Turmeric is a plant native to Southeast Asia. Fresh, it resembles a ginger. However, it is more well-known for its bright orange to yellow powdered form.
Its long history of use in folk medicine, which dates back to thousands of years in China and India, has earned turmeric its monikers “The Golden Spice” and “The Spice of Life.” More recently, some studies on turmeric showed that the spice can help prevent diabetes, fight inflammation, clear acne, and improve the body’s immune system.
Apart from medicinal use, turmeric is also used in cooking and is a main ingredient in many Asian dishes. Its flavor is similar to mustard, often described as earthy and bitter. Sometimes, turmeric is used as a food dye, giving a golden yellow color to food such as sauces, canned drinks, baked products, and even popcorn.
With its health benefits and its warm and pepper-like taste, turmeric can be easily added to all sorts of dishes. Here are five healthy recipes to get you started.
1. Golden Milk Turmeric Tea by Happy Healthy Mama
This tea makes use of Golden Milk, a paste made from a mixture of turmeric, water, and black pepper. Blended with ginger, cinnamon, and coconut oil, this tea packs a healthy punch designed to blow inflammation away. With a bit of sweetener, you can use this drink as a sweet ending to a hearty meal, or take it hot to help manage a cold.
2. Colorful Vegan Turmeric Rice by Honest Cooking
If you’re fond of eating rice with your meals or are a fan of rice in general, this recipe is definitely worth a try.
Aside from being eye-catching, this vegan recipe can be added as a complementary side dish to many other recipes, such as curries and chicken or lamb dishes. You also have the option of making the rice savory by replacing the vegetable broth in the recipe with chicken broth. Given how simple it is to make, there’s no reason not to try making both.
3. Vegan Creamy Curried Cauliflower Soup by The Kitchn
Need something warm and hearty but don’t have the energy to put something together? Assuming you at least have a blender in your kitchen, this vegan soup recipe can hit the spot in no time.
Because this dish uses coconut milk, this soup is extra thick and velvety, but gentle on the stomach. With a few slices of toasted bread, this recipe is perfect for a light meal at any time of the day.
4. Turmeric Chicken by Budget Byte$
If you’re looking for a meaty dish that has turmeric in it, chicken is the way to go. Specifically, creamy and spicy turmeric chicken. The amount of flavor in this dish will not disappoint. The great thing about this recipe is that it has your budget in mind, and even has step by step photographs to help you make this dish in your own home.
5. Lemon Turmeric Salmon by Uri Jeremias
Aside from chicken, turmeric can go well with fish, too. Salmon is a fairly healthy fish to use, as it is an oily fish high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D. In this recipe, turmeric is used to season and flavor the salmon. While baking, the turmeric mixes into the butter to create an earthy and buttery sauce. This is a great dish to make if you’re feeling a little fancy.
As a spice, there are many ways to incorporate turmeric into the food that you eat. But before you make big changes to your diet, make sure you talk to your doctor. Changing your diet may have different effects on you, especially if you already have existing medical conditions. In addition, make sure you are buying your turmeric from a reputable source. Given its popularity, some unscrupulous people pad the powder form of turmeric with other spices and spice products.
