Turmeric

Turmeric
Health Benefits:
● Aids digestion
● Antiseptic and anti-spasmodic
● Combats joint inflammation, arthrosis and arthritis
● Helps prevent Alzheimer's disease
● Helps prevent cataracts
● Helps to heal skin afflictions
● Lowers the risk of cancer, notably skin cancer
● Relieves arthritic pain
● Relieves diarrhea, combats intestinal parasites
Home Remedies:
For digestive problems...
Infuse about 1 tsp of turmeric in 2/3 cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Drink
2 glasses a day.
For protection against infections...
3/4 tsp of turmeric three times per week, sprinkled in soups, sauces or vegetable
dishes.
Beauty Secret:
In India, a paste of turmeric is applied to the face as a ceremonial beauty mask.
Caution:
Suffers of gastric ulcers should avoid turmeric since higher doses may irritate your
stomach.
Selecting & Storing:
It is best to buy in small quantities as its medicinal properties will deteriorate over time.
Culinary Use:
This spice is a key ingredient in the preparation of many curries, and it gives color and
an exotic aroma to soups, rice dishes and meat stews.
Curried Rice with Pistachio
Ingredients:
● 2 tbsp clarified butter
● 1 small onion, chopped
● 1/2 tsp of each of the following spices: turmeric, cardamom, crushed chili,
coriander
● 1 tsp ground cumin
● 1 cup basmati, jasmine or other long-grain rice
● 2 cloves of garlic, minced
● 2 cups water or broth
● 1/3 cup pistachios, shelled
● salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1.
2.
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4.
5.
In a large pot, sauté the onion in the clarified butter without browning.
Add the spices and mix well. Cook for 2 minutes over low heat.
Add rice and mix thoroughly to coat the grains in the spices.
Add garlic, as well as the water or broth and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and let simmer until the rice is cooked (15 to 25 minutes
depending on the type of rice).
6. Taste, adjust seasoning and add the pistachios just before serving.
** To make clarified butter...
Melt butter in a small pan, allow to cool slightly and skim off the milky deposits
floating on the surface.
Parsley
Health Benefits:
● Aids in the prevention of cancer
● Antiseptic
● Combats anemia
● Freshens the breath
● Helps eliminate intestinal worms
● Helps prevent flatulence
● Relieves menstrual discomfort
Good Uses:
Since it contains antiseptic properties as well as dietary nutrients, raw parsley should be
eaten every day, whether in salads or appetizers. This herb provides protection against
infections and different forms of cancer.
Beauty Secret:
Skin lotion and hair rinse...
Boil a handful of chopped parsley in 1 cup of water until the liquid turns green.
Leave to cool, then filter.
Caution:
Pregnant women should be very careful not to over-consume parsley since it contains
substances that stimulate uterine contractions.
Selecting & Storing:
There are two varieties: curly or flat-leaf Italian parsley. The Italian parsley is more
flavourful for cooking, while curly parsley is more attractive for decoration.
Both keep well in the refrigerator as long as bunches are kept fresh and dry. As soon as
the leaves begin to get damp or turn yellow, they should be removed from the bunch and
discarded.
Culinary Use:
Raw, the leaves and stems chopped fine add flavour and aroma to dressings and give a
crunch to salads and cold appetizers.
The minced herb can also be used to enhance stews, pastas, rice dishes or gravies.
Couscous and Parsley Salad
Ingredients:
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2 well-packed cups of minced parsley (including stems)
1 cup couscous or quinoa, cooked
2 small shallots, finely minced
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and crushed
4 to 6 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 or 3 fresh mint leaves, finely minced
Instructions:
7. In a salad bowl, mix together all ingredients.
8. Let sit for 1 hour to allow full flavours to develop.
** To cook couscous...
Boil one part water with one part couscous. Once boiled, remove from heat. Let sit
for 3 minutes, then add 1 tbsp olive oil and gently separate grains using a fork
reheating over low heat for about 2 minutes.
** To cook quinoa...
Cook in twice its volume of water for about 10 minutes, until it curls inside out and
appears translucent.