Ingredient of the Week: Fresh Ginger


I have a long love story with ginger.

It really started in college, when I was first learning to cook. Egg rolls were one of the first things I learned to make (I was so scared of frying!). And that was when I first learned about the fresh, spicy kick that is ginger.

Then I went traveling in Europe. And at an outdoor symphony there, some friendly older ladies with loud laughs and big hats (who I totally want to be when I'm that age) offered me a slice of their candied ginger. Can I get a big wow?

Things escalated from there, and have brought me in the last year to such non-mistakes as Homemade Ginger Syrup (for ginger sodas whenever you want!) and Triple Ginger Snaps (with fresh, candied, and powdered ginger all at once!).

It doesn't hurt that ginger is a lovely, lovely medicinal and got me through my awful morning sickness. I remember many a time when the difference between a dinner kept and a dinner lost was a single ginger chew.


It's stimulating, wonderful for indigestion, and also clears congestion if you have a cold. It clears and opens your throat, and singers often drink ginger tea before recitals.

Have I mentioned how easy it is to store? No need for baggies or refrigerators. Just slice off what you need, and put it back in the fruit bowl (or wherever you keep it). It self-seals, and stays good for weeks!

And when it finally is time to finish it off, just slice it up, cover it with water, and heat to boiling for a very flavorful, satisfying, and healthy herbal tea.


Did I mention it's cheap? Oh baby. It may look expensive, but if you just break off a nub you can almost always get more than enough for under one buck American.

Ginger. I can't say enough good things.

What is your favorite way to use ginger? Is there anyone out there who dislikes ginger? And if so, can we still be friends? I'm just not sure.

9 comments:

Una Semplice Passione said...

I actually almost never cook with ginger but my boyfriend does. He uses it a lot actually. I do like to eat recipes where ginger is used. My Philippine friend once showed me how to make tea of it (which I would have never thought of before). It's nice to know how positively ginger can contribute to our health. And that it made such a difference when you were pregnant!

Lemon said...

I've just bought fresh ginger...

Ana Regalado said...

Ah ginger ! How do I love thee ? hahaha Some don't really like ginger I guess they don't know what they're missing :D I add ginger in every ( or almost ) dish that I cook ;D

Anonymous said...

I appreciate this post because I have not used ginger too much. I know it is really good, and I love it in cookies. Thanks for the ideas.

Cakebrain said...

i love ginger too! i always have some on my counter. your post is making me want some soft ginger cookies!

Helene Dsouza said...

Very informative post, enjoyed the read. yeah I agree gingr is a wonder root. as u said great against morning sickness (never expirienced thats what others tell me), against a cold and one more thing its an excellent meat tenderizer.

Zoe said...

I love ginger too!

I always took for granted of ginger when I was living a tropical country...now ginger is so expensive to buy in Melbourne.

LynnieBee said...

Ginger tea is my absolute lifesaver :)

amlamonte said...

hooray i love all the passion for ginger! i knew i believed in you guys :)