Turmeric. This golden super spice is arguably one of the most powerful on the planet at fighting inflammation and disease. Many studies suggest that the benefits of its active compound, curcumin, range from healing inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis and IBS, to boosting brain power and fighting cancer.
Although it’s commonly thought of as a ‘curry spice,’ there are plenty of other fun and easy ways you can add turmeric to your diet. Here are 9 tricks to try!
1. In salad dressing
You can make a simple, anti-inflammatory turmeric salad dressing by whisking together:
- â…“ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice from ½ lemon
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 tsp. turmeric
- 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. organic, raw honey, or to taste
This dressing is delicious drizzled on a bed of leafy greens like spinach or kale.
2. Make a turmeric ‘lassi’
A lassi is a yogurt smoothie commonly used in Ayurveda to aid digestion. Make your own tangy turmeric lassi with the following recipe:
- 1 cup kefir or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup water (If you’re using kefir)
- 1 very ripe banana
- 2 tsp. fresh, grated ginger
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tsp. turmeric
- 1 tsp. raw, organic honey
Blend and enjoy first thing in the morning or for an afternoon snack.
3. To marinate roasted vegetables
Using plenty of herbs and spices in your cooking is one of the best ways to make tasty, healthy dishes like roasted vegetables. Simply combine turmeric and whatever other spices you enjoy with 1 or 2 tbsp. of a healthy oil like extra virgin coconut oil, coat the vegetables with the mixture, and roast. Roasted cauliflower with turmeric is an especially popular and healthy option.
4. In egg dishes
Turmeric blends beautifully with eggs, and the bright yellow color will also make your dish pop. Simply sprinkle over the dish as you cook, or mix into the eggs themselves before you add them to the pan.
5. In mustard
Turmeric is a common ingredient in many mustards, as it’s often what gives the condiment its bright yellow color. You can add an extra teaspoon or so to whatever mustard you use without changing the flavor too much.
6. In rice
Any spice or herb can go a long way to making a plain pot of rice taste great and smell delicious. ‘Yellow rice,’ usually made with turmeric or saffron, is popular in many countries is and a great way to try something new. You can make your own savory version with:
- 1 ½ cups brown rice
- 3 cloves garlic (or more to taste)
- 2 Tbsp. chopped shallot
- 2 ¼ cup homemade vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. turmeric powder
To prepare, sauté the finely chopped garlic and shallots in a large, deep skillet until they begin to brown. Then, add the rice, turmeric powder, and sea salt, and stir well. Next, add the stock and bring the whole mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer until the rice is tender, and all the liquid has been absorbed by the rice.
In many cultures, yellow rice is paired with chicken, but it can also be enjoyed with any other grass-fed meat, or lentil dish.
7. In soup
Simply add a teaspoon or so when you’re making chili, dhal, or any other kind of lentil soup. In fact, turmeric can be enjoyed in just about any soup you make due to its mild, versatile flavor.
8. In a bedtime drink
According to Ayurveda, warm milk with a dash of turmeric and honey just before bed is a great cure for insomnia and inflammation. Non-dairy milks like organic coconut or almond can also be used for those sensitive to dairy.
9. Sprinkled on popcorn
Simply add 1 tsp. of turmeric and ½ tsp. of sea salt to a bowl of organic, air-popped popcorn, shake, and voila! You have a tasty, pretty, and healthy treat. For an extra kick, add ½ tsp. of chili powder to the mix.
As we’ve written about before, combining black pepper with turmeric can increase curcumin’s bioavailability by up to 2,000 times, so for the most benefits, feel free to add a dash to any of these recipes!
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.thealternativedaily.com/eat-always-turmeric
http://www.livestrong.com/article/557537-easy-ways-to-add-turmeric-to-your-diet
http://www.naturalnews.com/040648_turmeric_healing_spices_curcumin.html
