Don’t use a knife or a vegetable peeler! This is the way that even your kids can peel fresh ginger. Plus 3 new ideas for using up fresh ginger.

It’s Healthy Kitchen Hacks Wednesday – the day we share our favorite time-saving kitchen tricks and cooking shortcuts to help you make healthy and delicious meals.

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Now…onto today’s featured Healthy Kitchen Hack:

THE EASY WAY TO PEEL FRESH GINGER + 3 NEW WAYS TO USE IT

Fresh ginger is one of the most under-utilized flavor boosters in the supermarket. And it’s budget-friendly.

The problem is it can tend to go bad quickly.

Today’s trick for the easy way to peel fresh ginger will help you solve that peeling problem, plus how to store it to keep it from going bad.

First, buy a big chunk; it’s usually around $0.40/ounce. So a whole quarter pound chunk will cost less than $2!
As soon as you get home, give it a quick wash, dry and then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in the freezer.
When you need fresh ginger, remove from the freezer and set out for about 15 minutes.
Then, use a spoon to scrape the peel off the frosty ginger.

Even if I didn’t place my ginger in the freezer when I got home, I always place ginger in the freezer at least 10-15 minutes before peeling with a spoon. The above photo is of my 8-year old son. The trick works so well that kids can peel ginger for you!

Now, what to do with that big hunk of ginger you bought? Don't use a knife or a vegetable peeler! The Easy Way to Peel Fresh Ginger + 3 New Ways to Use It - via @TspCurry Click To Tweet

Here are 3 of my favorite new ways to use fresh ginger:

1. Ginger water – Now that the weather is warmer, I’m looking for ways to flavor the pitcher of water I *try* to keep in the fridge for the kids and I. Fresh ginger with orange or lime slices is my new favorite. It’s got a super refreshing bite. Or make these beverages:

Ginger Fizz – Deanna’s easy homemade ginger ale (with or without the lemongrass).
Gingered Pineapple Juice – is super refreshing
Ruby Rhubarb Ginger Cocktail – A cocktail (pictured below) may be your style

2. Fruit cobblers, pies, crisps or slumps – Ground ginger is oven added to the crust/topping of baked fruit desserts. But I like fresh minced ginger even better when mixed in with the fruit and some sugar:

Breakfast Peach Crisp for One – I used 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger, and short-cut the recipe by using canned peaches and cooking it in the microwave for only 2 minutes. #Instantgratification
Strawberry Rhubarb Slump – The combo was a winner: sweet strawberries, tart rhubarb and spicy 1-2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
Easy Free-Form Apple Pie – was amazing with 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

3. Vegetables – Lots of Asian veggie dishes use fresh ginger. But to perk up the flavor of any vegetable, add fresh ginger and a bit of salt, and that’s about it.

Coconut Ginger Braised Asparagus – My favorite way to eat asparagus. You could just use chicken stock or water, instead of coconut water.
Sesame Ginger Pickles – It’s “quick” pickling season! As in like 7 minutes to make these.

Do you have any favorite uses for fresh ginger? Let us know in comments below or tweet us or email us!