2018 December Colony Magazine

COLONY TASTE
NO BOUNDARIES
with Ginger
Ginger is a spice that
knows no boundaries. It
can jump start your meal
with an enthusiastic appetizer, add
zest to your main course, and finish
with a dessert that lingers on
the palate. Transforming each dish
into something completely different
on the tongue, ginger has a
magical way of adapting itself and
delivering a unique quality all its
own.
Hot, spicy, energizing, healing...
The story of ginger spans the
globe, reaching countless cuisines
and identifying classic dishes.
Not only does ginger burst with
flavor, it also is a powerhouse of
By Lori Foster of Spice of Life
healing benefits.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is
native to tropical forests in southeastern
Asia and is now grown
widely around the world, from
Hawaii to Africa, Australia and
many other countries. Ginger
grows underground as a horizontal
stem, or rhizome, with beautiful
green upright shoots reaching to
the sun. Close relatives are turmeric
and galangal which also grow as
rhizomes.
Warm, woody, peppery heat
with tender sweetness jumps out
at you as ginger mingles with other
ingredients. Classic Asian dishes,
Indian curries, Middle Eastern
and European cuisines all crave
the boldness of ginger. Complimentary
flavors that marry well
with ginger are garlic, lemongrass,
chili, turmeric, citrus, cinnamon,
cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and
saffron to name a few.
What would the holidays be
without ginger? Gingerbread
cookies, ginger snaps, and of
course, pumpkin spice blends
with ginger being a key ingredients.
Try adding molasses to ginger
cookies which gives a softer
texture and almost caramel flavor.
Sauteed, tender carrots with fresh
shredded ginger and garlic or
roast winter squash with a dusting
of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg
to bring about the warming
flavors of winter.
Not only does ginger taste delicious,
the medicinal benefits are
pretty impressive as well.
Ginger is among the healthiest
spices in the world with countless
studies and reports throughout
history showing effective results.
Ginger’s ability to calm upset
stomachs and motion sickness has
been a comfort for many. It can
also help relieve digestive problems,
soothe morning sickness
and nausea. During the cold and
flu seasons, ginger is the perfect
spice to keep on hand to combat
sickness. Strong anti-inflammatory
properties help with arthritis and
other conditions while offering a
wide array of important vitamins
and minerals. Natural remedies
like ginger are a great alternative
to reaching for over-the-counter
medications for relief. Steeping
ginger with peppermint and chamomile
in a cup of hot water makes
a great tea to help relax, calm and
soothe the body.
Visit Lori at Spice of Life at 1306,
Pine St., Paso Robles, CA 93446
for more information on seasonal
spices and healthy recipes.
Superior
Customer
Service
December 2018, COLONY Magazine colonymagazine.com | 29