What to do with turmeric?

[Tropical food forest]

raw cane sugar is just as good

whats even better is the big chunks of Cane sugar you can get at some asian grocery stores
its a 1 kilo block. wellunder $10
its a fraction of the price of palm sugar
and has the full flavour because its staill has rem
nants of the molasses in it

just so tasty, not just in this drink but also in Capeirinha

Lime juice 1/2 lime
palms sugar or above mentioned raw cane sugar tsp to desert sp
Cachaca - or a white rum will do. even a vodka 30 -45 ml

really crush the and brusies the limes to burst the sacs
but also to release the oils from the zest into the drink
serve neat over ice
great sundowner

yes the turmeric drink has that earthy taste. you may acquire it

try the same recipe with ginger if you want something hotter and more sharp

[mischief]

Okay Im dribbling here.
Does anyone in NZ have some Tumeric corms I can have or buy?

[aroideana]

Turmeric
In Aust there are two forms , possibly two separate species.
the darker (orange rhizome) one that is not as vigorous or as tall as the other.
Thats the real deal afaic.

The other has a lighter, more yellow coloured flesh inside the rhizome and the rhizome skin is more silvery.
the leaves are larger and more heavily corrugated.
It grows a lot quicker and therefore spreads from garden to garden (via people) a lot quicker.
I use it interchangeably with Turmeric , that's if it is a diferent species.

I prefer the darker one, especially for making Jamu, and with that, I use the mother corms as they're stronger in colour again.

for Indonesian spice pastes I only use the lighter one if I cant get the darker one.

The one in Aroideana's pic is the lighter one for sure.

Jamu- trad. Indonesian tonic drink

Turmeric about a handful , grated dont bother peeling it
palm sugar - maybe 1/2-1cup
tamarind pulp - 1/4-1/ cup
placeall in saucepan , cover with 1 litre water.
bring to boil and simmer 1/2- 3/4 hr.
strain and bottle.
take a 1/4-12 cup dose a few times a day hot or cold.

should last a few days in the fridge...
or ferment with water kefir, kombucha or just beer or wine yeast for a fizzy,
slightly (or more) alcoholic drink over ice.

I've also made it with the Temulawak (C.xanthorrhiza) that Tropical food forest mentioned and it's great too.

In Java and Bali you can buy it carbonated in ginger beer bottles made with Temu Lawak .

I like turmeric, powdered and fresh they're both good, but different products.

Finally got some of the darker coloured Turmeric , and will start another patch .

[aroideana]

dramatic colour difference

[Speedy]

That's the one Aroideana

NZ spinach is so tasty too - im suprised it doesnt get spoken about more

Just read through this thread again
and thought I might mention another use for turmeric in cooking, this time with leafy green veges
In Sri Lanka there is a range of dishes refered to as 'Mallum' or 'Malung'
theyre all cooked pretty much the same way but it's the veg(s) that vary.
Mallum dishes can also feature fruits- Jakfruit, plantain etc. or pulses,
but it was the ones cooked with greens that stood out most for me.

Gotu Kola Mallum - (Centella asiatica) ...Yes, Gotu Kola is the Sinhalese name for the plant
Kangkun mallum - (ipomoea aquatica)
Mukunuwenna mallum -(Alternanthera sessilis)
Murunga mallum -(Moringa oleifera lvs)
Kathurumurungu mallum- (Sesbania grandiflora lvs.)
cabbage mallum
Tampala (Amaranthus sp.)

and I reckon NZ spinach mallum would be great

the common ingredients to most of them are

6 red onions (shallots)
2 dry chilli flaked or cut
1/2 dspn maldive fish
1 sprig curry leaves (1 compound leaf)
1/2 tspn turmeric powder - here you could add fresh grated turmeric instead of dried.
salt
lime juice
1tspn cummin seeds ground
3dspn fresh grated coconut - I ususlly use more


wash and shred leaves finely
slice onions and mix all ingredients in exept coconut and lime
put into pot with a few tbspns water and boil.
slightly grind coconut and add to lvs and simmer for a while.
add lime juice, stir and serve.

[sindhooram]

I dont really have any cooking recipies, but I ionce stayed at a center for ayurvedic and tribal medicines. The doctor there is quite famous for curing difficult diseases using bodywork,breathwork natural medicines and urine therapy. He gives to nearly all the patients who go there a blended mix of coconut milk (milk not water) turmeric and peppercorns. According to him black pepper the absorbability of turmeric in the body. I later read this fact in another place .....

[aroideana]

speedy , I have been waiting for the local tamarind trees to give me some fresh fruit to make your jamu ...
just tried it hot off the stove ,its excellent , thanks very much .
Also , I have made the mallum with daikon radish leaves I had growing , think I got the recipe from Charmaine Solomons excellent
Complete Asian Cookbook .

[tropicalexotics]

Where can I get some some of the orange tumeric Michael...does it taste different to the yellow?

[eco4560]

Which has reminded me that I got to step 1 in the fish curry recipe but never got to step 2. I hope the curry paste has kept well in the fridge....

[permasculptor]

I have heaps of the orange turmeric, if you want some I will post it to you .Just need an address.