Here’s a simple and natural, two-ingredient recipe to help you combat the upcoming cold and flu season, as well as to help relieve your aching muscles and joints, and basically just give your immune system a slight boost! It’s called golden honey, and it’s basically raw honey that’s infused with ground turmeric. It’s super easy to whip up and super good for you to boot!
My instructor, Chef Camila showed us this simple recipe for golden honey the other day during our class demo, and I being the spaz that I am, immediately went home and made up a batch. I ate a teaspoon (or two) after dinner as my little post dinner sweet, and then woke up the next morning and heated up some water (not boiling) added a teaspoon of this golden honey mixture along with the juice of 1/2 a lemon, pinch of fresh ginger and some freshly ground black pepper (black pepper makes the effects of turmeric more potent, as well as enhances the absorption and the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric) and savored every sip. I also brought the leftovers to school for my peeps to enjoy with their morning cup of herbal tea, because you all know how much I love to share!
So, before I show you the actual very complicated recipe, ( 😉 ) I wanted to share with you a few of the heath benefits of Turmeric.
- It has amazing natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-boosting properties.
- It’s as potent as ibuprofen, and better for the stomach than taking ibuprofen in pill form.
- It helps with stomach aliments. It can tame heartburn and an upset stomach.
- Helps with decongesting the liver, dissolving uterine tumors, cysts and gallstones.
- It supports the kidney.
- It helps aid with digestion.
- It destroys bacteria that cause disease, and it promotes the body’s natural defenses.
- It’s a great source of beta-carotene.
- It strengthens the nervous system.
- It’s even been said that turmeric may reduce the risk of cancer and tumor growth and Alzheimer’s disease.
You can do a google search and see all of the health benefits of adding turmeric to your diet, but the above benefits are reasons enough to get me started on adding more turmeric into my diet.
- ¼ cup raw honey - I love using raw local honey, as it helps with seasonal allergies, as well as supporting local bee keepers.
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric - you can also use fresh turmeric (looks like ginger). Just peel and finely grate it. You will need 3x the amount of fresh turmeric as dried, so add this to taste.
- Using a dry measuring cup, measure out ¼ cup of honey.
- Using a spatula, scrape out the honey into a small glass jar or container that has a lid.
- Add 1 teaspoon ground turmeric to the honey. Like I said above, you can also use fresh turmeric. Just peel and finely grate it. You will need 3x the amount of fresh turmeric as dried, so add this to taste.
- Mix well, cover, and store at room temperature.
- Just give the honey mixture a quick stir before using each time.
Here are some ways to enjoy this golden honey:
- Enjoy it as is, by the spoonful. When you get the first systems of a cold or flu, take 1 teaspoon of this honey mixture every couple of hours, as it will help to combat the illness. Hey, why not add a pinch of pepper, or a pepper corn or two to make the effects even better!
- Heat up some water (not boiling) add a teaspoon of this golden honey mixture along with the juice of 1/2 a lemon, pinch of fresh ginger (or powdered ginger) and some freshly ground black pepper (black pepper makes the effects of turmeric more potent, as well as enhances the absorption and the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric). Make this drink to taste, if you don’t like ginger then omit the ginger, if you’re not a fan of lemon, then omit the lemon.
- Heat up some water, (not boiling) add a teaspoon of the golden honey mixture, and stir to combine. This is my kids favorite way to enjoy it.
- Add 1 teaspoon of the golden honey mixture to your favorite tea blend, or to some warm coconut, almond or regular milk.
If you make this up, let me know what you think and let me know your favorite way to enjoy it!
Oh, and I have some interesting news to share with you all about almonds, as well salt! I will be posting that info soon!
I also have some yummy, easy recipes in the works (I just have to re-make them, so I can photograph them) such as;
- Easy baked brown basmati rice (comes out perfect every time).
- Roasting fall vegetables 101. How to best roast fall vegetables, and then a bonus pizza recipe that incorporates the fall vegetables. I make these vegetables weekly in the fall, and then have them cold for lunch, toss them in a salad, scrambled eggs, or on top of a pizza.
