As this is not the BMJ (British Medical Journal) or the Lancet I really shouldn’t spend too much time expounding the health virtues of Turmeric, a plant native to South India and Indonesia. The resulting spice Turmeric and its active ingredient Curcumin are worth mentioning briefly because of the wide range of reported benefits some of which may surprise you …It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns. Also of interest for some , Turmeric reportedly is a natural liver detoxifier and may prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque build up in the brain. Great aint it ,could help us oppos live longer.
When I was in Malaysia, at 3am and suitably dressed in scruffs, I informed our local taxi driver that I wanted to go to the market. He replied “Tourist market not open till 8am.” when I explained that the market I wanted to visit was the commercial market just outside the city he said “You bloody crazy, you really not want go that place, eh?”
On arrival I could understand his concerns as it really was a farm, a feedlot, a slaughterhouse, a butchers and market stall for all things edible in one place. The advantage for me was that everyone seemed to be at least a foot shorter making access at least visible much easier. Talk about food chain or miles, this was more of a link than a chain and miles became centimetres. The vegetable section was another matter altogether with the fragrant blast of herbs all but knocking you off of your feet.
I wandered around the market trying to identify the different fruits and herbs on display with the stall holders eager to sell their wares. One thing however had me completely stumped. Sandwiched between Indian ginger and galangal (Thai ginger) was, I assumed due to its location, a type of ginger but what I can only describe as looking like a dead whitchity grub. Noticing my puzzled look the young stallholder rubbed her cheek and seemed to be painting a picture in an effort to explain to me what it was.
Having established it was called Kunyit or Kamin, I bought some and hoped that someone back at the camp could tell me what it was. Turmeric, fresh turmeric, once used for make-up (rubbing the cheek) and as a paint (painting the picture) as well as colouring the tunics of the Buddhist monks, but why was it for sale in the vegetable market?
Now to describe the smell of powdered turmeric bought from a supermarket and its quite easy to agree with the description of it being musty or even of decaying wood….that’s because it’s gone off, its old, no wonder its known more for its colouring properties than its taste. In Spain it’s often used as a colour substitute to colour Paella mimicking the colour of saffron “but with no taste”
If there is one spice which deserves to be bought and tried fresh it just has to be fresh turmeric, vibrant in both colour and taste like a milder version of Galangal. It’s most definitely a ginger with beautiful fragrance followed by a warming of the throat and mild nasal hit.
So my No1 Spice I learned not only cures all, from cuts to colds and even burnt scabby holes but tastes amazing too. Unfortunately it also lives up to its reputation as a colourant. It stains everything, from chopping boards to counter tops, white shirts and oven cloths in fact any, and everything. If you get it on your fingers or your whites you will be forgiven for referring to turmeric as just another bloody colourant .
So by now you will be thinking whats this got to do with the next meet? Well I have sorted the towns just waiting for Mick to do the honours to put them up for you with the restaurants so a preview is below of what’s available.
Meet at Leeds
First opened as an inn in 1841, and haunted by a grey lady, The Palace, on Kirkgate (just a stone’s throw away from the bus station), has a lovely wooden interior and a respectable selection of real ales that attract all the aficionados, though some complain that the prices are a little steep.
Then on to a buffet evening meal
44-48 The Light
The Headrow
Leeds
LS18TLTel: 0113 244 0400
Fax: 0113 246 9364
Cuisines:Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Japanese, English
No. of Dishes:200
DaysLunchDinnerMon - Thurs£9.99£14.99Friday£9.99£17.99Saturday£10.99£17.99Sunday£11.99£14.99
Manchester meet in the Marble Arch
Stocking some beers from its own award-winning micro-brewery as well as other ales, The Marble Arch is considered one of the finest pubs in Manchester
Then on to a buffet evening meal as below
48 Deansgate Manchester M3 2EG, Tel: 0161 819 1240. Cuisines: Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Japanese, English. No. of Dishes: 300 ...
DaysLunchDinnerMon - Thurs£7.99£13.99Friday£7.99£14.99Saturday£8.99£14.99Sunday£9.99£13.99
Liverpool
Meet at the most famous pub in the world and the favourite drinking hole of the . Located on Mathew Street, , England.
Then on to a buffet evening meal
Unit P11
The Terrace
Paradise Street
Liverpool One
Liverpool L1 8JFTel: 0151 707 9688
Fax: 0151 709 6898
Cuisines:Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Japanese
No. of Dishes:150
DaysLunchDinnerMon - Thurs£7.99£12.99Friday£7.99£13.99Saturday£8.99£14.99Sunday£9.99£12.99
Just watch the site when Mick puts the details up and your email box so till next time,
Toodle pip magic
Message Thread
« Back to index