Fresh ginger root is a reliably flavorful and highly versatile ingredient. Students working on a cooking certificate online can use this spice to step up a wide variety of dishes. If you have an arm of ginger on hand, put it to good use in one of these recipes:
1. Make a classic stir fry
“Stir fry is a convenient way of using up leftover produce, but it can be much more.
For many home cooks, a stir fry is a convenient way of using up leftover produce on a weekday, but it can be so much more. Serious Eats provided a recipe for a Cantonese-style shrimp stir fry that makes the most of a flavor combination featuring ginger and garlic.
Begin by placing a half pound of skinned, deveined shrimp in a bowl and soaking in a solution of cold water and baking soda. This will ensure the shellfish will stay juicy and crunchy when cooked. Keep the bowl in the refrigerator for about half an hour.
Drain the shrimp and rinse in cold water. Pat them dry with paper towels and move to a bowl, mixing with vegetable oil, salt and white pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk four eggs with milk, salt and pepper.
Warm a tablespoon of oil in a wok on high heat until it starts to smoke. Add the shrimp and cook for a minute before throwing in Chinese chives, garlic and ginger. Fry another minute or until the shrimp is barely cooked and the chives start wilting.
Move the contents of the wok onto a plate. Pour another tablespoon of oil into the pan, reducing the heat to medium when it begins smoking. Add the eggs, allowing 30 seconds for the bottom to set.
Scrape the eggs toward the pan’s center with a spatula. Once curds develop, return the shrimp and chives to the wok and stir. Serve while the eggs are still a little runny.
2. Brew a soothing tea
Ginger tea is a great choice whether you’re preparing for the day or enjoying a relaxing evening. This brew is even better when you use fresh ingredients instead of a tea bag. The Spruce provided a simple recipe for a hot, tasty beverage.
Peel and thinly slice at least two inches of ginger. The more you use and the thinner you cut it, the greater the flavor. Place the pieces in a pot with two cups of water and heat to a boil.
Continue boiling for 10 to 20 minutes, or even longer if you prefer. More time on the heat will result in stronger tea with a tangier flavor. When you’ve achieved the desired taste, remove from heat, adding lime juice and honey.
Ginger makes a great combination with flavors like garlic, onion or lime.3. Add spice to wings
Chicken wings flavored with ginger and honey make a fantastic snack, as demonstrated by the version suggested by Simply Recipes. Start by preparing a marinade, combining the grated ginger and honey with soy sauce, garlic and sriracha. Set half of the mixture aside to use as a sauce.
Toss chicken wing drumettes in the marinade. Place them, skin-side down, on a thick baking sheet that’s lined with foil and coated with canola oil. Roast in an oven set to 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
Turn the wings over and cook for another 10 minutes. When the wings are browned, transfer to a bowl and toss with the sauce. Top off with toasted sesame seeds and green onion.
