Lifestyle

How do I cook with fresh ginger

Fresh ginger

Question: I am not sure how to use fresh ginger in cooking. Should I peel it before using?

Ginger is a plant from tropical and subtropical regions. It is grown for its root, which is the part you buy in the shop.

Much of the flavour of ginger is just under the skin, so if you an avoid peeling it before using then that is better. The best way to do so is to scrape the skin with a teaspoon rather than using a vegetable peeler (however, you may find using a peeler is easier).

Ginger can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes and goes well with a number of other flavours. It is fantastic with white fish, in Asian recipes and stir-fries, as well as steeped in boiling water to make a soothing tea.

Thinly scrape off the outer skin then grate, or cut into matchstick-size pieces, for a more intense flavour. Only a little is required, usually a 2cm or 3cm piece, grated, is enough ginger for a recipe

Ground ginger, also known as powdered ginger, is used as a flavouring in cakes, pies and puddings but cannot be substituted for ginger.

Related stories

Perfect boiled eggs every time
Lifestyle

Perfect boiled eggs every time

Question: I have tried numerous different ways to boil eggs, but each time the yolk is either too hard or the white is undercooked, and it is not until you cut open the egg that you know! Please can you tell me how I should boil eggs to achieve a nice runny yolk to dip […]

Using lemongrass
Lifestyle

Using lemongrass

Question Which part of the lemon grass do you use or do you use all of it? Answer A tall, clumping, sharp-edged aromatic tropical grass that both smells and tastes of lemon, lemon grass comes by its English name naturally. It arrived in our kitchens by way of Southeast Asia, where it is an essential […]