Did you make a New Year's resolution to eat more home-cooked meals or healthier meals? Are you tired of cooking with the same recipes over and over? Are you hesitant to buy a new spice jar just to make one recipe? Help spice up your life by cooking with a free spice kit featuring a spice sample and brochure of recipes available at some SCCLD Libraries. Starting on March 1, 2023, stop by the Bookmobile, Gilroy Library, Los Altos Library, or Milpitas Library for a kit with turmeric while supplies last. Every quarter, we will be issuing a new spice kit. See how adding spices to your cooking will enhance the flavor!
Turmeric is a root which may be used fresh or dried and ground into a yellow-orange powder. Turmeric is commonly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisines and has an earthy, bitter and slightly sweet flavor. Turmeric can be used as a natural food dye. Foods such as cheese, butter, mustard, and gelatins may include turmeric to enhance the yellow coloring. Turmeric may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
As you may be cooking more with your new spice kit, you may want a new chef's apron to wear in the kitchen or at the grill. The Gilroy Library is hosting a special event on Saturday, March 4 for teens and adults to sew their own chef's apron with a sewing machine. Sign-up at 2 pm or 3:15 pm to reserve your spot for this celebration of the new spice program. Not only is Gilroy known as the garlic capital of the world, Gilroy's motto is "a community with a spice for life"!
Chequered yellow apron with wooden spoon
To get you started, try roasted vegetables with turmeric:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
Put your favorite vegetables in a large bowl such as cauliflower (chopped), broccoli (chopped), carrots (sliced), zucchini (sliced), sweet potatoes (diced), mushrooms (sliced), red peppers (sliced), green beans, eggplant (chopped) and yellow onion (sliced). Pour 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the vegetables and stir.
In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the vegetables and stir. Spread the vegetable/spice mixture on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Explore the following books to transform your everyday cooking with spices.
