Turmeric, a bright-yellow-hued root spice, has been used in cooking, medicine, and cultural ceremonies for thousands of years, especially in South Asia. Practitioners of both western healthcare and Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient holistic healing system with Indian roots, have lauded this plant’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Whether you’re looking to save a few bucks or just putting a DIY spin on this holiday season, making your own gifts can be a great idea. In addition to saving you money, they’re full of love, time, and thoughtfulness, and the recipient nearly always appreciates the extra effort that goes into such a gift. You can also control the ingredients, so you know that you’re giving your recipient a gift that aligns with his or her (or your!) values, be it organic, animal-friendly, fair trade, or something else.&n
Do you ever find yourself realizing mid-recipe that you’re missing a key ingredient? Or, any ingredient, for that matter? Sometimes I do, and get a little frantic, mostly because I usually don’t want to drive to the store before I eat a warm homemade cookie…
In 2015, we stuffed kale into everything. The year after kale we obsessed over pomegranates. In 2014, avocados were king.
A cordial is a health-promoting, good tasting herbal drink that contains alcohol both as a preservative and solvent for extracting herb and spices. Cordials are generally taken in doses ranging from around 1/2 teaspoon to an ounce. The term derives from the Latin cor, meaning heart. Cordials are said to have originated during the Renaissance, but I would guess that their origins are actually older, given that distillation is an ancient process.
So, I have a problem: I’m a bit of a spices junkie. I didn’t realize this until someone recently pointed out to me how all the recipes I share with them require so many different herbs and spices (hi, Grandma!). I thought for a moment, and realized it’s true—I probably have 40 different spices in my cabinet, and I frequently online-window shop at herbs and spices stores, reading about exotic spices I’ve never heard of and imagining how they might taste. Perhaps it’s because
Some really effective herbal medicines are in the kitchen, and here in Part 1 are my favorite uses for myself and my clients. In Part 2 next week, we’ll flip things around and look at culinary uses for medicinals typically neglected in the kitchen. You can geek out more on how to use kitchen herbs and spices for health here and here. Remember that quality counts .
Indian kitchens and kitchen gardens come stocked with plenty of herbs and spices that we use to flavor our food and dishes with alacrity – and sometimes with quite a heavy hand as many a tourist who has tasted Indian food has paid testament to with watery eyes, a runny nose and a tongue that seems to be on fire!
Pumpkin pie is my absolute favorite pie. There’s just something about that smooth, dreamy texture that is so sweetly satisfying. For me, nothing says comfort food like having pumpkin pie for dessert, which is why I had to figure out a way to make this spiced, velvety delight without gluten or animal products.
In my house, hummus does not last long. In fact, it is hard to share. It's my go to for a quick snack, and more often than not becomes the center of dinner. While there are many store bought brands that have some tasty flavor combinations, homemade is always best. One batch gives twice the amount for half the price and it lacks any preservatives you may find on the shelf.