Ginger

Ginger was first grown in Asia where it is used for medicine as well as food, but is commonly found in India and has been used for centuries. It is used primarily as a spice in cooking but can be eaten whole as a delicacy and is considered the world's most popular spice. It is the underground stem of the ginger plant, though it is commonly thought of as a root and sometimes referred to as 'ginger root'.

Ginger is used in a variety of different cuisine, but is especially common in Asian and Indian cooking. It can be eaten fresh, pickled (sushi ginger), candied or ground up. It is essential to oriental and indian cooking and is used to make stir fries, sushi, chutneys, satays and pastes. In Western cooking, it is used for making all kinds of cakes, breads and desserts such as gingerbread and ginger cookies. Ground up and powdered, it is used to flavor any number of dishes. Ginger is also used in puddings, jams and preserves and in beverages to make ginger tea, ginger ale and even ginger beer. Pickled ginger is pickled with vinegar and in Japan is known as 'gari' and served with sushi. Candied or crystallized ginger is ginger cooked in sryup and then rolled in sugar to be used as a candy or sweet treat.

Ginger does not have a lot of nutrients partially because it is used in such small amounts, but it does have potassium which is good for your muscles and heart. It is known to help ease a stomach ache and to help with stomach related problems such as nausea and irritable bowels. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory for use with arthritis, muscle spasms and joint pain.

Fresh ginger should be knobby and have a shiny skin. If it is wrinkled or cracked, it is generally older and not as favorable. Fresh ginger has a light green color, while dried ginger can be nearly black, with the skin left on, or white, with the skin peeled off. Fresh ginger can be kept for several weeks in the salad drawer of the refrigerator and you should store dried and powdered ginger in airtight containers.

Serving Suggestions and Related Recipes:

• Use it to add to any stir fry or stew to add extra flavor and is a common ingredient in teriyaki sauce.
• Use it in baking for muffins, cookies or pies and is a common ingredient in pumpkin pie.
• Ginger works especially well with pork or chicken and can be used to make a variety of glazes.
• Szechuan Grilled Flank Steak
• Apricot Sauce
• Apricot Ginger Western Wings
• Orange Marmalade with Bourbon Glazed Ham

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