- I’m also working on a healthy fall snack that uses seasonal walnuts and fresh sage, which makes for a wonderful Thanksgiving appetizer.
What do you all want to see next? Which post/recipe excites you? You get to help pick, so let me know and I’ll get working on that recipe next!
xoxo, Jacquelyn, Aka: natural chef in the making 😉
How long would the shelf life be if you use fresh turmeric?
Hi Susan. I think it would last a week to 2 weeks? This doesn’t make a big batch, so I usually use it all within a week.
I stumbled upon this post while looking for your popover recipes which i have made in the past(love them!!!)
While researching turmeric last year i came across an article that stated much of what you have here. Only difference was that as well as black pepper you should add a fat for the turmeric to be fully absorbed and beneficial. i make a dry mix of turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamon and add the fresh ginger lemon and honey when making a mug. last i top off with coconut oil.
making this right now for my daughter! and the rest of the family.. thanks for thinking of me! xx
Yay Pamela! I hope you and your daughter love it! I’m making a fresh batch here myself as it’s finally cold and rainy here! Yay! xoxo, Jacquelyn
Hi Jackie,
I love the golden honey tea! It’s so warming and will be made often in these next few months!
I also live in Marin, and have been enjoying your blog for about two years. I think it’s so great that you followed your passion and enrolled in Berkeley’s Natural Chef program. Your energy is inspiring! I also love that you are sharing all of the great recipes and tips you are learning. Thank you for this!
Best,
Susan
Hi Susan! Thanks so much for your super sweet comment! I’m so happy to hear that you’re loving the blog and have been a reader for the past 2 years. Thanks so much for sticking around! It’s also super cool that you live in Marin, so if you see me out and about, please say “hi!” I really love meeting readers in person! It makes this whole internet virtual world seem a bit smaller 🙂 Have a wonderful week and enjoy this honey! We finally have some winter-like weather to enjoy some hot tea! Yay! xoxo, Jacquelyn
I began following your Instagram and continued to your blog. I just want you to know how much I enjoy your posts and following your journey. And, of course your recipes are delicious-with a few vegan tweaks to accommodate my diet. Well done, well done.
~Sandra
Hi Sandra! Awww… you’re so sweet and I’m so glad we found each other via Instagram. That is still my favorite form of social media! LOVE IT! I’m so happy to hear that you love the posts and recipes and I will be sure to post a few vegan recipes here and there for you to enjoy! Take care and thanks so much for saying hi! xoxo, Jacquelyn
I am so excited to see what you’ll be posting now that you are a natural chef in training. I would love love love to be doing that, so just know that I’ll be living vicariously through you for a bit! 🙂 Can’t wait to try all these delicious healthy recipes!
Hi Angela! I’m SO loving school and I can’t wait to keep sharing all of my knowledge with you all! I just made this super easy nori seaweed and sesame seed condiment today. It took me all of 5 minutes, and it’s the perfect thing to top on pasta, eggs, avocado toast, salads, popcorn, noodles, you name it. it’s super salty and crunchy! I’m laughing because seaweed was definitely not something I ever thought I would have in my kitchen nor want to eat. It’s interesting how I’m changing my attitude towards certain foods after just 1 month of school! xoxo, Jacquelyn
What a brilliant idea. I’ve been taking the pills, this sounds better and cheaper to me. Keep sharing the ideas.
Will do Chantall! I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying them 🙂
Thanks for the golden honey…..how about a honey that has the turmeric, ground pepper and ginger…all three…added? What amounts of pepper and ginger (dry) would you add? Thanks!
Hi Elaine! You could add all of the three spices at once, but I’m not sure how great the combination would be after sitting for a few days, but give it a try if you want. The amount of pepper and ginger you add would be to taste really, as everyone has a different tolerance to ginger and pepper. I find a small amount of ginger goes a long way and the same with pepper. I always just add them to taste in my tea or lemon/honey water. Let me know if you end up adding all three to the honey and how it tastes! Thanks Elaine 🙂