pepper will ensure better absorption of curcumin, the active substance in turmeric.
7. Pickled Turmeric
Don’t know how to have more turmeric around the house? Make picked turmeric! This way, you can store fresh turmeric for a longer time, which will serve as a great side dish for your meals. You can also use turmeric as a spice in pickles. For example, you can prepare spicy cucumber pickle or mango pickle with added turmeric.
Conclusion
Turmeric is excellent for your health, and you can find many different ways to make it a part of your diet. Despite the fact that it has a somewhat bitter flavor, turmeric is great to cook with when consolidated with the right ingredients and can be used with a variety of dishes and drinks that will provide many health benefits.
