How do you use ginger?

Question

I just boiled a pot full of ginger for an hour, according to the directions for a recipe for home made ginger ale. I think I'm supposed to now use the water for a syrup. Any ideas how to use the boiled ginger? It still tastes pretty strong. I hate to throw it out.

Answer 1

Add some sugar to it and use it for ginger tea

Answer 2

I would just mash it up and let it sit in the liquid to add more flavor.  If not, if you plan on making chicken add it to that, but I'm not sure how long it will last.  Good luck.

Answer 3

You can slice it thin and make sugared or candied ginger with it.  I use candied ginger in gingerbread, cookies and an out of this world Ginger Spice Pear cake.

Since it has already been boiled, after you slice it thin, set it aside.

put about 2 cups of white granulated sugar and a tablespoon of water (maybe use a little of the ginger water)in a pot that can be covered.

Put the ginger in with the sugar. Turn the heat on very low, to let the sugar melt slowly. Keep stirring, the sugar will melt and start to crystallize. This is what you want, just keep stirring until it start clumping a little and there is little or no sugar syrup left.  Just the ginger and crystals.  Don't let it brown, if it browns, its junk.  

Once you get mostly crystals and ginger, take it from the hear and spread in in pan, making sure to separate the ginger.

You get two things from this.  Some awesome crystalized ginger and ginger sugar you can put into anything. Store both in an airtight container.

Answer 4

I would chop it up fine and freeze it for later use in recipes calling for fresh ginger, i.e. stir frys, etc..

Answer 5

Never made homemade ginger ale, but it sure does sound strong!  Maybe refrigerate it, and use a couple Tbsp in your Chinese dishes to give an Asian flavor....