Sliced & Diced in AKs Kitchen: A Lesson in Indian Spices

Turmeric is one of those what-do-you-do-with-it spices. I have a shaker of the yellow powder sitting in my pantry, untouched for almost three years.
 
I now have a new appreciation for turmeric, thanks to a lesson from Chef Tara Rajan.

The ancient Indian spice is used as a colouring for food and clothing. The precious powder is also used in religious rituals to give blessings of life, purity and prosperity.

A west Indian friend recently told me about a pre-wedding ritual in his native Guyana. The bride and groom-to-be have their skinned covered with a turmeric paste a few days before the wedding ceremony. The morning of the wedding, the spice is washed off, leaving their skin smooth and purified for their new life together.

So many interesting uses, both culinary and otherwise, for this ancient powder. Take a look at my tutorial in turmeric and other Essential Indian Spices in the second instalment of Sliced & Diced in AKs Kitchen.