About the beneficial properties of ginger almost legendary. And the variations of its use have long gained popularity among both culinary professionals and among people leading a healthy lifestyle.
Surprisingly, there are also sweet tooths among them. And they manage to make such a sweet treat out of a raw, bitter root, which reduces teeth to joy and health.
But how is candied ginger useful? About all the pros and cons, as well as some cooking recipes, we describe in this article.
The chemical composition of candied root
Taking care of health, many people prefer dried fruits and candied fruits instead of the usual sweets. In candied pieces of fruit, the ratio of taste and benefits at the level of. However, ginger is not a fruit, but a strange, bizarre root. But candied fruits are no worse than fruit ones. This is an extraordinary delicacy with a burning, but nonetheless softer and sweeter flavor, unlike fresh ginger.
The energy value of this candied root crop depends on how much sugar was used in the preparation, but the average caloric content is about 216 kcal per 100 grams.
Macro elements here are distributed as follows.:
- proteins - 3 g;
- fats - 0.4 g;
- carbohydrates - 54.5 g
The rest of the product contains various vitamins and essential substances.:
- B vitamins, as well as C, E and K;
- vitamin PP (nicotinic acid);
- trace elements - copper, zinc;
- macronutrients - magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, calcium.
What is useful and does it harm?
As you know, a large intake of sugar is not beneficial. However, in this case, when it is used as a preservative for the preparation of candied ginger, sugar is not as harmful as in its pure form. In addition, this delicacy does not eat much - its sweet, but spicy and burning taste will not allow it. But candied ginger will be an excellent substitute for candy.
Of course, candied ginger is slightly inferior in its benefits to fresh, but still has an extensive list of healing properties. If we talk about them in detail, this is:
- Normalization of cholesterol levels.
- Help in getting rid of stress and ensuring the full work of the brain and memory.
- Metabolic regulation and effective work in case of disorders of the digestive system, such as nausea and indigestion.
- Cleansing the blood, strengthening blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
- Lowering body temperature during inflammatory processes in the body and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
- The maintenance of normal all redox processes in muscle tissue and the promotion of the active growth of new cells.
- Normalization of water-salt metabolism, the removal of excess fluid from the body and the elimination of cardiac and renal edema.
- Improving the condition of the skin, hair and nails.
- Protection of immunity, guarantee of cheerfulness and excellent mood.
Here it is worth noting that the incomparable advantage of these candied “petals” is naturalness and the complete absence of chemical compounds. Consumption of candied ginger provides uninterrupted digestion and regular stools..
However, like any other sweets, it is necessary to eat the root in moderate quantities in order to get the benefit from the use of candied dried product, and not to harm the figure or the internal organs. For example, unlimited consumption of ginger in sugar can lead to the following troubles:
- weight gain;
- heartburn;
- diarrhea;
- irritation of the gastric mucosa (in rare cases);
- allergy.
Sugared ginger has not only useful properties, but also certain contraindications.
- It is strictly forbidden to eat to people suffering from diabetes.
- In the presence of diseases such as duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer, it is also not recommended to consume it, because the components contained in it expose the mucous membrane to irritation and only increase inflammation.
- Such a treat is also harmful to those who are diagnosed with urolithiasis - there is a risk that the stimulating effect of ginger will cause the movement of stones.
The choice of product for cooking
In the supermarket, this product is visible - you can pick up, inspect and touch. Do not hesitate to do this, because the quality of ginger will affect health. In the selection of the root will help his appearance. A smooth surface with a light golden skin, where there are no injuries and fresh sprouts - this is what a healthy root looks like.
How to make at home?
Candied ginger, cooked by yourself, will be better than the store for two reasons. First, the conditions in which the cooking will take place can be controlled personally, and secondly, it is possible to adjust the amount of sugar. And let as a result the pale yellow candied slices will not be distinguished by presentability, but their use is invaluable.
Classic recipe
This method does not differ culinary delights, but surprises with its spicy and sweet taste. Ginger cooked according to this recipe, taste delicious with tea or coffee.
Ingredients:
ginger root - 200 g;- sugar - 6 tbsp. l .;
- water - 3 tbsp. l .;
- powdered sugar - 2 tbsp. l (for sprinkling).
ginger root - 200 g;Cooking stages:
- Wash the root, peel and cut into thin slices.
