7 Ways With Ginger

Updated October 30, 2007

Powdered, fresh or crystallized with sugar, this knobby tropical root lends a distinct peppery bite to savory dishes and desserts.

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Root for Flavor

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Ana Kelly, Mindi Shapiro

Long revered as a medicinal remedy, ginger is used in some cultures to relieve nausea and upset stomachs, and features in many types of dishes. This pungent root comes in many forms—fresh, crystallized, and ground—but they all add a special flavor to everything from cookies to soups.

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Hot Cranberry-Ginger Punch

Credit: James Carrier

Hot Cranberry-Ginger Punch Recipe

Fresh minced ginger simmers with cranberry juice to build an underlying base for this sweet-spicy brew that's perfect for cold winter nights. Lime juice and sugar are then stirred in to add a tart-sweet note that brightens flavor.

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Ginger Crinkles

Credit: BECKY LUIGART-STAYNER

Ginger Crinkles Recipe

Flavored with both ground and crystallized ginger these spicy little cookies are bound to disappear fast. If you don't have crystallized ginger, check out the guidelines for substituting powdered ginger.

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Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake

Credit: Monica Buck

Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake Recipe

Not your typical upside down cake, this one showcases a deeply spiced cake rich with ground ginger, cinnamon, and molasses. Delicate Bosc pears melt into a mixture of sugar, butter, and sweet crystallized ginger to make a glorious cake top.

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Romaine Salad with Mandarins and Asian Dressing

Credit: James Carrier

Romaine Salad with Mandarins and Asian Dressing Recipe

Sesame oil and rice wine vinegar help soften the pungent flavor of ground ginger and mustard to make a stand-out vinaigrette for this simple side salad. Fresh or canned mandarin oranges and buttery slices of avocado add contrasting color and flavor.

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Ginger-Garlic Shrimp

Credit: Dan Goldberg

Ginger-Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Possibly one the fastest meals on the planet, this seven-ingredient stir fry uses minced fresh ginger, minced garlic, and chopped green onions to punch up the flavor of shrimp. Serve it over cooked rice, rice noodles or soba.

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Braised Grouper with Ginger, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Chiles

Credit: Leigh Beisch

Braised Grouper with Ginger, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Chiles Recipe

In just 30 minutes, grouper simmers in a broth laced with minced fresh ginger, chilies and Asian vegetables to build a soul-satisfying one-bowl dinner. If you can't find grouper, use another firm white fish such as cod, halibut or tilapia.

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Spiced Pumpkin Soup with Ginger Browned Butter

Credit: Annabelle Breakey

Spiced Pumpkin Soup with Ginger Browned Butter Recipe

Caramelized onions and sautéed ginger help round out the sweetness of pumpkin in this long simmering soup. Pie spices (ground ginger, cloves, nutmeg and cardamom), and a finishing touch of melted brown ginger butter, elevate flavor another notch.

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How-To Video: Fresh Ginger

Watch this video and see how to mince and grate fresh ginger.

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