Golden Milk (Haldi Doodh) Recipe

I bought a few 3 oz. packages of spices, like turmeric, over in Curry Hill to try a (surprise) curry recipe. I don't use these spices often, so I have a lot left over. When I came across an email today with different ways to use turmeric, I was inspired to try a number of recipes.

I was introduced to golden milk (or haldi doodh), which is a warm turmeric milk drink. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immune-boosting properties, among other benefits. So this drink is an easy way to take advantage of its health benefits. I also read that taking black pepper with turmeric increases absorption of turmeric in our bodies by 2000%.

I looked online for more information on how it's made and used this recipe to make my first cup. I really liked how it tasted with the warming spiciness of the turmeric and pepper. Turmeric is part of the ginger family and has a similar spiciness as ginger. Golden milk makes for a nice drink to have before bed. Note, I was cautious with my first cup and used a small amount of pepper. (Update: I made this again with a 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper that I saw in another recipe and thought it was too much so I'd stick with 1/4 teaspoon.)

I will definitely try different variations with other types of milk (coconut, almond), ginger, fresh turmeric vs. ground, and more pepper. But this is the recipe I used for my first try.

Golden Milk Recipe

Time: 2-3 minutes
Yield: 1 cup (8 oz.)

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk (any fat content of your choice)
• 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Directions
Stir all ingredients in a pot over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and continue to simmer for 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't boil over. Pour into a mug and enjoy!

Optional: Some of the ground spices settle to the bottom of the mug, which I didn't mind. If you prefer, you can strain the mixture through a very fine sieve.

Urbanspace Vanderbilt Review

Finally paid a visit to Urbanspace's indoor spot. The "food hall" term is a current food trend and, frankly, I roll my eyes because most self-proclaimed food halls are just food courts. I like food courts, so just call it what it really is.

So, I was very pleased to step inside Urbanspace Vanderbilt and actually feel like I was in a food hall. I didn't exactly have in mind what a food hall should look like, but I knew this is how a food hall should feel once I walked around this place.

(In contrast, on the way to Urbanspace Vanderbilt, I saw the new Great Northern Food Hall by chef Claus Meyer in Grand Central and was disappointed in its appearance. It looked like food kiosks or counters that I can find at airports and didn't conjure the feel of a food hall to me.)

The layout and design at Urbanspace Vanderbilt really make the vibe. There's open space between many vendors as opposed to partitions or walls separating each vendor at a typical food court. Even with the industrial decor, the string lights help bring warmth to the space. I just like how it all comes together. Sorry that I don't have any pictures of the space to share...my phone battery was dying.

There are plenty of great vendors to choose from like Roberta's, Sigmund's Pretzels, and OddFellows Ice Cream. And some food concepts will rotate giving more reason to return. On this first visit, I went with a small Famous Original pizza from Roberta's. Great thin, crispy crust but be prepared to wait 10-15 minutes because they make pizzas to order.

A photo posted by follow my crumbs (@follow_my_crumbs) on Aug 20, 2016 at 11:24am PDT

It's a great way to try a bunch of vendors in one place and it's year-round. Only wish it was conveniently located for me.

My Rating (out of 5):  4

Urbanspace Vanderbilt
Entrances at 45th St. & Vanderbilt Ave.
230 Park Ave. (at The Helmsley Building)
New York, NY 10169
http://urbanspacenyc.com/urbanspace-vanderbilt/