The market · Roots and tubers · Southeast Asia, South Asia
Fresh turmeric
The root itself, orange inside and brighter, more gingery and less dusty than the powder — the base of many Indonesian and Malaysian spice pastes.
earthy · bright · gingery
What to do with it
Rosa Ibarra's Clarified milk punch, mezcal and pineappleFresh turmeric would temper its sweetnessKenji Hara's Milk punch, with hojichaFresh turmeric would temper its sweetness
JavaneseSoto ayamA clear chicken broth, yellow with turmeric, poured over shredded chicken, glass noodles, bean sprouts and egg, with lime, sambal and fried shallots.No one here has made it yetSundanesePepes ikanFish rubbed with a yellow spice paste, wrapped in banana leaf with lemon basil, tomato and chilli, then steamed and grilled.No one here has made it yetSundaneseEmpal gentongBeef and offal stewed in a spiced coconut broth in a clay pot over a wood fire, with rice or lontong and dried chilli to sprinkle.No one here has made it yetBalineseBabi gulingA whole young pig stuffed with base genep and greens, rubbed with turmeric and spit-roasted over wood until the skin shatters.No one here has made it yetBalineseBebek betutuA whole duck or chicken stuffed and smothered with base genep, wrapped and cooked slowly in embers until it falls apart.No one here has made it yetBalineseLawarFinely chopped meat, vegetables and grated coconut, mixed with base genep and lime — made fresh for ceremonies and eaten the same day.No one here has made it yetBalineseSate lilitMinced fish or pork mixed with grated coconut, base genep and lime leaf, pressed around lemongrass or flat bamboo and grilled.No one here has made it yetBalineseBase genepThe complete Balinese spice paste: shallot, garlic, four rhizomes, chilli, candlenut, shrimp paste and warm spices, ground together.No one here has made it yetBalineseIkan bakar JimbaranWhole fish split, brushed with a spice paste and kecap manis, and grilled over coconut husks, with sambal and rice.No one here has made it yetMinahasanIkan wokuFish cooked in a yellow paste of turmeric, chilli and candlenut with a great handful of fresh leaves — lemon basil, lemongrass, pandan, lime leaf.No one here has made it yetMinahasanTinoransakPork packed into green bamboo with chilli, ginger, lemongrass and lemon basil, and cooked in the flames.No one here has made it yet
If you can't find it
Asian and Indian grocers, beside the ginger.
- A teaspoon of ground for each tablespoon gratedYou lose the bright, carroty freshness; ground is earthier and dustier.Gets some back a little extra ginger.
Goes with
Knowing it
- Where to buy
- Southeast Asian and Indian grocers; firm, plump fingers with taut skin. It freezes well whole.
- Worth knowing
- It stains everything. Wear gloves to peel and grate it, and use a board you don't mind turning yellow.
