"An extract found in the bright yellow curry spice turmeric kills cancer cells.” Tests released by a team at the Cork Cancer Research Centre show turmeric can destroy gullet cancer cells in the lab within 24 hours. That’s no small deal. Now the question is, are you getting your fill?
Turmeric is a wonderful spice that shows up in a host of ethnic dishes. I use it mostly for curries but it does show up in other recipes. Make sure that your turmeric has not gone bad as can often unfortunately be the case for our lesser used spices.
Great Ways To Include Turmeric
Turmeric Seared Pears with Arugula, Goat Cheese, Goji Berries, and Pine Nuts. Serve the pears atop a beautiful bed of arugula or leave the greens out and have as a dessert. Seared pears are especially great if you’re looking for something sweet that you won’t kick yourself for eating later.
Coconut Thai Rice Curry: The original recipe was not vegetarian, but I decided to leave the meat out. The dish just doesn’t need it. This dish also highlights the season by including loads of root vegetables that add a sense of warmth. The miso paste is so important to this recipe.
10 1/2 oz brown basmati rice
1/4 cup organic coconut milk
2 cups roasted root vegetables, cut into 1-inch cubes (sweet potatoes, rutabaga, beets, etc.)
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh ginger
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick
1 tbsp curry powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp organic miso paste
1 tsp cardamom
1. Cook the rice based on directions in the rice cooker. 2. After about 15 minutes, start cooking the rest of the meal. Warm up the coconut milk along with root vegetables, shallot, garlic, ginger, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick in a medium to large-size pot over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. 3. Add curry powder and turmeric and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook 3 more minutes. 4. Add cooked rice along with soy sauce, miso, and cardamom and combine. Simmer for five more minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf and serve.
