turmeric - nature's healer

 Source:  sheknows.com

Have you heard all the press regarding the spice Turmeric?  Found in most curry based meals I love it but have never thought much of it.  My interest was peaked when I came across an article in Clean Eating magazine last month.  This month it is mentioned in Reader's Digest (yes, I read that little mag - my grandmother gave me a subscription) and it is all over the web.  I don't know much about it so decided to do some google-ing to find out what all the hype is about.  Apparently, this spice offers amazing benefits - both internally and externally.  According to Women's Health, the benefits have been known for centuries and have always been an important part of Chinese herbal medicine and also the Ayurvedic medicine of India.  It is believed to support liver health, help bad cholesterol, and is being studied for its ability to block tumors.  A study at the University of Texas found turmeric to be useful in preventing and blocking the growth of cancer such as melanoma tumor cells, breast cancer, colon cancer and others.  Many other reputed health benefits of turmeric include healthy skin care, lowering bad cholestrol levels, liver and gallbladder health and possible joint pain relief through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  As an added plus the antioxidant power of turmeric is so effective that it actually helps preserve the shelf life of foods that it is added to!  But, are there cautions and side effects?  Consumed in moderate quantities the article states that it has shown no ill effects.  Doctors do advice that turmeric extract be avoided by anyone with gallstones or stomach ulcers except under doctor supervision.  Some other benefits I found include helping the body stave off flu and ease its symptoms, is a natural pain reliever, promotes wound healing (due to its antiseptic and analgesic properties) by applying topically, is effective in treating asthma, helps stabilize blood sugar levels and is useful in weight management. Apparently, it stimulates the metabolism of fat which is useful in promoting healthy weight loss!  That alone makes me want to make something tonight with it!

Here is a recipe to try.  If you aren't a curry fan, try Turmeric in your egg salad.  Just a 1/2 teaspoon should do it.

Authentic Bangladeshi Beef Curry

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 green chile peppers, finely sliced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger root - peeled, sliced, and ground into a paste
• 3 cardamom pods
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 1/2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup water
• 2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.
2. Stir in the garlic, green chiles, ginger paste, cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Cook and stir for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the garlic begins to brown.
3. Stir the cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and water into the onions. Simmer until most of the water has evaporated and the mixture has thickened.
4. Stir in the beef chuck and cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and tender, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. 
5. Serve on plain basmati rice or with nann or pita bread and a bottle of Zinfandel wine.
   

Use 5 to 6 small green chile peppers, such as Thai chiles; if they're unavailable, substitute 2 to 3 serrano chiles or to taste. Use rubber gloves when chopping chile peppers.