Cooking With The Golden Root: Turmeric

Did you know that between November 2015 and January 2016, there was a 56 per cent increase in Google searches for the spice turmeric? We’re guessing that’s when turmeric lattes first appeared on the scene, offering those caffeine-sensitive folks among us a lovely morning buzz. Who can resist cold-pressed turmeric juice being added to warm almond or coconut milk? We sure can’t!

We’ve been fans of turmeric for years – long before it first debuted on social media. You simply just have to look at the colour to see the potency of turmeric for your health. Turmeric contains the antioxidant curcumin, which gives turmeric its bright yellow colour.

Turmeric is the rhizome of a plant that belongs to the ginger family and has been used in Asian cooking and medicine for centuries. It is a popular ingredient in curries and brings a mustardy earthiness to recipes that usually suit savoury meals, but it can be applied to sweeter dishes like biscuits, raw desserts, cakes and ice cream. You’ve probably ordered a turmeric latte off the menu at your local wholefood café, but did you know you can easily make it at home?

Next time you’re craving a warm drink, try our Turmeric and Ginger Latte recipe below. It’s delicious, dairy-free and makes the perfect morning wake-up drink if you’re avoiding caffeine.

Having friends over for dinner tonight? Whip up Lee Holmes’ Turmeric Tummy Bark recipe in less than 30 minutes; your guests will be impressed all night! Or, if you’re having a lazy weekend, why not make Lee’s Turmeric Scrambled Eggs? Not only will you kick-start your day in a healthy way, you’ll learn how easy it is to add turmeric to everyday meals.

Australian-based wholefood chef, Lee Holmes, shares healthy and sustainable meals on her website,  Supercharged Food. Lee’s Turmeric Tummy Bark is one of our favourite recipes here at The Source Bulk Foods and makes the perfect snack for morning or afternoon tea. Providing you with a good source of healthy fats and antioxidants, the bark is simple to make and tastes delicious. Plus, you can pick up most of the ingredients from one of our stores!

The Source Bulk Foods’ Turmeric and Ginger Latte

Makes: 1 cup

• 1 cup coconut, almond or soy milk
• 2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon plus extra to sprinkle
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• Pinch black pepper
• 1 teaspoon raw honey, rice-malt syrup or maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• 1-2 teaspoon coconut oil

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring to combine. Be careful not to boil.

Pour into mug and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm.

Turmeric Tummy Bark

Makes: 1 bark

• ⅓ cup slivered almonds
• ⅓ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup coconut butter
• 1 tablespoon raw honey, rice-malt syrup or maple syrup
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Pinch black pepper
• Pinch vanilla bean powder

Line a tray with baking paper. Set almonds aside.

Blend all the ingredients together (apart from the almonds) in a food processor or blender.

Stir in almonds.

Spoon mixture into the tray and freeze for 15 minutes or until set.

Break into bite-sized pieces and enjoy straight from the freezer.