grow.guide

Turmeric is a perennial herb in the ginger family and is most commonly known in Belize as yellow ginger. It has large, oblong leaves, light yellow flowers, and an underground rhizome that can be planted year-round in Belize, but emerges in the rainy season and remains dormant during the dry.

For nearly 5000 years turmeric has been used for food, as a spice for flavoring food, as a yellow dye and as a medicine for treating many ailments.

Though turmeric is mostly used for its edible rhizomes, its leaves and flowers can also be consumed in curries or in pickling.

RECIPES

Making turmeric powder

- Before drying and turning into a powder, wash the rhizomes and cure them by boiling them until they are soft.
- After cooling, cut into smaller chunks and dry in low heat oven (about 200 degrees) for approximately 2-3 hours.
- Put through food processor, blender, or grinder and strain out powder. Larger chunks left in strainer can go through milling process again until powdered.
- Store in air tight jar in dark place and it will keep for at least a year.

Golden Milk

Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk has gained popularity as it is well known as an immune system booster.
To make golden milk, simply warm milk (cow, goat, almond, soy, hemp) adding turmeric, with a bit of cinnamon and ginger to taste.

Turmeric Veggie Medley (You can use any 3 vegetables for this recipe) INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp oil (preferably coconut) ½ cup carrots washed, peeled and chopped ½ cup cauliflower washed and chopped salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp turmeric freshly grated or ground 1 tsp cumin dried ground 2 tbsp water ½ cup eggplant washed and chopped garlic chives optional - garnish	DIRECTIONSS Heat on medium coconut oil, carrots, cauliflower, salt and pepper, turmeric, cumin and water. Place lid on top of pan and cook gently for about 2 minutes until the carrots and cauliflower are fork tender and water is mostly evaporated. Add the eggplant and stir and put lid on for about 1 more minute until the eggplant is tender. Remove from burner and add garlic chives and toss and serve immediately.
Turmeric Pickled Eggs Pickled eggs are a great way to preserve eggs for later eating when there is an over-abundance. INGREDIENTS 8 eggs 1.5 cups cider vinegar 2 cups brown sugar 1 3/4 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh turmeric 1 tsp mustard powder 2 tspyellow mustard seeds 2 tsp coriander seeds 1 tsp peppercorns	DIRECTIONS - Drop the eggs into boiling water. Simmer for 10 minutes then cool under cold running water. Peel and put into a clean glass jar. - Put the cider vinegar, 5 oz. water, sugar, turmeric, mustard and spices in a saucepan over a medium heat and gently bring to a low simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, then cool to room temperature. - Once the pickling liquid is cool, pour enough into the jar so that the eggs are fully submerged. Seal the jar and keep in the fridge for at least a day, but they’re best left for a week before trying.
Baked Chicken Thighs with Turmeric INGREDIENTS 6-8 chicken thighs, skin on, with bone 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp cumin 2 grated garlic cloves about 2 inch ginger piece grated a bit over 3/4 cup coconut milk 1 thinly sliced onion 1 1/3 cups chopped spinach 1 tsp maple syrup or honey water rice	DIRECTIONS - Put chicken thighs in a bowl and add the turmeric, cumin, garlic, ginger and 3 tbsp of the coconut milk. Rub the chicken around in the marinade and leave for at least 15 mins, or longer if you can. - Preheat oven to 350. Spread the onion and spinach in a tray baking ban or dish adding the rest of the coconut milk, the maple syrup and 1/3-3/4 cup water. Bake at 350 oven for 10 mins. Stir often . Place the chicken thighs on top, then return to the oven for another 30 mins, stirring the greens underneath occasionally - Heat the grill and cook for another 8-10 minutes until the skin is crispy. Serve over rice.

Medicinal and Therapuetic Properties
Medicinally, turmeric has been used:
- for its antioxident properties
- as an anti-inflammatory and for joint pain
- to improve memory and brain function
- to reduce depression
- to lower risk of heart disease
- to lower blood sugar
- for its anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties
- to improve digestion