I love when information about food, raw food and the relationship between food and health is highlighted in mainstream media. I was watching “Good Morning America” on Friday. Dr. David Servan-Schreiber was talking about his new book, “Anti Cancer, A New Way of Life”. One of the first things that he mentioned was how important it was to make your diet comprised mostly of plants. We already know that here, but what caught my attention was his reference to Turmeric. I have hear that turmeric is a healthy addition to your diet but after listening to Dr. Servan-Schreiber, I was inspired to do some more research and develop a recipe that is based on this “super food”.
Turmeric has been called one of nature’s most powerful healers. It has great anti-inflammatory properties which can address symptoms of arthritis. It is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It is said to be a digestive aid that will settle the stomach. Turmeric contains a rich source of antioxidants that help fight against free radicals. It also is said to have anti-platelet properties that help protect against strokes and heart attacks. Studies have also shown that it has a beneficial effect on the liver.
Since I am in a major snacking mode, I decided to make a raw food turmeric dip. It is quick, easy and contains great healthy properties from the turmeric along with the other ingredients.
- 1 C Soaked Cashews
- 1 C Young Coconut Flesh (1 – 2 young coconuts)
- 1/4 Coconut Water (from young coconut)
- 2 T Olive Oil
- 1 Clove Garlic
- 2 t. Turmeric
- 1 t. Ginger
- 2 T Agave
- 1 Sliced Cucumber
- Optional: other dipping veggies (celery, carrots, etc)
Place all ingredients in food processor and process until smooth. This will take a bit and you will need to stop and scrape down the sides occasionally. Slice Cucumber and pipe the dip onto rounds. Alternatively, cut up veggies and use as a dip. (I sprinkled a little paprika on top for the photo.)
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Wow! This looks yummy AND beautiful!
I use tumeric to color foods and in liue of saphron which is a $grip! I cannot really taste tumeric when used alone for a spice.
hm. must try this, but have to find something else for the coconuts. have none avaible here. beautyful photo!
Awesome info! I had no idea that Tumeric has so many healing properties. I’ll be incorporating more of this into my diet.
I saw it too and got excited to hear the plant-centric diet mode on mainstream tv. I try to use Tumeric often but sometimes forget, I grabbed my jar and put it in front of my other spices to remind me.
Beautiful photo!
xo
Eco Mama
I’ve been hearing about tumeric recently and started taking it as a supplement last month. Mayo has done trials using it and so far every result is amazing for preventing, shrinking and curing cancer with no side affects, although they tell you to not start taking it until they have finished their studies. incredible! thanks for providing a recipe. any classes coming up?
I just made a resolution to add more of this to my food! Never thought to add it to a dip.
I have a couple of big, stainless spice boxes my husband bought for us years ago after he took some cooking classes with an Indian chef and tumeric is right in the middle. There are so many healthful spices in that culture’s cooking, and the difference is that they use them in much higher quantities than we tend to in western cultures. Sometimes the spices actually add body to a dish, there’s so much. They definitely help with digestion. I put tumeric in everything, you can even dump it in with your tea. I do wonder about the medicinal qualities of herbs that are not grown and processed in a way that preserves their vital nutrients, if that makes sense. Like I try to buy organic and non-irradiated. I can actually get fresh tumeric root occasionally at some of the markets around here.
One tip: watch it around clothing and porous surfaces – it stains like crazy and is difficult or impossible to get out.
One other word on the benefits of turmeric. Add black pepper to it as it needs the pepper to release its goodness. I have been trying to incorporate more turmeric lately and have read this several times now. Cashews are soaking as I write:)
Huge fan of turmeric here! It’s a great warming herb, and it’s been in many of my winter recipes.
What is a good coconut substitution? I live in central Illinois and I have yet to see coconuts for sale at any time of the year.
Thanks,
Brooke
You can find young Thai coconuts at Whole Foods and many coops. I have heard that you can also find frozen coconut flesh in Asian grocery stores.
This looks yummy and so healthy! I’m always daunted by dealing with coconuts. I guess I should just get a big cleaver and get over it!
It is easy once you know what you are doing. I will be doing a photo demo VERY soon!
Made this up yesterday morning. Thought it tasted just OK at first but after a couple hours in the fridge it was wonderful. I took it to work today with some yam chips and my coworkers were very impressed with it. Will go into my to make often recipe file. Thanks. One question…how do you get it so smooth so it looks so nice. My spreads and dips with nuts are always chunky/gritty. Taste fine but do not look so good. I have a Vitamix but I only make half portions because its just me and it would not work in the VM. Maybe more liquid?? What do you suggest?
Yes…much better after a little time. I was actually going to add that to the recipe. You can use your vitamix to get it really smooth. If you are using the food processor, you just have to be patient. It takes longer than you would think. You can add liquid but I wouldn’t add more than a tablespoon at a time as the consistency can be tricky.
thank you! my naturopath told me to eat more tumeric but it is not always easy to think of raw recipes with tumeric in them.
Wow, thanks so much for all this info, & that yummy-sounding recipe, & that GEORGOUS picture!
I thought, though, that black pepper wasn’t good for the lining of the stomach…is there not something else that can have the same bebefits without the drawbacks of black pepper? Anyone?
I hope you don’t mind if I link to this on my FaceBook page! There’s a few people I know there that need to read it!
~Anastazia~
I do not have black pepper in the recipe. But I have also read that black pepper can help enhance the benefits. But every person is different as to how they react to food.
Did you ever try something with fresh tumeric? I recently bought a handful, but don’t know how to use it (raw)
I had 3 cases of MRSA staph last year. I read countless articles online that Tumeric ( and Manuka Honey ) helps speed up recovery so I gave it a try! The results were amazing! I’ve now been staph free for a year!
Where do I find turmeric? Can I buy it at my grocery store?
Yes…it is a spice.
I just started eating raw and love it – about 4 weeks now. Going to a party. Thought this would work along with the tomato basil appetizers. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Michele
Beside all said, i just found out one more benefit: for arthritis – take a glass of raw almond milk warm with 2teaspoon of turmeric, mix and this make miracle!
My friend is a massage-therapist and begun to feel her fingers with pain as she uses all the time her hands! She already does not feel pain neither swallow –
- it is great for immune system too!
I have spice and last summer i got many roots at my farmers market and looks like ginger root!
As i have ginger root plant at my garden and already have been eating my own ginger, i decide to make the same with my turmeric root! I took one – divided each point and plant… Last month after big green leaves came out as a plant, very similar to the ginger leaves (i plant one side the other in very big pots) there was 6 turmeric roots beautiaful ! It is great as fresh and you just grind it and use a spoon as it grated!
The color is like yellow orange… amazing!
This is a must try Susan! Thanks!:)
If you are pregant do use turmeric sparingly. It can possibly cause miscarriage because it attacks everything foreign in the body – this possibly includes the unborn child.