ingredient of
the month
the month
From my family's recipe
book - to your table!
book - to your table!
Homemade Indian Cooking with Carla
The Spice Route
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Turmeric or
"haldi"
"haldi"
The ubiquitous turmeric, or "haldi" is a key ingredient in
Indian food. It's glorious yellow color is most quickly
associated as the main ingredient in "curry powder." The
spice turmeric is manufactured from the underground
root or rhizome of the turmeric plant. Rhizomes are
boiled in water for about 45 minutes, drained and then
dried in the sun for 10 days until they become dry. They
are then cleaned, polished, and ground into a powder.
Turmeric spice is also available as a dried root, and
sometimes, Indian recipes call for an "inch" of turmeric.
Indian food. It's glorious yellow color is most quickly
associated as the main ingredient in "curry powder." The
spice turmeric is manufactured from the underground
root or rhizome of the turmeric plant. Rhizomes are
boiled in water for about 45 minutes, drained and then
dried in the sun for 10 days until they become dry. They
are then cleaned, polished, and ground into a powder.
Turmeric spice is also available as a dried root, and
sometimes, Indian recipes call for an "inch" of turmeric.
Cooking with Turmeric: Turmeric adds color and pungency to foods, and can also
be used as a thickening agent. It is often fried in oil before adding the other main
ingredient (meat, vegetable or lentil), and has a more subtle flavor if added in the
latter stages of cooking. Due to its strong flavor, turmeric is usually used in small
quantities in proportion to other spices used. Since it is an excellent preservative,
turmeric is also used to pickle vegetables (think piccallili or relish!) and some meats.
Medicinal Uses: Turmeric has antiseptic properties, and is mixed into a paste to
cure minor cuts and wounds. It is also used as a beauty ingredient in face masks -
usually mixed with milk for oily skin, or with cream for dry skin. In India, a pinch of
turmeric is boiled in Milk and drunk at bedtime to cure an itchy cough and soothe the
lungs. Recent studies have also linked the consumption of turmeric as preventing
the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Turmeric in Indian culture: Turmeric is considered sacred by Hindus, and is used
for prayers on festive occasions. Turmeric is associated with purification, and Indian
brides and grooms are ritually anointed with a paste of turmeric as part of a
cleansing ceremony the day before their wedding.
Quick exfoliating facial scrub: Mix a pinch of turmeric with a tablespoon each of
plain yoghurt and chickpea flour (also known as channa-ki-atta or besan) and rub on
your face. Keep it on until the mask tightens. Wash off thoroughly with a face towel.
be used as a thickening agent. It is often fried in oil before adding the other main
ingredient (meat, vegetable or lentil), and has a more subtle flavor if added in the
latter stages of cooking. Due to its strong flavor, turmeric is usually used in small
quantities in proportion to other spices used. Since it is an excellent preservative,
turmeric is also used to pickle vegetables (think piccallili or relish!) and some meats.
Medicinal Uses: Turmeric has antiseptic properties, and is mixed into a paste to
cure minor cuts and wounds. It is also used as a beauty ingredient in face masks -
usually mixed with milk for oily skin, or with cream for dry skin. In India, a pinch of
turmeric is boiled in Milk and drunk at bedtime to cure an itchy cough and soothe the
lungs. Recent studies have also linked the consumption of turmeric as preventing
the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Turmeric in Indian culture: Turmeric is considered sacred by Hindus, and is used
for prayers on festive occasions. Turmeric is associated with purification, and Indian
brides and grooms are ritually anointed with a paste of turmeric as part of a
cleansing ceremony the day before their wedding.
Quick exfoliating facial scrub: Mix a pinch of turmeric with a tablespoon each of
plain yoghurt and chickpea flour (also known as channa-ki-atta or besan) and rub on
your face. Keep it on until the mask tightens. Wash off thoroughly with a face towel.
