Turmeric has a history of use as a spice and a dye. It stains with a deep, bright yellowish color. Used as a powder for cooking, turmeric is the ground-up rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, which is somewhat similar to a ginger plant, and is indigenous to southeastern Asia. Turmeric powder imparts a somewhat peppery and bitter flavor into foods, and is sometimes used to add coloring to foods such as mustard and certain cheeses.
Step 1
Buy turmeric powder instead of curry powder to maximize curcumin content, the compound in turmeric to which most of its health benefits are attributed, explains The World's Healthiest Foods website of the George Mateljan Foundation, a nonprofit nutrition science organization dedicated to promoting healthy eating habits.
Step 2
Purchase turmeric powder in moderate quantities, as its flavor diminishes over time, advises The Epicentre Encyclopedia of Spices. Store your turmeric powder in an airtight container in a dry, dark and temperate location to preserve the flavor.
Step 3
Incorporate turmeric into rubs for meat, poultry and fish dishes. Mix the powder with salt, pepper and other seasonings and apply it to beef, lamb, chicken, pork, cod, tilapia and other white fish or poultry before cooking.
Step 4
Saute vegetables in oil and a blend of turmeric powder, salt and pepper. Try it with onions, cauliflower or spinach and other dark, leafy greens.
Step 5
Sprinkle turmeric powder over dishes made with lentils, suggests The George Mateljan Foundation, for a particularly tasty flavor combination. Add it to other legumes and to rice dishes, as well.
Step 6
Make your own curry powder to add to soups and sauces or to use as a rub. Blend 2 tsp. turmeric powder with 2 tbsp. cumin powder, 2 tbsp. ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ginger powder, 1/2 tsp mustard seed, 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Step 7
Prepare recipes that call for curry, which uses turmeric as a primary ingredient.
Step 8
Add turmeric to homemade oil-based salad dressings for a more exciting flavor and a yellow coloring. Use 1 tsp. turmeric per cup of dressing for a noticeable but not overpowering flavor, or more to taste. Sprinkle a few pinches into salads made with mayonnaise as well for the same results. Mix it into potato salads and egg salads.
Tips and Warnings
- The color of turmeric powder varies, and does not provide clues as to its freshness or potency, notes The George Mateljan Foundation. Check out cookbooks featuring Moroccan cuisine for ideas on using turmeric as a rub, as this is a common technique in Moroccan cooking. Find Middle Eastern recipes for rice, vegetable and other side dishes, as these often incorporate turmeric. Also, look through cookbooks featuring Indian foods, as curry is a staple of Indian cuisine, notes The Epicentre. Turmeric supplements are available as tinctures, extracts and capsules. Among other purported benefits, turmeric may help with some digestive problems and disorders, stomach ulcers and inflammatory conditions, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, medicinal uses of turmeric are not proven, and you should always check with your doctor before starting use of any supplement.
- Turmeric powder can stain skin and materials, cautions The George Mateljan Foundation, so handle it carefully and wear gloves.
Member Comments