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10 Ideas on How to Use Fresh Turmeric Root in Cooking

10 Uses for Fresh Turmeric
Have you ever wondered what to do with fresh turmeric root, that finger-sized edible rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant? Turns out, turmeric root is surprisingly versatile: it can be used to add yellow color or orange and mild flavor to a broad range of dishes including smoothies, soups, rice dishes, omelettes, and more. Below, you find our top ten ideas on how to use fresh turmeric in cooking.

Note: Be careful when using fresh turmeric root in your culinary creations – it can stain your hands, cooking utensils, and clothes, even more than turmeric powder!

1. Use Fresh Turmeric to Add a Health Kick to Smoothies
A little bit of peeled and grated fresh turmeric root can make a healthy smoothie even healthier, plus the natural pigments in fresh turmeric help intensify the color of orange and yellow smoothies. To make a turmeric-enriched smoothie, simply add a teaspoon or two of peeled and grated turmeric into your favorite smoothie. Both the color and flavor of fresh turmeric make this golden-colored rhizome a particularly good addition to mango smoothies. cheap formal dress under 100

2. Make Indian Golden Milk (Haldi Ka Doodh)
Turmeric milk, or Golden Milk, is an ancient healing remedy commonly used in India to treat everything from colds to asthma. Known as haldi ka doodh in India, this healthy drink is typically made with dried turmeric power, but you can also use fresh turmeric. Here's a quick and easy recipe for Golden Milk using fresh turmeric root:

Ingredients (for 1 serving):

4 black peppercorns
Seeds of 2 cardamom pods
2 cloves
1 cup milk
1/2-inch piece of fresh turmeric root
1/4-inch piece of fresh ginger root
Honey, to taste
Directions:

Crush the peppercorns, cardamom seeds, and cloves with a mortar and pestle. Peel and chop the turmeric root and ginger. In a small pan, heat the milk along with the spices for 2-3 minutes. Let the mixture cool until it's warm, then drain it into a cup. Add honey to taste. Drink immediately.

3. Use it as a Substitute for Mustard or Saffron
If you have a recipe that uses mustard or saffron to give the dish a yellow(ish) hue but don't have any mustard or saffron on hand, try using a small amount of peeled and grated fresh turmeric as a substitute. Turmeric is called "poor man's saffron" for a reason!

4. Turn White Rice into Golden Rice
Some people use fresh turmeric juice, made by squeezing peeled turmeric root in a garlic press, to give boiled or steam-cooked rice a beautiful golden color. However, this use for turmeric is only recommended for those who like the unique flavor of fresh turmeric as the turmeric flavor is relatively prominent against the mild flavor of rice.

5. Dehydrate Leftover Turmeric Root
If you're running out of ideas for what to do with all that leftover turmeric root in your fridge, consider dehydrating sliced turmeric root in a food dehydrator. You can then grind the dehydrated slices to make your own turmeric powder. Or, store them whole in an airtight container and steep them in hot water whenever you feel like having a cup of turmeric tea.

6. Make a Turmeric Omelette
You can also use fresh turmeric to add color and flavor to omelettes or scrambled eggs. Simply add some grated turmeric (or freshly squeezed turmeric juice) to the egg mixture before cooking it on a frying pan.

7. Substitute Fresh for Dried Turmeric in Curry Paste Recipes
Turmeric is a key ingredient in curry paste, a concentrated blend of spices used as a cooking ingredient in the preparation of a curry. Most recipes for homemade curry paste call for dried turmeric powder, but you can also use fresh turmeric if you like (substitute one 1/2-inch piece of fresh turmeric for every teaspoon of ground turmeric).

8. Make a Turmeric Marinade for Chicken
You can also use fresh turmeric in marinades. Here's a simple recipe for a marinade that is enough for marinating about 1 lb (450 grams) of chicken:

Ingredients:

1 cup natural yogurt
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp grated turmeric root
1 tsp grated ginger root
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Add the chicken and massage marinade into the poultry until evenly coated. Seal the bowl with a tight-fitting lid and place it in the refrigerator. Let the chicken marinate at least 2 hours.

9. Use Turmeric Root in Pureed Soups
Using chopped fresh turmeric root is a great way to add color (and mild flavor) to white and yellow pureed soups, such as carrot soup, cauliflower soup, and yellow pea soup. The flavor of fresh turmeric pairs well ginger, so look for soup recipes that also call for fresh ginger.

Did you know?

One of the largest suppliers of organic herbs and spices in the US, Starwest Botanicals sells everything from certified organic turmeric powder to dried sliced turmeric root. You can order their products directly from their website, or through an online retailer like Amazon).

10. Use Fresh Turmeric in Coleslaw
Chopped fresh turmeric can also be used to add color to coleslaw. Slaw featuring red or white cabbage and turmeric also makes an excellent cancer-preventing dish as both cabbage and turmeric contain phytochemicals with proven anti-cancer effects. For maximum health benefits, dress your coleslaw with buttermilk or a vinegar-based dressing, rather than mayonnaise.