When you think of ginger, what comes to mind? A refreshment, smoothies inspired by heaven? A summer afternoon sipping freshly squeezed glass Lemonade? In some cases, homemade Apple cake and crispy, chewy Gingersnap Cookies palate paint. Whatever your vibe, ginger is versatile because it has many functions. Even though June is in full swing, ginger is worth celebrating all year round. Ginger deserves just as much love as our other summer foods: basil and mint. You know it as a tasty treat in the kitchen, but it’s also prized for its myriad health benefits. From supporting gut health to reducing inflammation, ginger is more than just a key ingredient in your favorite dish. Curry. It is medicine. Without further explanation, let’s find out why you should eat ginger for inflammation and what to cook with it.
Featured image of Michelle Nash.
Is ginger a spice or an herb?
Depends on who you ask! Ginger is often listed as an herb in many recipes, while others classify it as a spice. Some people call its dried powder a spice, but its fresh original version is an herb. Are you confused yet? Across the board, most would agree that it’s a spice. But no matter what culinary experts and botanists label it, ginger is still a must-have ingredient. There is no shortage of recipes for it. In addition, ginger has been used as a remedy for about 5 centuries. Its roots run deep. Today, it has become famous in the West for concoctions such as ginger ale, ginger ale, and ginger candy.
How to preserve ginger?
You can store fresh ginger root in a number of ways, depending on how (and when) you plan to use it.
- Protest: So, if you plan to use the whole ginger root within a few days, you can store the ginger in a cool, dark place such as your kitchen counter.
- Fridge: If you don’t need to use it for several weeks (or more than a month), place the ginger in a plastic bag with a lid or an airtight container. Place the bag in the crisper drawer. When stored properly, fresh ginger can last for more than a month in the refrigerator. Peeled ginger will only be used for about 2-3 weeks.
- Sour pickle: You can also pickle fresh ginger! Use a machine to peel the ginger, then slice it thinly. Place the cut ginger in a glass jar with equal amounts of vinegar, sugar, and water (you can adjust this mixture to suit your taste). Store pickled ginger in the refrigerator for up to two months.
For more product care tips, see hack to organize the fridge.
Can you freeze fresh ginger?
Right! You can freeze fresh ginger for later use. Peel the ginger, then put it in a freezer bag or freezer safe. When you’re ready to use, mince the frozen ginger with a grater or grater. You can also grind ginger in a food processor. Freeze the ginger portion in an ice tray, then transfer the ginger cubes to a freezer bag to prevent the freezer from burning. You can put frozen ginger straight in Soup or pad Thai. If you are going to use ginger in a baking recipe, let the ginger come to room temperature first. Use frozen ginger within six months.
Medicinal uses of ginger
Along with its culinary uses, ginger has been used as a holistic medicine for centuries. From ayurvedic practice to Traditional Chinese MedicineGinger is a universal remedy. Many people have described ginger as a ‘tonic herbs‘warm up the body and the ancient Greeks used to eat it – wrapped in bread – as a digestive aid after dinner. Very fast to this day, and ginger is still being used to treat a variety of ailments, like migraines, nausea, and inflammation.
What is inflammation?
In addition to aiding digestion and reducing nausea, ginger also helps fight inflammation. But, what is inflammation? Inflammation is your body’s immune system’s response to an irritant. That irritant can be anything from pathogens (germs) to debris. During inflammation, the body’s white blood cells protect you from infection. But in some cases, your immune system is activated without the invader. Like, arthritis. In this case, your body’s defense system causes inflammation. In turn, this can cause chronic joint pain, swelling, and even flu-like symptoms. When your body has just enough inflammation, it fights off foreign invaders and heals the wound. Moral of the story: Eat more ginger!
What can you do with ginger?
Warm and aromatic, ginger root has a slightly spicy and sweet taste. It is also flexible. From immune-boosting teas to spicy noodles, it’s an ingredient you’ll always want to have on hand. Like garlic, ginger is flavorful when cooked, providing a warm bite and subtle sweetness. In many cuisines, ginger is used in both sweet and savory dishes. From vegetables to cookies, fresh (or ground) ginger is Piece of Resistance.
Although ginger root looks intimidating, its preparation is very easy. Quickly perform the trick. Once peeled and minced, ginger can easily be made into a variety of marinades, sauces, soups, broths and glazes. You can also scrape the ginger. No need to toss or compost so is the parchment. The outer layer of ginger has a rich flavor. With a bit of creativity, the pods create a refreshing, deeply nourishing broth for the tea. It also enhances any cocktails. The sky is the limit.
6 Ginger Recipes Against Inflammation
Armed with the knowledge that ginger can help fight chronic (and acute) inflammation, there’s no better time to try new ginger recipes. Here are a few of our favorites.
Steak Salad with Spicy Ginger Sauce
It’s baking season, honey. This is the salad to serve at your next backyard barbecue. Loaded with flavour, protein and vibrant green, everyone loves it.
Get the recipe for Steak Salad with Spicy Ginger Sauce.
Rosemary and Apple Zucchini Bread with Ginger
When a summer storm hits, you can see us making this gingerbread zucchini. There’s something emotional and rewarding about baking bread from scratch — scraping fresh apples and zucchini into a large bowl with oats and golden raisins. This will fill your kitchen with the scent of rosemary and cinnamon as it blooms.
Get the recipe for Rosemary and Apple Zucchini Bread with Ginger.
Tropical pineapple ginger smoothie
Someone picky eaters? Try this smoothie! After years of struggling to find healthy breakfasts our kids will really enjoy, we finally decided on this tropical smoothie recipe. It’s bursting with crowd-pleasing pineapple, strawberries, and bananas. We eat avocados for fiber and healthy fats, plus ginger for a blissful dip (and Antioxidants).
Get the recipe for Tropical pineapple ginger smoothie.
Apple gingerbread
OK, so this isn’t your typical health food, but we think it’s packed with interesting ingredients (and a host of benefits, depending on your perspective). Granny Smith apples keep the cake from getting too sweet, and the warm spices make this the most comforting cozy treat to roll up after dinner…and for breakfast the next morning. Do not forget the coffee!
Get the recipe for Apple gingerbread.
PHOTO: Processed with VSCO with a6 . preset
Haldhi Doodh ice cream
Just in case you need another dessert with ginger, look no further than this golden-milk-latte-turned-cream. Packed with delicious, antioxidant-rich ingredients, you’ll love this homemade ice cream. We love the pungent taste of the ginger candy, as well as the crunchy texture that comes from the cookies. And don’t skip the ground black pepper! It’s the unbelievably perfect heat to combine with the sweetness of ice cream.
Get the recipe for Haldhi Doodh ice cream.
Creamy oatmeal with preserved rhubarb and ginger
This oatmeal is the perfect bowl to remind you that warm weather has arrived. Rhubarb preserves are so delicious and addictive that you’ll want to serve them for just about anything. And bonus… this recipe makes leftovers! If the thought of eating hot oatmeal isn’t on the card, we’ll eat it cold, too.
Get the recipe for Creamy oatmeal with preserved rhubarb and ginger.
