How To Use Turmeric In Your Dinner

Turmeric is known for reducing inflammation in the body and lowering the risk of chronic diseases. You can reap the benefits by consuming a supplement or by adding a dash to season your meals.

Click here for the 9 Delicious Anti-Inflammatory Foods slideshow.

Turmeric comes from the root of Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family. It has an aroma of orange and ginger, with a bitter, strong flavor, and its yellow ocher hue lends curries their distinctive color. Due to its intense flavor, a little goes a long way. You can use it to flavor traditional curries or as a seasoning for chicken.

If you're worried about disliking the strong flavor, you can still reap the benefits by adding a dash to your smoothie. The Banana-Turmeric Chai Smoothie recipe disguises the flavor of turmeric with sweet bananas and raw honey. When you decide to branch out, try making a fish curry with mustard. Greek yogurt takes away from the spicy flavor and you can always reduce the amount of the spice that you add to the dish. If you are vegetarian or vegan, you can season your vegetables with turmeric. This zesty recipe is a great complimentary side dish for any dinner recipe.

The accompanying slideshow is provided by fellow Daily Meal editorial staff member Emily Jacobs.