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The
name turmeric is believed to originate with the Latin, terra
merita, meaning "merit of the earth". The spice
is highly regarded in India where it is identified with fertility.
During wedding ceremonies, a sacred thread dipped in turmeric
paste is tied around the bride's neck by the bridegroom. In
Malaysia, turmeric paste is spread on the abdomen of a new
mother and the umbilical cord of the baby, both as an antiseptic
and to ward off evil spirits.
The use of turmeric as a coloring agent for food and fabric
dates back to before 600 BC. Turmeric is still used in pickles
and relishes and to flavor and color prepared mustard. The
rhizome, or root, is carefully unearthed, broken into sections
and then boiled or steamed before being dried. The result
is a bright yellow powder with a mild, slightly bitter, peppery
flavor and aroma. Oil of turmeric contains mint flavored borneol,
spicy eucalyptol - with a camphor-like smell - and zingerone,
the spicy sweet flavoring in ginger. Turmeric is part of the
ginger family.
Turmeric, botanically known as curcuma domestica, is
a tender perennial, native to India and China so I doubt if
it can be grown successfully is our climate even as an annual.
However, it makes a handsome potted plant for a sunny window.
In Hawaii, where turmeric is known as Olena, the spice is
mixed with salt water and, in a magical cleansing ceremony,
it is sprinkled in the area to be purified, sometimes with
a ti leaf.
Medicinally, turmeric has received considerable and favorable
publicity lately. In traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine,
the herb is considered a natural antibiotic while strengthening
digestion and improving intestinal flora. In the May/June,
1996 issue of VRP's (Vitamin Research Products, Inc.) Nutritional
News, turmeric was listed as having anti-inflammatory action
equal to and sometimes better than cortisone and phenylbutazone
treatment. Nutritional News also reports studies indicating
that turmeric's antioxidant value makes it five times more
effective as a free radical scavenger than vitamin E and that
it has powerful anti-cancer and anti-cholesterol properties.
No wonder I love curry! Some herbalists recommend using turmeric's
antibacterial constituent (curmunin) topically to fight certain
skin conditions such as psoriasis and athlete's foot.
Turmeric has also been shown to inhibit blood clotting. This
could pose a problem for people with clotting disorders and
they, along with anybody using anticoagulant medication, should
avoid the spice. Turmeric's long-standing benefit as a treatment
for digestive and liver problems has largely been confirmed
by scientific study, but if a little is good, a lot is not
necessarily better. Large amounts of turmeric can cause stomach
upset.
Turmeric is frequently used as an integral or additional ingredient
in curry dishes, but here are a couple of delicious meals
using the spice in non-curry applications:
Vegetarian
Shepherd's Pie
In
the order listed, layer the following in an adequately sized,
oiled baking dish:
· ¼ head of shredded green cabbage
· ½ tsp. of caraway seeds
· ½ cup of brown rice cooked with one teaspoon
of turmeric
· Salt to taste
· ½ cup of mixed vegetables - whatever you have
handy in the fridge, but including half an onion already sautéed
in butter (even mixed frozen vegetables are acceptable)
· 3 medium to large potatoes, cooked and mashed with
a little butter, milk or cream, salt and freshly ground black
pepper to taste
Sprinkle
the top with a little more turmeric and bake for 30-40 minutes
in a preheated oven at 325 degrees. Allow to cool slightly
before serving.
Turmeric also complements fish delightfully. If cod isn't
available, red snapper or an alternative of your choice is
acceptable in the following recipe. I have even used tuna
steaks.
Asian
Cod
· 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro
· 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
· 2 cloves of garlic, minced
· 1 small hot red or jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
· 2 tablespoons lime juice
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· 1/8 of a tsp. of turmeric
· ¼ of a tsp. of sea salt.
· 4 thick ling cod steaks
Place
the first eight ingredients in a blender or food processor
and blend thoroughly. If the consistency is too thick, add
a little water or white wine. Place the cod steaks in a baking
dish and cover with the blended ingredients. Bake covered
at 350F degrees for 25-30 minutes or until the fish flakes
easily indicating doneness. Serve with rice and a vegetable
of your choice. Serves four.
Here's a recipe for a classic chicken curry using turmeric:
Mango
Chicken Curry
· 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut up into
bite-sized pieces
· 1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
· 1 Tbsp. of ginger, minced
· 10 cloves of garlic, minced
· 1 tsp. of cayenne or red chili powder (or more to
taste)
· 2 cans of tomatoes
· 2 fresh jalapeno chilies
· 1 Tbsp. of olive oil
· ½ cup of white wine
· 1 fresh, ripe mango, peeled and diced
· 1 medium onion, diced
· 1 cup of yogurt
· 1½ tsp. of salt
· 1 tsp. of ground turmeric
· 1 tsp. of garam masala (optional - see cinnamon recipe)
Mix
together the ginger, garlic, wine, salt and chili powder and
marinate the chicken pieces in this for at least 30 minutes.
Blend together one can of the tomatoes and the chilies. Then
add the other can of tomatoes and the cilantro, blending slightly
to retain chunkiness of the tomatoes. Sauté the onion
in the olive oil in a large, lidded frying pan until translucent.
Then add the chicken and marinade and cook for several minutes
before adding the tomato mix, turmeric, salt, garam masala
and yogurt. Continue to cook and stir for about five minutes
then cover and simmer for about an hour so that the chicken
is very tender and the flavors are well blended. Just before
serving add the diced mango. Serves four.
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