- Put them in a saucepan and, pour water so that it slightly covers the resulting slices, put on the stove.
- Cook until tender, about 30 min.
- After this time, pour all the liquid from the pan, and sprinkle the boiled pieces of ginger root with sugar and add 3 tbsp. l water.
- Return the saucepan with ginger to the stove again, where to boil, stirring, over high heat until sweet water becomes a sticky syrup.
- Slices carefully remove, then roll in powdered sugar and put on parchment paper for further drying for several hours.
The finished treat should be placed in a jar with a lid. Use before the expiry date, a length of 3 months.
With dry ginger powder
The burning taste of ginger can not be killed in any way, and in combination with its gastronomic counterpart in the form of dry powder, it will become even more savory. Such a delicacy, as they say, is an amateur, but in the period of colds - the very thing.
Ingredients:
- ginger root - 250 g;
- ground ginger (in powder) - 1 tsp;
- sugar - 8 tbsp. l (for syrup) and 2 tbsp. l (for sprinkling);
- water - 4 tbsp. l
Cooking stages:
- Wash the ginger root, peel it and cut it into small pieces.
- Send them to a saucepan with a thick bottom and pour some water so that it covers the ginger completely.
- Send to the stove and cook for 30 minutes over low heat.
- After the time has elapsed, drain the water from the saucepan and pour sugar, ground ginger into the soft slices of the root crop and add 4 tbsp. l water.
- Return to the stove, where boil until the syrup thickens, as for jam.
- Remove the pieces of ginger from the syrup, roll in sugar and put on a baking sheet, covered with parchment paper, and then send to the oven. It should be dried there for 20 minutes at a temperature of 160ºС.
Ready candied fruits should be stored in a glass jar for no more than 3 months.
With lemon
Candied ginger with citric acid can be added to baked goods, and you can eat just like that, with tea - this is much more useful than confectionery sweets. In any case, the evening with such a treat will be truly warming.
Ingredients:
- ginger - 200 g;
- lemon - ½ pcs .;
- water - 5 tbsp. l .;
- sugar - 10 tbsp. l
Cooking stages:
- Peel the ginger and cut into thin slices.
- Put the pieces of root vegetables in a saucepan, add water and cook for 20 minutes to eliminate bitterness.
- After the allotted time, drain the broth, and sprinkle the slices of the root crop with sugar and add water (5 tbsp.).
- 5 minutes after boiling the syrup add to the ginger sliced lemon peel, taken from half of the citrus. And cook everything until the syrup is completely absorbed into the slices of the root, and the lemon crust becomes transparent.
- Put the candied fruits on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and dry them in the oven at 160 ° C for 30 minutes.
Storage conditions are the same as in previous recipes.
Slimming
The preparation of candied ginger in this recipe is almost the same as the classic one, except that instead of sugar, its substitute is used. In this case, fructose. To reduce the caloric content to a minimum, it is advisable to take erythritol or stevia powder in an equivalent amount.
Ingredients:
- ginger root - 200 g;
- fructose - 6 tbsp. l .;
- water - 3 tbsp. l
On the stages of cooking in this recipe, you can say the same thing as in the classic. Everything is the same, but at the moment where the classic recipe requires the presence of sugar, fructose or another favorite sweetener replaces it.
It is not recommended to use honey as a sugar substitute, because when it is heated it loses its healing properties.
When and how to use?
This treat is best consumed during the cold season.. You can drink tea or snack with him, when you want something sweet to warm up and relax. In case of sore throat, for example, it will not be superfluous to thoroughly chew a slice of candied root to get rid of sore throat. It is also recommended to put a few pieces of treats directly into the mug of tea.
During weight loss, it is allowed to eat a couple of slices of spicy sweetness in order to fight off the feeling of hunger. And this should be done in the morning, of course, before lunch. It will lift your spirits and suppress your appetite, which will allow you to eat less.
Special with candied ginger good homemade cakes - buns, casseroles, muffins. The dough will require no more than one handful of its sugar "petals". Such a fragrant yummy will not harm if consumed in a reasonable quantity, but only will benefit both moral and physical health.
You can talk about the benefits of ginger for a long time. But why bother talking? After all, you can include this root vegetable in candied form in the diet tomorrow, in order to soon feel all its favorable properties. So why not try? Ginger in sugar will give the body not only warmth that warms from the inside, but also energy that beats over the edge.
