Page 4 - ROOT-September-October

Spice It Up: GINGER

Ginger is warm, slightly spicy, and perfect for a rich, flavorful addition. You can add ginger

the holiday season. It adds flavor to cookies, to spritzers, sodas, lemonade, chai tea, lattes,
gingerbread houses, teas, and more. But ginger smoothies, infused water, and a variety of other
isn’t just for December. It can be used in both homemade drinks.
sweet and savory dishes throughout the year. Of course, there are many di erent types of

Fresh or ground, ginger has many uses. With ginger. Explore spice markets to discover a range

fresh ginger, many promote storing it in the of varieties that come in diverse flavors and colors.
freezer and using a spoon to peel the thin skin. Consuming ginger is not only good for the
Others suggest leaving the skin on for added palate; it’s good for the body. It has been proven

flavor. Like most spices, ground ginger is dried, to support good gut health and help treat nausea

which results in a more intense flavor than the and vomiting. Additionally, ginger is rich in
fresh version. Most of us use the powdered antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

ginger sold in supermarkets. The flavor of

ginger can weaken over time, so check the Ginger might be a holiday favorite, but there’s
smell or best-by date periodically to ensure you no reason to save it for winter. Try using it in
have the ginger taste you need waiting for you. your kitchen all year long.
Ginger is a good support for savory dishes Source:
and a counterbalance to sweet meals. Pair https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-
ginger with fruit in marmalades, marinades for and-prevention/ginger-benefi ts
meat, and desserts. Blend the spice into salad https://www.seriouseats.com/what-is-ground-
dressings, hearty sauces, and meat dishes for ginger-8559620

spotlight on superf ds: LENTILS

Lentils are a healthy, versatile, and filling food. lentils can add bulk but little flavor to a limp

Their mild flavor makes them easy to pair with sauce. They add heft and fiber to salads. On

a wide range of ingredients. It’s no surprise Meatless Mondays, lentils are a great meat
that lentils have been a part of diets around substitute in stews, chili, tacos, and other
the world for thousands of years. Native to the dishes. After a short food processing session,
Middle East and North America, lentils were a lentil paste provides a great foundation for a
one of the first crops ever farmed. The ancient veggie burger or a “meat” loaf.

Romans and Egyptians relied on them as a A few lentil species have naturally bold flavors.

primary food source.
French lentils (called Lentilles du Puy) grow in
Lentils are packed with nutrients. They provide volcanic soil and are prized for their peppery
fiber, carbohydrates, folate, antioxidants, and taste. Plus, this dark green variety is sturdy,

prebiotics. These nutrients can help support so it holds its small, circular shape. The black
steady blood sugar and lower blood pressure. lentil, also known as the Beluga lentil, is a black

Lentils are a popular ingredient in Indian orb with a strong, earthy flavor. These varieties
cuisine, particularly in dishes such as dal. While shouldn’t hide or break down easily. Make
most people are familiar with the brown lentil, them the center of a dish or the heart of an
they also can be black, green, orange, red, and interesting dal, soup, or stew.
yellow. Most have a naturally earthy flavor that With numerous types and diverse uses, lentils

benefits from bold or bright ingredients to are an easy and a ordable way to add flavor,

enhance their appeal. Fortunately, there are texture, and nutrition to your meals.
many simple ways to make lentils interesting, Source:
such as adding cayenne, lemon, cilantro, or https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/
caramelized onions. food-features/lentils/
There are lots of easy ways to incorporate the https://www.bonappetit.com/story/types-of-
lens-shaped legume into your menu. Boiled lentils