Many have heard about the benefits of using such spices as ginger in food. Ginger root is a real treasure, a storehouse of useful properties. But his peculiar tart taste is not liked by everyone. Unlike candied ginger.
However, the benefits of such a dessert are indisputable and many use the gifts of nature to resist the seasonal ailments. To make candied fruit, you need to choose a fresh root, with a smooth, light-colored skin. Young ginger produces less stinging candied fruit, and from the old - rather sharp.
What it is?
Externally candied fruits look like light yellow translucent slices covered with sugar crystalsThey are sold in stores, but they are also easily prepared at home.
Chemical composition
This delicacy consists of 80% ginger root, and sugar serves as a preservative and softens the taste.
100 grams of the finished product contain 3 grams of proteins, 0.4 grams of fat and 54.5 grams of carbohydrates, the energy value of about 215 kcal.
In the original product is stored a huge amount of nutrients., vitamins, macro-and micronutrients, including:
- vitamins C, PP, A, B1 and B2;
- potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium, manganese, silicon and iron;
- nicotinic, oleic and linoleic acids;
- phener-like component gingerol;
- cellulose.
Benefit and harm
It is very difficult to exaggerate the benefits of ginger candies.because they have the following beneficial properties:
- anti-inflammatory, warming, disinfecting and diaphoretic actions help fight upper respiratory infections and colds;
- strengthens the immune system;
- contributes to the revitalization of the digestive processes, increases the appetite, improves gastric secretion;
- acts as an antispasmodic;
- improves blood circulation;
- normalizes the hormonal system;
- slows the aging process;
- speeds up the metabolism, thereby contributing to weight loss;
- increases endurance;
- stops the development of cancer cells;
- stimulates sexual desire acting as an aphrodisiac.
Simultaneously because ginger root is a very rich plant, its use can be harmful:
- categorically contraindicated the use of any candied fruits, including ginger, with diabetes;
- irritant effect on the mucous membrane can provoke an exacerbation of gastric and duodenal ulcers;
- the stimulating effect of ginger will negatively affect the mobility of stones in diseases of the liver and kidneys, especially in gallstone and urolithiasis;
- use is contraindicated in any bleeding, as ginger can provoke an increase in their intensity;
- it is necessary to take into account the peculiarity of ginger to enhance the action of many medicines
- high enough calorie dangerous for obesity;
- Allergy-free product.
How to cook the product at home: step by step recipes
Based on personal preferences, abilities for cooking and the availability of free time, you can try to cook at home one of the following kinds of candied ginger.
Classical
For the preparation of classic candied fruit will need:
- 300 gr. ginger root;
- 1 cup of sugar;
- sugar for sprinkling.
The classic recipe involves a long cooking procedure. Here is the procedure.
- Ginger peeled and cut into thin slices or strips.
- Placed in an enamel bowl, pour water so that the slices are completely covered with liquid.
- Soaked for 3 days, while changing the water every 6 hours, it can significantly soften the taste.
- Cook on low heat for 20 minutes, then change the water and boil twice more for 20 minutes with the change of water, then recline in a colander.
- In another container, syrup is prepared: for this, sugar is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 0.5 and brought to a boil.
- Cooked ginger is placed in a syrup and cooked for 20 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Allow the mass to cool for several hours, after which the boiling and cooling procedure is repeated twice more.
- Ready-made candied fruits are transferred onto parchment or onto a special silicone mat, sprinkled with sugar on both sides.
- You can dry either in the open air during the day, or by placing in the oven for 30-40 minutes with a thermal regime of 40 degrees.
- The finished delicacy is stored in a jar with a tightly screwed lid.
It is very important that when preparing candied fruit syrup is not burnt, and all the slices were evenly covered with liquid.
Cinnamon
You can easily make changes to the classic recipe of ginger candied fruit. Spice lovers will surely appreciate the candied ginger candies with cinnamon. In addition to the ingredients required for the classic recipe, you will need ground cinnamon.
The following recipe:
- Peeled and chopped ginger boil for 30 minutes.
- Prepare a syrup of 1 cup of sugar and 0.5 glass of water, add 1 stick of cinnamon or half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the syrup.
- In this syrup, boiled ginger is cooked over a low heat for half an hour.
- Ready candied fruits are rolled in sugar and dried.
With honey
Those who want to reduce calories or just diversify a dish can use honey instead of sugar when preparing a syrup.
For cooking will need:
- ginger root - 200 grams;
- honey - 200 grams;
- water - 2.5 cups;
- powdered sugar for peeling candied fruit - 100 grams.
To cook candied ginger honey:
- Peel the ginger and cut it into thin slices.
- Pour them with 2 cups of water and cook for half an hour on low heat.
- Heat the remaining water and add honey to it, mix thoroughly so that a thick syrup is obtained, and if necessary add some more water.
- Place the pieces of ginger into the syrup and cook for half an hour over low heat.
- Remove the ginger, let it drip off the extra syrup, dry it in the oven, then roll in powdered sugar.
With citric acid
Fans of sour can add to the main ingredient list 1/4 tsp. Of citric acid. In this case, the recipe of cooking will be as follows.:
- Ginger is peeled, cut and boiled in water.
- Prepare the syrup, put ginger in it and boil for 30-40 minutes.
- Roll the finished candied fruits in a mixture of sugar and citric acid.
- Dried in the oven or in the open air.
Boiled with salt
For this recipe you will need:
- 2 large ginger roots;
- 250 grams of sugar;
- 1 teaspoon salt.
In order to diversify the taste of an already familiar dish, you can try the following method: when boiling ginger, add 1/4 teaspoon salt to water each time, and then follow the classic recipe.
How to make a quick recipe?
No less tasty candied fruits can be prepared using the same ingredients as for the classic recipe, but much faster, although they will have a more astringent taste.
- Peeled and chopped root is boiled in pure water for half an hour, then the water is drained.
- Sugar is poured into the container, half a glass of water is added and mixed.
- Cook over low heat while stirring continuously until almost all the liquid is absorbed and the slices become translucent.
- Ready-made candied fruits are coated in sugar and dried in the oven or in the air.
How to use with health benefits?
Such a rich delicacy as candied ginger should be eaten carefullyIn the case of unpleasant sensations and side effects, immediately exclude them from your diet.
It is necessary to use candied fruits for food in a small amount instead of sweets, in any case not to eat more than 200 grams of delicacy a day. Eating the product should be in small quantities throughout the day, do not eat ginger on an empty stomach. For the treatment of colds, you can simply dissolve in your mouth a slice of ginger instead of medicinal lollipops.
Despite the fact that ginger should be used in food with caution, you should not completely abandon such a wonderful product, because candied ginger has a unique original taste and many useful properties, and still able to pleasantly diversify the usual menu.