Ginger contains a number of therapeutic benefits such as anti-inflammatory effects and relieving gastrointestinal disorders. However, ginger should be avoided in some conditions. Many recipes can give you a healthy dose of ginger in a delicious way.

Ginger Benefits

Ginger is a root that be used in many different ways. It can be an ingredient in cooking or in drinks. It can even be used as a food preservative and has been used for centuries as a medicine.

Cautions for Eating Ginger

Side Effects of Ginger

• Ginger can interact with certain medicines.
• Never take more than four grams of ginger a day
• Possible side effects might be gas, heartburn, nausea and bloating.

When to Avoid Ginger

• Never give ginger to a child younger than two.
• Talk to a doctor before taking ginger, as it will interact with other medicines.
• If you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, do not take ginger.

Ginger Recipes

Ginger Ale

Ingredients

• Fresh ginger, about 10 oz, peeled and coarsely chopped
• Lemon peel, 3 strips of about 4” each, only the yellow part
• 1 ½ Cup of sugar
• Chilled club soda, about 3 quarts
• Ice

Directions

1. Using a 4-quart saucepan, bring 4 cups of water, the ginger, and the lemon peel to a boil. For about 10 minutes, simmer uncovered. While stirring, add the sugar and continue to boil and stir about 15 minutes.
2. Pour mixture through a strainer and throw away the lemon peel. The ginger pieces can be used in other recipes, if you want.
3. Let the syrup cool and pour into a glass container. Cover it tightly and chill about an hour. It can be kept up to a week.
4. Mix ¼ cup ginger syrup with one cup of club soda and pour on ice.

Here is a video to give you an example.

Ginger Cake

Ingredients

• Butter to coat the baking pan
• Flour, 2 cups
• Cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon
• Ground Cloves, ½ teaspoon
• Black Pepper, ½ teaspoon
• Salt, ½ teaspoon
• Light molasses, ¾ cup
• Vegetable oil, ¾ cup
• Sugar, ¾ cup
• Water, ¾ cup
• Baking Soda, 1 ½ teaspoons
• Fresh Ginger, ½ cup, peeled and minced, packed tightly
• Eggs, 2, room temperature
• Powdered sugar or whipped cream, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat round cake pan with flour.
2. Using a medium bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk sugar, oil and molasses until smooth.
4. Bring water to boil in a large saucepan. Stir in baking soda, then molasses mixture until combined. Take from heat. Stir ginger into the molasses mixture.
5. Whisk small amounts of dry ingredients into batter. Using rubber spatula, add the eggs. Pour the batter into the pan.
6. Bake about 45 minutes until a toothpick inserted will come out clean.
7. The cake can be dusted with powdered sugar or served with whipped cream.

Here is a video to give you an example.

Candied Ginger

Ingredients

• Ginger root, one pound, fresh
• Water, 5 cups
• Sugar, about 1 pound
• Nonstick spray

Directions

1. Use nonstick spray to coat a cooling rack then place in a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
2. Using a mandoline, slice the peeled ginger in 1/8” slices. Put into a saucepan with the water over medium-high heat. Cook 35 minutes, covered, until the ginger is tender.
3. Drain the ginger, keeping ¼ cup of the liquid. After weighing the ginger, measure out the same amount of sugar. Put the ginger and ¼ cup water in the saucepan and add in the sugar. Bring to boil and reduce heat. Stir until the sugar looks dry, around 20 minutes. Put the ginger on the cooling rack and separate the individual pieces. When it is cool, it can be stored in an airtight container for two weeks.
4. Save any sugar that drops between the racks to use for toppings on cookies or ice cream.

Here is a video to give you an example.