Tumeric Tips & Uses: Clever Ways to Use the Superfood

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Long used in Indian and Caribbean cooking, Turmeric is now showing up in everything from bottled smoothies to beauty products. The superfood has many uses because of antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Today informed that turmeric is a root closely related to ginger with a deep golden colour and a sharp slightly bitter flavour. It contains a powerful antioxidant called curcumin.

Curcumin is believed to prevent certain types of cancer, Alzheimer's disease and the formation of blood clots. More so, turmeric also has strong anti-inflammatory properties believed to treat symptoms of Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and stomach ulcers.

Turmeric can be consumed as fresh root or powdered form. Here, we give you five clever ways on how to use the superfood:

Curries

Turmeric is an ancient spice native to South East Asia. It also a common spice among Indian and Moroccan cuisines. Turmeric is found in many spice blends including curry powder, giving it a bright yellow hue.

One Green Planet gives delicious dishes with turmeric that you can including South Indian Style Kurma, Tandoori Cauliflower Wraps and Beguni (Batter-coated eggplant wedges). Also, you may simply add one teaspoon of ground turmeric when you sauté the vegetables in oil.

Bonus tip: Instead of saffron, you may also add a little colour to your rice by adding half a teaspoon turmeric to the water when cooking rice. Check out this healthy recipe of Moroccan Delicious Casbah Tofu with Yellow rice.

Smoothies

If you're making smoothies, then you're probably invested in improving your health. Make your smoothies extra special by adding a pinch of turmeric, suggests One Green Planet. The small amount will not affect the taste of your smoothie but this will be loaded with lots of anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. For more intense flavour, you may add two teaspoons. Include coconut oil in your smoothie to boos the turmeric absorption, suggests Today.

Salad Dressing

Spice up your salad dressing with turmeric like this mustard dressing from One Green Planet. You may also cook lentils or other legumes with onions, olive oil and a teaspoon of ground turmeric, according to Today. Additionally, you can use freshly grated root in your marinades for chicken, fish and beef. One teaspoon of the grated root to any marinade recipe for flavour and colour.

Soups

New York Post recommends adding a whole chopped root of turmeric when cooking winter vegetables for pureed soups. You may also add one or two teaspoons of ground turmeric to any soup recipe.

Face Mask

Top 10 Grocery Secrets recommends making a homemade turmeric face mask to brighten skin and soften wrinkles and fine lines. Simply mix one teaspoon of a good turmeric powder, one teaspoon of raw organic honey and another teaspoon of raw milk or natural yogurt. Leave it on your face and neck for 30 minutes.

Check out this bonus recipe on how to make turmeric tea: