I go through phases where a certain type of food or ingredient sits first and foremost in my mind. Something grabs on and won't let go until I've explored it further by learning more about it and using it in several recipes or applications. Lately, it's been turmeric—specifically the fresh root, which is part of the ginger family.
I think it started when I saw a bin of the fresh root at the market, stared at it for a few minutes, then left without buying any. I didn't buy it because I didn't want it to go to waste. I have a tendency to pick up cool "new" ingredients, only to let them go to waste while looking for the perfect way to use them.
So, in the new year, I've made a pact to let perfect go. I'm going to embrace mess and mishaps and mistakes, so that I don't miss out on life. So, I made a point of going back to the market and buying a bunch of that turmeric root to experiment with. I've grated it into scrambled eggs, soup, smoothies, stir-fry, and sauces. I've even embraced yellow-stained fingers and fingernails.
Turmeric is considered a superfood.
Superfood
/ˈso͞opərˌfo͞od/noun
A nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.
Touted for its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-aging, and anti-carcinogenic properties (which come from the active ingredient called curcumin), it is also used to help ease abdominal cramps, reduce bloating, and aid in digestion, as well as reducing the accumulation of toxins in the gut.
These are just a few of the reasons that earned turmeric its superfood status—searching the web will lead you to many more. I know that I'll be incorporating it, both freshly grated and dried (powdered, like you find in the spice section) into our diet on a regular basis. If you want to do the same, or perhaps it's already a regular in your kitchen, here are 100 recipes ideas to help you do just that.
If a recipe calls for freshly grated turmeric and you only have dried, you can go by the same rule that you use for herbs—3 parts fresh equals 1 part dried (so if a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon fresh turmeric, you can substitute 1 teaspoon dried).
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| Banana Flax Turmeric Overnight Oats by Nourish Everyday |
Breakfast
- Banana Flax Turmeric Overnight Oats by Nourish Everyday (pictured)
- Easy Black Bean Tofu Scramble by Diary of an ExSloth
- Egg Bhurji (Indian Scrambled Eggs) by Ministry of Curry
- Fajita Tofu Scramble by Fried Dandelions
- Golden Turmeric Spiced Porridge by Jen's Food
- Savory Vegan Omelette by Accidentally Crunchy
- Tofu Scramble Casserole with Tater Tots by Veggies Save the Day
- Tortilla Española by All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Turmeric Oatmeal by Lauren Caris Cooks
- Vegan Baked Golden Milk Donuts by Diary of an ExSloth
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| Orange Pomelo Turmeric Mojito by Meg is Well |
Drinks
- Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tonic by Tasting Page
- Carrot Ginger Turmeric Steamer by Healthy Slow Cooking
- Cold-Brewed Green Turmeric Iced Teaby Soup Addict
- Golden Banana, Turmeric & Maple Syrup Smoothie by Kavey Eats
- Golden Beet, Carrot and Turmeric Smoothie by Downshiftology
- Golden Milk Turmeric Tea (and Turmeric Paste) by Happy Healthy Mama
- Healing Turmeric-Cashew Milk by Easy Cooking with Molly
- Orange Pomelo Turmeric Mojito by Meg is Well (pictured)
- Tropical Turmeric Golden Milk Smoothie by Cotter Crunch
- Turmeric Gin & Ginger co*cktail by CaliGirl Cooking
- Turmeric Latte with Coffee by Nicky's Kitchen Sanctuary
- Turmeric Smoothie by Yummy Mummy Kitchen
- Turmeric Tea Golden Milk with Chai Spices by Yummy Mummy Kitchen
- Wildly Striped Wild Blueberry Smoothie by Caroline's Cooking
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| Whole Wheat Turmeric Blueberry Muffins by The Kitcheneer |
Bread
- Paleo Carrot Bread by Bakerita
- St. Lucia Buns by Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Vegan Coconut Ginger Golden Milk Scones by Diary of an ExSloth
- Whole Wheat Turmeric Blueberry Muffins by The Kitcheneer (pictured)
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| Turmeric Orange Poppy Seed Dressing by Give Recipe |
Salad and Dressing
- Apple Cider Turmeric Vinaigrette by Healthy Ideas Place
- Butter Leaf, Sprout, Carrot and Pomegranate Salad with a Turmeric Vinaigrette by Fearless Dining
- by All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Miso Turmeric Dressing by Simply Fresh Dinners
- Turmeric Orange Poppy Seed Dressing by Give Recipe (pictured)
Condiments
- Chai Apple Butter by My Wife Can Cook
- Garden Fresh Zucchini Salsa by Noshing with the Nolands
- Whole Grain Mustard by Masala Herb
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| Turmeric Lentil Stew by Running to the Kitchen |
Soup
- Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup by The Rising Spoon
- Tummy Healing Soup for One by Strength & Sunshine
- Lemongrass Chicken Dumpling Soup by All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup by Happy Kitchen Rocks
- Slow Cooker Chicken Stew by Posh Journal
- Slow Cooker Turmeric Turkey Noodle Soup by All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Thai Fish Soup by All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup by Unicorns in the Kitchen
- Turmeric Lentil Stew by Running to the Kitchen (pictured)
- Vegan Curry Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk by A Side of Sweet
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| Braised Short Rib Tagine with Figs & Almonds {for two} by Snixy Kitchen |
Beef
- Braised Short Rib Tagine with Figs & Almonds {for two} by Snixy Kitchen (pictured)
- Cauliflower Ground Beef Curryby Leelalicious
- Minchet Abish (Ethiopian Ground Beef Stew) by An Edible Mosaic
- Turmeric Spiced Steak by Cooking Chat
Pork
- Turmeric Pork Skewers & Thai Basil Dipping Sauce by Bam's Kitchen
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| One Pot Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice by Ev's Eats |
Chicken and Turkey
- Adobo Slow Cooker Chicken by Cooking with Curls
- Balinese Curry Chicken by Gourmet Project
- Gulai Ayan (Coconut Milk Chicken Curry) by All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Indian-Spiced Turkey and Vegetable Ragu by The Lemon Bowl
- Moroccan Olive Chicken by Bam's Kitchen
- One Pot Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice by Ev's Eats (pictured)
- Sheet Pan Moroccan Chicken by The Brooklyn Cook
- Smoked Turkey and Spinch Curry by All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Turmeric Yogurt Chicken by The Lean Green Bean
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| Gumbo Fried Rice from Iowa Girl Eats |
Fish and Seafood
- Gumbo Fried Rice from Iowa Girl Eats (pictured)
- Healthy Spice Rub Salmon over Forbidden Rice by Cooks Recipe Collection
- One Pot Shrimp and Udon Bowls by Healthy. Delicious.
- Spicy Ginger Garlic Fish Fry by My Eating Space
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| Vegetarian Singapore Noodles by Living Lou |
Meatless
- Baked Red Lentil Quinoa Fritters by Veggie Inspired
- Butternut Squash Lo Mein by Food By Mars
- Falafel with Turmeric by Contentedness Cooking
- Healthy Quinoa Bowls with Kale, Carrots and Tahini Turmeric Dressing by Happy Kitchen Rocks
- Homemade Turmeric Pasta by The Flavor Bender
- Indian Butternut Squash Curry by Platings & Pairings
- Khichdi (One Pot Rice and Lentil Stew) by La Petit Chef
- Lentils, Radicchio and Walnuts with Honey by Platings & Pairings
- Roasted Masala Cauliflower with Coconut Lentils by Rhubarbarians
- Sweet Potato and Chickpea Coconut Curry by Killing Thyme
- Tasty Turmeric Falafel by Oh, The Thing We'll Make!
- Thai Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry by Making Healthy Choices
- Trinidad Dhal by That Girl Cooks Healthy
- Turmeric Roasted Chickpea Rainbow Carrot Salad with Apple Cider Tahini Dressing by Cotter Crunch
- Vegan Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepes) by Cilantro and Citronella
- Vegan Red Lentil Dal with Coconut Milk by Delicious Everyday
- Vegetarian Singapore Noodles by Living Lou (pictured)
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| Moroccan Roasted Carrots with Yogurt Dressing by The Lemon Bowl |
Side Dishes
- Easy Golden Rice Pilaf by What A Girl Eats
- Galey iyo Qumbo (Somali Corn in Coconut Sauce) by Tara's Multicultural Table
- Healing Indian Eggplant Hummus by Strength & Sunshine
- Malaysian Spicy Tomato by Vermilion Roots
- Moroccan Roasted Carrots with Yogurt Dressing by The Lemon Bowl (pictured)
- One-Pot Spicy Vegetable Rice by A Virtual Vegan
- Turmeric Coconut Basmati Rice by My Sequined Life
- Turmeric Mashed Potatoes by Kitchen Treaty
- Turmeric Quinoa by Runnin Srilankan
- Turmeric Rice by All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower Halves by Trial and Eater
- Turmeric Roasted Potatoes by The Rising Spoon
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| Banana Turmeric Chocolate Cake by Give Recipe |
Dessert and other Sweet Treats
- Banana Turmeric Chocolate Cake by Give Recipe (pictured)
- Blood Orange-Turmeric Upside Down Pound Cake by Cooking on the Weekends
- Golden Mango Protein Cookies by Healthy Helper
- Healthy No Bake High Protein Golden Milk Bites by The Big Man's World
- Turmeric Brown Rice Pudding in the Crock Pot by The Organic Dietitian
For your pet
- Homemade Turmeric and Fish Gourmet Dog Treats by Bark Time
