If you have been following my cookbook writing journey for the past month or so, you would already know that I fell terribly sick in the thick of it all. Right in the middle of shooting close to 8 recipes a day with every imaginable food ingredient cluttering every bit of available flat surface and props and surfaces taking over the floor. I felt like I was going to die which is what I feel like every time I fall terribly sick once every 6 years or so. I get weepy because my mind is so incredibly active but my body just won't be the same way. I am a chronically fidgety person who doesn't like to sit. So you can imagine my extreme annoyance when I kept nodding off on my way to the doctor (Nick was driving, thank God!) and in the waiting room and at home and in the middle of having a conversation.
Anyhow, it took 10 days and a whole lot of antibiotics to fix me. I felt battered and bruised and exhausted. I have got my fidgety energy back but still have a persistent cough. I was dreading calling Mum and Dad because when I have a cough, Dad always asks me to have Turmeric Milk (yuk!). I suppose my gag-ridden reaction comes from having force fed a glass of warm, disgustingly yellow milk as a child every time I felt sick. But then I grew up and developed a more sophisticated abhorrence to the still unappetising glass of milk. I am not ashamed to say that I have not once had this milk since leaving my family home nearly 13 years ago (Sorry Dad!). I feel content in my decision to boycott turmeric milk because Nick feels the same way about it. But I have never forgotten the importance of having turmeric in your diet, especially after growing up on a diet that was very advised by the beliefs of Ayurvedic Cooking.
Turmeric is an amazing ingredient. It belongs to the ginger family from where it also derives it's warming and peppery properties. It is nature's antiseptic and has incredible medicinal properties helping ease aches, pains, fevers, sores, open wounds, skin conditions, allergies and stomach problems. Besides cooking Indian food, I am always trying to come up with interesting and innovative ways to include turmeric in our diets in a substantial amount while masking its slightly bitter flavour. This past week after exhausting my supply of medicines, I was on a mission to amp up my turmeric intake especially before calling Dad. Smoothies were the best way to achieve this and I must say, I have been feeling great; which could be for a number of reasons including the gorgeous Sydney weather and the cookbook shaping up really well. But I suspect that turmeric might have something to do with it.
I am sharing a quick turmeric smoothie recipe which also has Acai (ah-saa-ee) berry powder know for its antioxidant and anti-ageing properties. It is super delicious with mango and gives you an amazing boost of turmeric. Try it! Do you use turmeric in your cooking? I would love to know how 🙂
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MANGO BERRY AND TURMERIC SMOOTHIE
An antioxidant rich super smoothie made with the goodness of turmeric, acai berry, celery and mango for a power packed breakfast.
Makes - 600ml
Ingredients
1 cup cold milk
1/2 cup Greek yoghurt
1 cup frozen mango pieces
1 stick of celery
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon Acai Berry powder
4 strawberries, trimmed
Method
Place all ingredients in the jug of your blender. Process until smooth. Serve with an extra stick of celery.
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Great recipe! looks delicious!
Getting good ingredients is vital to the success of any dish. You can purchase turmeric and have it delivered to your door! http://www.australiangourmetpantry.com.au/shop/seasoning-spices-sauces/spices/green-valley-spices-tumeric-ground
I know how good turmeric is for you, but find it hard to handle the taste by itself. I love how this recipe manages to sneak it in a delicious smoothie. A must try with the cold season upon us!
I hope you are feeling better! I had no idea turmeric could be so good for you, going to try this for sure.
I also use turmeric in smoothies, quite often.
There's another recipe for which I love to use turmeric, a sweet Persian bread stuffed with dates. Yum yum! 🙂
Like Nicola, I have used turmeric pretty successfully in paella. I didn't realize it had the health benefits also however, I just didn't always have saffron available. Now I feel even better about my cheaper version of paella!
I must say I'm a bit of a believer in the old tumeric milk tea with honey to cure all ills. It is also fantastic mixed with honey and crushed garlic I know it sounds a bit full on it is like taking a pill and it has a miraculous effect on sore throats.
I love a mango smoothie so this is a great way to add turmeric into our diet. My other half is always telling me the health benefits of turmeric so I do try to use it whenever I can.
Hi Sneh, I'm a once-in-six-years sickness kind of girl too, so very annoyed on returning from 2 beautiful weeks overseas that I had succumbed to the snotty grotty cold that I had smugly avoided all winter! Two weeks on, still not 100% and left with persistent cough, so I shall take your advice and try this smoothie tomorrow! Thankyou (and sorry I missed you instore last week). Lisa x
A delightful smoothie! This combination rocks.
Cheers,
Rosa
love the idea! now why didn't i think of that?
I hope this helps your cough. I use turmeric in everything it's great for teething babies too. Works well in paella instead of saffron for a cheaper yellow colour.
My mum is the same! Every time I have a cough she forces hot milk with turmeric and pepper down my throat. I used to detest the stuff but I must say I have grown to appreciate it especially as it does help soothe a persistent cough.
Love these pics as always and glad you are feeling better!
Thanks for this recipe Sneh, I am constantly looking for ways to add more turmeric to my diet.