By Kayla Schmidt
Ginger has countless benefits. It can reduce inflammation, boost your immune system, help with weight loss and provide relief from nausea and indigestion. Plus, some research has shown that it can improve brain function and protect against Alzheimer’s as well as protect against cancer. It contains Vitamins C, B6 and B3, along with a smidge of Vitamin A. So, why aren’t we eating more ginger? Here are seven ways you can boost your ginger consumption.
Make a brown sauce
Sammie Li, co-owner of Tengda in Katonah, says something she commonly uses ginger for is making a brown sauce, or “soy ginger sauce.” Her recipe features some very basic ingredients, including chicken stock, soy sauce, ginger and oyster sauce. Whisk it all together to create a delicious sauce to marinade meats or seafood, brush it on grilled veggies, drizzle it over noodles, or anything else you see fit.
Whip up a ginger-infused stir fry
Li says ginger can enhance seafood’s taste, and making a delicious Cantonese-style stir fry is a lot easier than you may think. Mix together some sauteed lobster, ginger and garlic sauce with your favorite vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, etc.) and some egg noodles or rice noodles. Add any other ingredients you see fit, and voila! You have an easy and delicious meal.
Bake a ginger-spiced pumpkin bread
A little sweet, a little spicy, a ginger pumpkin bread is the perfect fall treat and a great way to begin “baking season.” Fresh ginger does have more health benefits than the dried version, but if fresh is too strong for you, find a recipe that uses it as a spice. And if you have a mini loaf pan, you can either freeze the small breads for later use or give them as gifts.
Elevate your cocktails with a little ginger
If you’re looking to put a little twist on a classic, Li recommends a ginger martini for a zesty kick. You only need three ingredients: vodka, ginger liqueur and lychee juice. If vodka is not your thing, try a mezcal mule, substituting the ginger beer for some fresh ginger, honey and a bit of club soda to get those health benefits mentioned above. Or, create your own ginger-based cocktail with your favorite alcohol.
Transform pasta night with ginger scallion noodles
Sick of plain old pasta? Well, according to Li, there’s a delicious way to put a ginger-twist on it, and it’s a dish even picky eaters might enjoy. You can use whatever wheat-based noodles you have in your pantry or udon for this simple dish. You’ll whisk fresh ginger with soy sauce and a few spices before mixing it with your cooked pasta. Top with finely chopped scallions and enjoy. It’s a perfect way to spice up a classic.
Cook up a delicious carrot ginger soup
Make it for dinner on a chilly night, as part of your Thanksgiving meal or because you don’t know what else to do with the carrots in your fridge. Or, just make it because you like carrot ginger soup. Besides the obvious carrots and ginger, you’ll only need onion, garlic, broth and a few spices.
Go multicultural
If you’re not sure what to do with the remaining ginger sitting in your fridge, there are many cuisines that cook with ginger. Besides Chinese and Japanese dishes, this versatile herb can be found in Indian and Thai cuisines, Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken and and in many North African cuisines. In other words, it’s a great reason to try something new.
This article was published in the November/December 2024 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
