Spice It Up Friday’s

Turmeric powder is ground from the root of a tropical perennial thought to be native to Southeast Asia and has been used extensively throughout history as a color additive for food and textiles. In addition to adding vibrant yellow color to dishes, turmeric has an earthy, pungent flavor that is very versatile and works well with spices like cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, and cumin.

Turmeric has been used in both medical and religious applications throughout history. It is featured in ayurvedic medicine, the traditional medicine of India, as a mild digestive. It is also combined with water to make an Asian cosmetic that is said to good for the skin. Additionally, this spice is high in antioxidants, making it a great addition to many dishes from a health prospective.

Curry Powder health benefits  includes providing nutrition, prevents infection, promotes good digestion, detoxifies the liver, promote metabolism and support bone health. Other benefits includes slowing down the aging process, relieving pain, supporting healthy heart, fighting cognitive diseases and preventing cancer

What is Curry Powder?

Curry powder  (curry comes from the Tamil word Kari which means spiced sauce)

is a delicious mix of spices, perfect balance to give food just the right kick. Many cuisines have adopted this mix, and each recipe uses its variations. It is often presumed to be a powdered form of the curry leaf, but this is not the case. The curry leaf is a separate herb also associated with the same region as curry powder.

Curry powder has become a staple ingredient in my home this past year and i wish i would have used it decades ago. The first time I used it was actually to make a warm blended beverage called

Nutrition

For a spice mix, it is packed full of nutritional advantages. It is full of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Per 100 grams, it contains 13 grams of protein, 1543mg of potassium, 52 mg of sodium, 33grams of dietary fiber, 19% vitamin A, 47% calcium, 60% vitamin B6, 63% magnesium, 164% iron and 19 % vitamin C. Curry powder is also fat-free.

Anti Bacterial

The herb and spices that make up the curry powder are full of many health benefits. Herbs like dried coriander possess antibacterial and antifungal properties that prevent infections from affecting the body. It is very useful in preventing diseases such as E.coli and other gut infections. Curry powder helps in fighting other infections present in the body.

Good Digestion

Spices in it are packed full of dietary fiber. Along with possessing antibacterial properties, curry powder also helps in regulating bowel movements and ensures a healthy gut and digestive system. It ensures healthy intestinal health.  A healthy digestive system ensures that the body is absorbing adequate nutrients and stays disease free.

Detoxifies The Liver

The liver is the organ which processes all the food that goes into our body. It extracts the nutrients and all other elements of food to deliver to other parts of the body. The turmeric, which is an integral part of curry powder, contains an antioxidant compound known as curcumin.  This prevents tumor growth, inflammation in the liver and also detoxifies it. Curcumin has been linked to liver health and has been observed to boost liver health.

Metabolism

It has an impressive amount of proteins and is very beneficial for the digestive system. This is helpful in increasing the metabolic rate and helps transport the nutrients from the food to the other parts of the body.

Healthy Bones

It contains ingredients that are vital to bone health; it helps in maintaining a sufficient bone density. The 19% calcium present in curry powder per 100-grams makes up a good part of the daily requirement for a grown adult.  Phosphorus and magnesium are also beneficial in maintaining bone and muscle health and slow down the degenerative process.

Anti- Aging Properties

Along with a list of nutrients, curry powder also contains antioxidants that prevent the oxidative damage to the body both inside and out. The turmeric and vitamin C in the curry powder is very useful in slowing down the aging process and preventing the appearance of wrinkles.

Pain Relief

It is a good way to incorporate ingredients such as turmeric into your cooked food. Turmeric is very effective in relieving joint pains and is also used to treat inflammation and diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Turmeric has almost similar effects to antibiotics and ibuprofen. This makes curry powder a natural remedy for multiple diseases.

Healthy Heart

The fiber present in curry powder helps control the cholesterol in the body. Bad eating habits can be the main cause of heart diseases; the bad cholesterol often gets stuck in the arteries causes blood pressure and other heart diseases. The cardamom and basil in the curry powder are very effective as vasodilators that prevent heart diseases. They affect the proteins in food to prevent high blood pressure

Cognitive Diseases

It has several spices that are beneficial for mental health. However, turmeric is one of the most effective in preventing mental disorders from occurring.  Curcumin reduces the effects of free radicals on the nervous system; it helps build a stronger immune system that eliminates the toxins from the body. It has been observed to remove the plaque in the neural pathways that cause memory issues. People who add curry powder regularly to their food have been observed to suffer less from diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Helps Prevents Cancer

The vast varieties of antioxidants in the herbs and spices that make up the curry powder are very effective in preventing cancer. The curcumin targets tumors and cancerous growths in the body. Many antioxidants inhibit the growth of cancerous cells in the body.  Adding it to your diet can reduce the chances of you getting affected by cancer.

 I now incorporate curry spice in many dishes , soups and anti inflammatory warm beverages.

curry

Recipes

Curry Rubbed Chicken Temders

• 2 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon ground cumin

¼ teaspoon ground allspice

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 pound boneless chicken tenders

Soak 10 or so 8-inch wooden skewers in water to cover for at least 30 minutes (one skewer for each tender).

You can also just grill the tenders without skewers.

In a large bowl or container, mix together the curry powder, chili powder, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, and salt and pepper until well blended. Add the chicken tenders and toss in the mixture to coat.

Preheat the broiler or grill. Thread one chicken tender onto each skewer. Broil or grill for about 4 minutes on each side, until they are just cooked throughout.

sprinkle with either chopped parsley or chopped spring onions.

I serve with rice and salad

 

Golden Milk

I just love this it’s so warming and what a great anti inflammatory drink.

1 LARGE SERVING FOR 1 PERSON

• 1 tsp of ground turmeric or curry

• 1 tsp of ground ginger

• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon

• 0,25 tsp of ground black pepper

• 1 dash of cayenne pepper

• 1 cup (2,5 dl) of boiling water

• 1 tablespoon of heavy cream or coconut milk

• optional: 1/4 tsp of virgin coconut oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Pour all spices in a large tea cup and pour over boiling water. Stir.

2. Add cream or coconut milk and coconut oil if you choose and see how your drink becomes like… yellow milk. Drink it!

3. The spices will fall towards the bottom of the cup. I drink that also ….what a kick.

It’s Especially important to add the cayenne and or black pepper as the pepper helps with the absorption of curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric). The same goes for fat. Make sure you get some fat either in your drink or with it.

 

Recipe 2 Using Something other than water

Turmeric tea (also called golden milk) is a great way to get the benefits of turmeric daily. Find out how to make this ancient health boosting drink in under 5 minutes!cashew is what i use

Golden Milk- Note I use only Cashew Milk Unsweetened
Ingredients
2 cups milk of choice such as almond, , pecan, coconut, or dairy, or use bone broth in place of the milk for a more hearty tea.
1 -2 tsp turmeric
½ tsp cinnamon powder
pinch of ground black pepper
tiny piece of fresh, peeled ginger root or ¼ tsp ginger powder
pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tsp raw honey or maple syrup or to taste , you can also use stevia (optional)

Instructions
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth.
Pour into a small saucepan and heat for 3-5 minutes over medium heat until hot, but not boiling.
Drink immediately

 

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