Turmeric: recipes that are good for you and color your table.

With turmeric, there are many recipes to try at least once. This spice, a relative of ginger and originating from Asia, is very common in North African and Eastern cuisine, but it is now easy to find in all supermarkets and online stores, both in powder and as fresh root.

It is a versatile and flavorful ingredient, perfect for seasoning almost any dish based on meat, vegetables, and even pasta dishes and desserts.
In general, besides being used in Eastern cuisine, this ingredient is also the star of many Ayurvedic dishes due to its countless benefits for the human body. The active ingredient of this spice is, in fact, curcumin, a substance that can alleviate symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases and is also anti-tumor, antioxidant, antibacterial, analgesic, and healing.

Before we start exploring turmeric and the recipes that feature it, it is important to make a small note. Like all spices, turmeric should not be cooked for too long, as it may lose its nutritional properties. Moreover, in all preparations, it should always be paired with a bit of pepper: even a pinch is enough to help the body absorb this substance. It would be ideal to buy completely organic fresh turmeric, which is very versatile and easy to use. It also has a higher amount of vitamins: you just need to grate a bit after peeling it to color your dishes. So, let’s discover this ingredient with all its exotic charm.

Turmeric recipes: let’s get creative with fresh root

Turmeric recipes: you can prepare many dishes with fresh turmeric. This root is indeed easily available in supermarkets and online stores and is perfect for use in various dishes. When you buy it, treat it as if it were fresh ginger, so wash and dry it before peeling. At this point, it will be easy to cut or grate it depending on what the recipe requires. If you want to substitute fresh turmeric for the powdered version, remember to triple the doses.

Recipes with powdered turmeric

There are also many recipes with powdered turmeric. Ideally, you should lightly toast this spice, pairing it with a bit of pepper or some fat, such as oil. Powdered turmeric, the base of curry, is the spice of health. Incorporating this root into our diet is not complicated at all. Its delicate flavor enhances a wide variety of dishes. Add it to meat, fish, in the dough for breads or desserts, in smoothies, or yogurt, however you prefer. You will be pleasantly surprised! Now let’s look at some recipes to understand how to use this spice.

Turmeric, pasta recipes

When thinking of turmeric, pasta recipes might be the first that come to mind. Some people might be hesitant. How can you use such an exotic ingredient in a dish so Italian? Can its bitter flavor, heightened in the fresh root, and its intense aroma be paired with our pasta? Well, surprise: turmeric and pasta are a perfect match! This simple and quick dish is truly ideal for when you want to cook something flavorful and fast. As always, the first suggestion is to buy first-rate organic products. On our site, you can find not only this spice but also all the necessary ingredients, ideal for making the dish.

For instance, in this case, it is important to purchase quality pasta: by taking a look in the dedicated section called Pasta and Rice, you will find not only the classic version made from durum wheat but also more prestigious variations like spelt pasta or kamut pasta. You can choose what suits you best. For this recipe, we recommend short pasta, preferably ridged. For four servings, you will need 350g of rigatoni, 400g of fresh cream cheese, 15g of turmeric (fresh or powdered), half a teaspoon of black pepper, and salt to taste.
First, bring a pot of salted water to a boil, and once boiling, cook the pasta, remembering to drain it al dente. In a separate pan, add turmeric and ground pepper, toasting over low heat for a few minutes while stirring, ensuring the spices release their flavor and aroma. Then add the cream cheese and a bit of pasta cooking water.
Drain the pasta and add it to the pan, tossing it over medium heat for a couple of minutes. And there you have it; now you can taste your pasta! If you want to add a little something, try adding peas—it will be delicious. With turmeric, pasta recipes are truly varied: all that's left is for you to try.

Turmeric rice recipes

If you want to try turmeric, then rice recipes are perhaps the most suitable. Did you know it is also called "Indian saffron"? In fact, recreating a delicious risotto with this spice will not be difficult. For four people, you will need 350g of carnaroli rice, 100g of fresh turmeric, a finely chopped small white onion, one liter of vegetable broth, white wine for deglazing, 40g of butter, 50g of grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and a good sprinkle of black pepper.

