Also called Indian saffron, turmeric is united with the most expensive spice in the world only by its bright yellow color, in which it colors products. The aroma of this spice is much more intense, and it gives the dishes a different, more tart or, as the Indians themselves say, “earthy”, and its smell is characterized as “woody”. In nature, turmeric is the root of a plant in the ginger family. Before grinding into powder, it is cleaned, boiled and dried.
Instructions
Step 1
Put turmeric in those dishes where you would add saffron, not for the sake of a subtle aroma, but for imparting a characteristic warm yellow-orange hue. Remember that this spice is much spicier than saffron and is therefore used in minimal doses. Use turmeric in dishes where its pungent taste is good for you but would like to give it an intense yellow color, such as ghee, cheeses, breads, marinades and sauces. American mustard owes its recognizable sun shade to turmeric. It also serves as the main ingredient in Worcester sauce.
Step 2
Turmeric is a common addition to rice when it is planned to be served as a side dish. It is put in a little during cooking, and it colors it in a characteristic elegant color, gives it additional flavor and pungency. For even coloring, do not forget to stir the rice immediately after adding this spice. You can add this spice to various vegetables, for example, boiled potatoes or cauliflower, in soups from lentils, pumpkin, zucchini. Start with 1/2 teaspoon of the spice per 1000 ml or 1 kg dish.
Step 3
Turmeric is an essential ingredient in Indian and Thai curries. Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric along with the same amount of ground coriander and cumin, red and black pepper, salt, dried garlic and dry mustard and season chicken or fish curry with this mixture.
Step 4
1/4 teaspoon turmeric is used in classic recipes such as Moroccan couscous or Moroccan chicken, Indonesian chicken, Burmese pork, Soto Ayam chicken soup, and khoreshes persian goulash.
Step 5
Make a marinade with yogurt, lemon juice, onion, garlic and ginger, add ground pepper, cumin, ginger, coriander, garam masala mixture and 1 teaspoon of turmeric to marinate the tandoori chicken pieces.
Step 6
Turmeric, due to its medicinal properties, is also called the “golden root of life”. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is known as an antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory agent. Western medical research to date has confirmed only the last of the listed properties. You can make a warm milk drink with 1 teaspoon of honey and the same dose of turmeric to relieve the first symptoms of a cold.
