I love using Crystallized Ginger although many of you may not have heard of it or know how to use these dried slices of sugar coated ginger root.
Well last night I received an email from Hazel of www.Friedas.com who wanted to pass on some information about the Crystalized Ginger that I thought I'd share with you, especially during one of the most perfect seasons to use it. Here's what she had to say:
Sweet & Spicy: 10 Ways to Use Crystallized Ginger
Frieda's Crystallized Ginger a Holiday Favorite.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA – You’ve probably passed by this item thousands of times in your supermarket’s produce department or baking aisle. Crystallized Ginger – dried slices of natural ginger root, cured and coated in sugar. It sure sounds nice, but what do you use it for? Frieda’s Specialty Produce offers 10 great ideas for putting this sweet, spicy and comforting ingredient to work in your kitchen:
1. Chop and add to batter for cookies, such as ginger snaps, or quick breads like gingerbread, orange bread or banana bread.
2. Melt butter with diced Crystallized Ginger, fresh lemon juice and sliced green onions in a saucepan. Spoon over hot rice and serve with chicken or fish.
3. Sprinkle finely chopped pieces as a finishing touch on apple pie a la mode or a whipped cream-topped brownie.
4. Combine diced Crystallized Ginger with nuts, brown sugar and spices for a baked apple or pear filling.
5. Add chunks to a stir-fry for a sweet and spicy bite.
6. Dip Crystallized Ginger pieces in melted chocolate. Let cool and serve as a special after dinner treat.
7. Add to water and sugar mixture to make ginger-infused simple syrup. Strain before adding to drinks, such as iced tea.
8. Sprinkle diced Crystallized Ginger into fruit salad for a spicy, zesty flavor lift.
9. Add to a homemade cranberry sauce with orange zest.
10. Or, just snack on this sweet treat right out of the package. Crystallized Ginger is especially helpful for calming the stomach while traveling.
(Note: Look for Frieda’s Crystallized Ginger in the produce department.)
Here are three simple sauce recipes for Frieda’s Crystallized Ginger:
Crystallized Ginger Sauce Variations
Oriental Rice with Ginger Sauce:
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
4 green onions
2 tbsp. Crystallized Ginger, chopped
3 cups steamed white rice
Melt butter or margarine in a skillet; add chopped green onions, including tops. On medium heat, cook 2 minutes and add crystallized ginger. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring often. Add to rice and toss lightly.
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Sherry-Ginger Carrots
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
2 cups carrots, sliced
2 tbsp. Crystallized Ginger, chopped
1 tbsp. sherry
Melt butter or margarine in a heavy skillet or saucepan. Add carrots and crystallized ginger. Cover and cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes making sure not to overcook. Add sherry, stir, and serve.
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Exotic Sundae with Ginger Sauce
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup Crystallized Ginger, chopped
1/2 cup cream
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Ice cream or pound cake
Mix corn syrup, crystallized ginger, and 1/4 cup of the cream in a saucepan; simmer for 5 minutes. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup of cream. Heat through but do not boil. Remove from heat and stir in butter or margarine and vanilla. Serve warm or cold over ice cream or pound cake.
Source: Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s is passionate about changing the way America eats. Founded in 1962 by Frieda Caplan, Frieda's, Inc. was the first wholesale produce company in the U.S. to be founded, owned and operated by a woman. Once a small produce stand at the Los Angeles Produce Market, Frieda's has emerged as the nation's premier marketer and distributor of specialty produce and now offers more than 600 specialty items to grocery stores and foodservice distributors throughout the U.S. and Canada. America has Frieda’s to thank for introductions to Kiwifruit, Shallots, Cherimoyas, Donut® Peaches, Sugar Snap™ Peas and Habanero Peppers and the innovations just keep coming.
So the next time you're at the grocery store why not pick up some Crystallized Ginger. It will add a new dimension to your recipes!
