Cooking And Experimenting With Ginger Roots
Cooking with new spices can be very interesting and fun
. This article describes the history of ginger root, and some of the great things you can do with it.
Cooking with ginger is a great way to add a surprise spice to some of your meals. Ginger has a bite that make any dinner a little more exciting.
Believe it or not, this root dates back over three thousand years. Although it was well-known to the ancient Romans, it almost disappeared in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Thanks to Marco Polo's trip to the Far East, this sweet and tangy spice came back into favor in Europe, becoming not only much-coveted, but also a very expensive. Queen Elizabeth I of England is credited with the invention of the gingerbread man, which still remains a popular Christmas treat.
Ginger is in the same family as turmeric and cardamom. It is native to Southern Asia and has long been a staple addition to Asian cuisines.
It is quite popular in the Caribbean Islands, where it grows wild in lush tropical settings. Jamaican varieties are prized for their strong, perky flavor, and this island currently provides most of the world's supply, followed by India, Africa, and China.
The gnarled, bumpy root of the plant is the source of this wonderful spice. Although it is easily grown in tropical regions of the south, you will rarely be treated with blooms during cultivation at home the way it does normally in the wild.
It can easily be grown in a flowerpot at home, but be sure to bring it indoors when the weather turns cool. It is a knobby, fibrous root, has smooth light brown skin with a sheen to it.
The flesh of the root is white. It is typically used as a seasoning, and flavors sweets, including cakes, cookies, breads, and beverages.
It is also good in sauces, and fruit dishes. When buying, look for one with the least amount of knots and/or branching.
It is an excellent natural remedy for nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, and general stomach upset due to its carminative effect that helps break up and expel intestinal gas. Ginger tea has been recommended to alleviate nausea in chemotherapy patients primarily because its natural properties do not interact in a negative way with other medications.
It is a safe remedy for morning sickness, since it will not harm the fetus. Some studies show ginger may also help prevent certain forms of cancer.
To make a delicious tea with it, slice some root, put it in a tea ball, and place in a teapot. Pour boiling water over the tea ball and let it sit for ten minutes.
Sweeten it with honey, or even drink it straight. In spite of it being a natural remedy, it is important that any medicinal use be discussed with a physician, as it must be taken in moderation to avoid gastric irritation.
It is also said to stimulate gastric juices, and provide warming and soothing effects for colds and coughs. Fresh varieties can be found year round in the produce section of most grocery stores.
Look for smooth skin with a fresh, spicy fragrance. Tubers should be firm and feel heavy.
Length is a sign of maturity, and mature rhizomes will be hotter and more fibrous. Avoid those with wrinkled flesh, as this is an indication of it being past its prime.
Fresh, unpeeled root should be wrapped in paper towels, placed in a plastic bag, and refrigerated up to three weeks. It can also be tightly wrapped and frozen up to two months.
To use frozen ginger, slice off a piece of unthawed product. Re-wrap unused portion tightly and return to the freezer.
Peeled kinds can be stored in Madeira or Sherry wine in a glass container in the refrigerator up to three months. However, storing it in wine will impart a wine flavor to the end dish, so you may wish to forego this pre-prepared method for use in dishes where a wine flavor is not desirable.
Dried ones should be kept in a cool, dark space in an airtight container. Pickled and preserved ones should be kept in their original containers in the refrigerator.
Store crystallized pieces in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to three months. Now you know how to cook deliciously with this interesting plant, as well as use it for medicinal purposes!
by: Jack Landry
Rootkit.Agent.Yyf Removal - Here is a Fixer! Secondary Effects Of Valerian Root Ouch! Not Another Root Canal Lcd Backlight Category Description Tree Surgery, Arboriculture, Specialist Roots and Tools The Root, Source and Action of the Maqui Berry Benefits of Licorice Root The Nitty – Gritty of Root Canal Dental Treatment Tmj No More Program-Most effective and natural treatment which aims to root out The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) completely Diana: the roots really are unfortunate What's a Root Canal Got to Do with Living Better at Lake Chapla Ajijic Mexico? Rootkit.Order Removal - No Need to Panic! 4 Steps You Can Take For Healing After Infidelity To Take Root