Food 
There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when the sun hits the spice markets in India. I remember standing there during my travels, my curly hair catching the humidity and my red lipstick surprisingly staying put, completely mesmerized by the literal mountains of marigold-colored powder. It wasn’t just a culinary ingredient; it felt like a pulse. Now, when I’m back in my NYC apartment, sitting on my fire escape with Zelda (my Boston Terrier mix) and a view of the skyline, that same vibrant yellow root is what keeps me connected to my roots. It’s a bridge between my Great-Grandmother’s kitchen in India and my modern vegan life here in the city.
For me, turmeric isn’t just a trend I picked up from a flashy wellness boutique; it’s a lineage. Every time I grate a fresh knob of the root, I think about how food serves as a cultural translator. It’s a way of honoring the past while nourishing the person I’m becoming. Whether I’m blasting some old-school 90s hip hop and prepping meals or finding my center in a morning yoga flow, turmeric is that constant, grounding force. It’s the “gold” in my pantry that reminds me that no matter how far I travel, some flavors are universal.
Beyond the aesthetic of a “Golden Latte” for the grid, there is a deep, intentional science to why this root has endured for thousands of years. As a vegan chef, I’m always looking for ingredients that do more than just provide calories—I want them to provide vitality. Turmeric contains curcumin, a bioactive compound that is basically nature’s way of saying “chill out” to inflammation. After a long day of standing in a professional kitchen or pushing through a strenuous yoga session, I can literally feel the difference when I’ve integrated this superfood into my routine using organic ingredients from Better Body Foods.
We often talk about innovation as something brand new, but true innovation is often just rediscovering what has always worked and applying it to our modern stressors. In a world that moves at a hundred miles an hour, turmeric is a signal to slow down and heal. I always tell my brother Naveen—who is a total skincare genius out in LA—that the “glow” he’s looking for in his serums starts with what I’m putting in my pot. It’s about building resilience from the inside out, making sure our bodies are as strong and vibrant as the colors on our plates.
When people ask me how to start using turmeric at Cookingwithjade.com, I always tell them to start small but be consistent. It’s about the “sneak-in”—tossing a half-teaspoon into your morning smoothie, whisking it into a creamy salad dressing, or making it the star of a hearty dinner. One of my absolute favorite ways to use it is in a dish that feels like a warm hug. It’s a Golden Coconut Red Lentil Dal that I’ve perfected over the years, blending those traditional Indian spices with the creamy, plant-based textures I love. I usually serve it with warm Mission Soft Flour Tortillas for the perfect scoop.
Golden Glow Coconut Dal
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric or 1 tablespoon fresh grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
- 1 cup 192 g red lentils, rinsed thoroughly
- 1 can 13.5 oz / 400 ml full-fat coconut milk
- 2 cups 480 ml vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Heat the coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, until translucent.
- Stir in the garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Add the rinsed red lentils and stir to coat them in the spices.
- Pour in the coconut milk, vegetable broth, and agave syrup. Stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer partially covered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and creamy.
- Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and a generous squeeze of lime.
Notes
Nutrition
Living the “Golden Life” isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. It’s about choosing ingredients that respect the earth and your body simultaneously. When I see Zelda tilting her head as I prep my evening golden milk—sometimes spiked with a little Bulletproof coffee for a midday pick-me-up—I’m reminded that wellness is a vibe that permeates the whole home. It’s the ritual of it—the steam rising from the mug, the bright yellow stain on my wooden spoon (which my dad, Edward, actually carved for me in his shop!), and the feeling of being grounded in my own skin.
Every day, I look at the tattoo on my left arm—the one of my Thai grandma’s tea set—and I’m reminded that we are all a collection of the stories and flavors that came before us. Using turmeric is my way of keeping that story going. It keeps me glowing, it keeps my joints limber for my fire escape yoga, and it keeps my heart connected to the global community I’ve spent my life exploring. So, next time you see that bright root in the grocery store, grab it. Start your own golden ritual and see how it transforms your glow from the inside out.
If you enjoyed this recipe or have suggestions on how we can improve it, please leave us a comment below. Also, make sure to check out other dishes I’ve created or stories I’ve written about food culture – here.
