Ginger is the root of the plant Zingiber officinale, which is native to South Asia but is now also cultivated in East Africa and the Caribbean.

The root has long been used in Indian, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine; for drinks in Jamaica, Greece, and the Caribbean; and in traditional Burmese medicine.

The Burmese just might be onto something! Recent research has found that compounds found in ginger root may improve digestion, protect against free radicals, reduce inflammation in the colon, and ease post-exercise muscle pain.

In Western cooking and baking, ginger is perhaps best known for its role in treats like gingersnaps and gingerbread. But this anti-inflammatory spice is as versatile as it is healthy.

Although it tastes amazing in cookies, cakes and breads, ginger also makes an excellent addition to juices, smoothies, stir fries, dressings, and marinades. We’ve put together 10 of our favorite ginger recipes, ranging from salads and smoothies to cookies and pies. Ready to try one? Be sure to let us know how they turn out in the comments section below!

1. Raw Gingersnap Cookies

Recipe by Emily von Euw: Blogger, This Rawsome Vegan Life
(yield: 1 dozen cookies)

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups raw flour (grind raw rye berries or oat groats into flour in your blender) OR almond flour
• 1 1/2 cups dates or raisins
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons of fresh, peeled ginger
• 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
• 1 tablespoon unsulphered molasses
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• raw sugar to garnish

Preparation:

1. Blend all ingredients together in your food processor until it forms into a delicious ginger-cinnamon ball of raw goodness.
2. Stick this in a bowl in the fridge for an hour and then shape it into as many little balls as you desire.
3. Put these on wax paper and sprinkle on raw sugar.
4. Stamp each one down with the bottom of a jar.
5. Refrigerate overnight or at least for a few hours, then eat. Mmm.
6. Another option is to dehydrate for a few hours so they actually “snap”.

More ginger recipes next…

2. Curried Carrot Ginger and Orange Soup

3. Gingery Maple Glazed Tempeh on Baby Greens

4. Asian Slaw Salad with Miso Ginger Dressing

5. Pan Fried Tofu Tossed with Ginger, Spinach and Mushrooms

6. Coconut Ginger Smoothie

7. Green Ginger Super Smoothie

8. Chamomile Ginger Lemon Raw Energy Bars

9. Spicy Gingerbread Cake

10. Classic Vegan Gingerbread Bundt Cake

If you loved these recommendations, you can browse through even more recipe features here!

What’s your favorite way to use ginger? Send in your favorite recipe!