After chopping the onion, wash the fresh turmeric root, dry it, and peel it, being careful not to stain yourself. Then chop or, if possible, grate it. Melt the butter in a saucepan, then add the chopped onion and turmeric, letting it cook over low heat for 10 minutes, adding a ladleful of broth periodically to keep the mixture from drying out too much. At this point, add the rice and let it toast for a few minutes, then deglaze with the white wine and let it evaporate. Continue cooking the rice by adding hot broth a little at a time and stirring often to prevent it from sticking.
When fully cooked, turn off the heat and add the grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining butter, mixing to combine and sprinkling with a generous amount of pepper. Your delicious risotto is ready!

Turmeric chicken recipes

With turmeric, there are interesting recipes with chicken. These two ingredients are perfect for an original main dish. For turmeric chicken, you will need 600g of chicken breast, a golden onion, a bit of all-purpose flour, a pack of fresh liquid cream, turmeric powder to taste, an apple, salt, oil, and black pepper. First, roughly chop the chicken breast and dust it with flour. Chop the onion and sauté it in a pan with a bit of oil. Add thinly sliced apple without skin, add the chicken, and cook until fully browned. In a bowl, mix the cream with turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Then pour the sauce over the chicken and let it cook for five minutes. And there you have it—your turmeric chicken is ready. Serve it with basmati rice and a few leaves of coriander.

Turmeric fish recipes

Now let’s talk about turmeric in fish recipes. The simplest and tastiest recipe is baked fish in foil, a typical Mediterranean dish that is very easy to make. In this case, you can let your imagination run wild, choosing the fish you like best. We recommend, for 4 people, 1kg of mussels, a slice of swordfish, 200g of squid rings, 500g of shrimp, a couple of handfuls of cherry tomatoes, a few cloves of garlic, parsley, turmeric, pepper, salt, and oil.
First, clean the mussels and soak them in cold water for a few hours to eliminate all the sand. Clean the shrimp, removing the heads. Prepare aluminum foil to make the packets. Then fill them with the mix of fish, vegetables, and spices. Bake in a fan oven at 200°C for about 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and serve. With turmeric, there are numerous fish recipes: all that's left is for you to try and experiment!

Turmeric recipes for weight loss

There’s no need to search for turmeric weight loss recipes... just one will do, namely the golden milk, a remedy from India. Also called golden milk, consuming it daily for a month helps restore physical well-being by activating metabolism. The keyword is “consistency.” Be consistent for a month, and you will truly see results! The first step in preparing it is making the turmeric paste, which can be stored in a jar for a month. You will need 120 ml of water, 50g of powdered turmeric, and half a teaspoon of black pepper. For your daily golden milk, you will need plant-based milk, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and honey to sweeten.

To prepare the turmeric paste, pour the water into a small pot with turmeric and pepper, then turn on the heat and stir until obtaining a paste-like consistency. At this point, you can transfer the turmeric paste into a well-sealed jar and store it in the refrigerator for a month. This is the base for your daily golden milk. Each morning, you just need to heat your milk in a pot and add a teaspoon of turmeric paste and a sprinkle of cinnamon. All that's left is to savor this delightful drink!

Vegetarian turmeric recipes

There are many vegetarian turmeric recipes variations. Why not try a soup? You will need 5g of ginger, half a leek, two carrots, a tablespoon of powdered turmeric, half a cup of unsweetened soy milk, a tablespoon of EVO oil, vegetable broth, and salt and pepper to taste.
First, chop the ginger and carrots in a blender. Sauté the leek, then add the vegetables, milk, and turmeric, letting it boil while adding broth occasionally until cooked. Add salt and pepper and blend the mixture with a hand blender until it becomes creamy. Serve with bread croutons and enjoy; it will be delightful!

Turmeric recipes, buy your ingredients online!

As you may have noticed, there are many recipes with turmeric, being an extremely healthy and versatile ingredient. With its active ingredients and delicate flavor, it is truly perfect for flavoring any type of dish.
Try taking a look at our online selection to purchase quality fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and cured meats. With a simple click, you will quickly receive the best all-Italian products at home. What could be more convenient than groceries delivered right to your door?

Maria Nardone

S&M