'Curcumin, the key chemical in turmeric, has been shown to possess very powerful health-promoting properties. Recent research has even found that curcumin can even prolong lives of fruit flies by 75 percent. While the research was done on insects, it highlights the life-promoting aspects of this powerful substance - along with mountains of other scientific research. The findings also shed light on how curcumin can slow the development of Alzheimer's and dementia. This research provides a potential explanation of why rates of dementia are less common among the elderly in India, where turmeric is widely used in the production of spices.'
Try these healthy and delicious tumeric based recipes.
Mixed vegetable curry
By Madhur Jaffrey
Preparation time less than 30 mins
Cooking time 10 to 30 mins
Ingredients
½ medium-sized (100g/4oz) aubergine (eggplant) cut into 2cm x 1cm/¾in x ½in sticks 2 small carrots (100g/4oz), peeled and cut into 2cm x 1cm/¾in x ½in sticks 100g/4oz/1 cup peas 100g/4oz/1 cup French beans, cut into 2.5cm/1in pieces 1 medium-sized potato (100g/4oz), peeled and cut into 2cm x 1cm/¾in x ½in sticks 50g/2oz/½ cup freshly grated coconut 4 fresh hot green chillies 2 tbsp white poppy seeds 1¼tsp salt 3 medium-sized tomatoes, roughly chopped 1 tbsp natural plain yoghurt 1 tsp garam masala 2 tbsp chopped, fresh green coriander
Method
1. Place the aubergine (eggplant), carrots, peas, French beans and potato in a medium-sized saucepan. Add 250ml/8fl oz/1 cup water. Bring to the boil. Cover, turn the heat to medium and cook for 4 minutes or until the vegeatbles are just tender.
2. Meanwhile put the coconut, chillies, poppy seeds and salt in the container of an electric blender. Add 150ml/5fl oz water and grind to a fine paste. Set aside.
3. When the vegetables are cooked, add the spice paste and another 150ml/5fl oz water. Stir and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Now add the tomatoes, the yoghurt and the garam masala. Stir gently to mix well. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes. Turn into a serving dish and garnish with the fresh coriander.
