5 Ways to use Warming Ginger

How do you like your ginger?

Ginger ale, ginger snaps, ginger cake, crystalized ginger . . . Vernors!  Vernors is a ginger ale that was only available in Michigan when I was growing up as a kid–it is the iconic drink for locals.  Well, at least this local.  Recently, I saw Vernors at the grocery store and did a happy dance while hugging and kissing a 12 pack!  I was so excited I couldn’t help myself!  A little slice of home, in a can, in my hands!  I love ginger!

1.  Ginger Tea

Ok, this is super simple–boiling water and ginger.  Stir.

Really! It is that simple.  Ginger is a body cleansing herb.  I drink ginger tea when my stomach is feeling upset.  My kids aren’t crazy about the flavor of just ginger and water so for them I add lemon juice with a touch of honey.  This is also a great tonic for a sore throat.  I’ve also been told that it can relieve menstrual  cramps, motion sickness and morning sickness.  (Now that is information that I could have really used with my 2nd pregnancy!–I’ll spare you the detail but it wasn’t pleasant!)

2.  Ginger Sunrise Juice

Did I tell you I started juicing?  I found a great deal on a juicer right after Christmas and have been juicing ever since.  I started slow–once a day, then graduated to twice a day and then . . . now I’m back to once a day.  I love how my body feels when I drink my Ginger Sunrise Juice.

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3.  Preserving Ginger

Did you know you can freeze fresh ginger?  It really is quite simple.  

1. Peel fresh ginger.  (see my How-to peel ginger video)
2. Chop in the blender or cut finely with a knife.  (stop for a moment and soak up the aromatherapy of ginger)
3. Seal in a plastic bag or glass container.  (I use baby food jars)
4. Ginger will thaw within 10 minutes depending on how thick they are cut.

4.  Ginger Infused Rice

I use my rice cooker a few times a week.  We love to eat rice in our house.  I add a one inch knob of ginger to the rice water as it is cooking.  The warming ginger flavor infuses each grain of rice.  TIP:  this is especially helpful with introducing a ginger flavor.  

5.  Ginger Ice Cream or my Mom’s Boston Cooler

Ok–NOT VEGAN.  But so incredibly awesome.  I just add frozen ginger from  #3 with cream and sugar into my ice cream maker.  Amazing.

Or if you don’t have an ice cream maker you could make a Boston Cooler.  My Mom loved Boston Coolers and she made them for us on hot summer nights at the cabin.  They are simple to make as well.  Two scoops of ice cream into a glass and fill with Vernors.  It becomes a bubbly mix that is creamy, cold and warm at the same time.  When I’m feeling nostalgic and missing my Mom . . . I have one.  

How-to Buy Ginger (because I’m really hoping that you will!)

When you go to the store to buy ginger–look for a firm looking root that doesn’t have any wrinkles.  I keep the ginger on my counter top among the bananas and apples.   I recently bought organic ginger for the first time, I was just curious.  Whoa!  The organic ginger had WAY more flavor.  So much so . . . I almost couldn’t drink my juice–so beware.  I’m always skeptical so I  bought it a second time and the results were the same–amazing intense flavor.

Do you have a favorite recipe that includes ginger?  Can you share it?  If you leave a link I will add it to the Renee’s Kitchen Reader Pinterest Board.  

L.O.V.E. (local, organic, veggies, everyday)

Renee