Two Garlic recipes for the kitchen
Allium sativum is the chosen subject for this article, and if you don’t know what this is about by its Latin name, then just ask a vampire and he will definitely turn as white as a sheet. Today, we are going to dedicate this space to garlic. This is definitely not something you should eat if you want to have a pleasant chat with someone you’re attracted to afterwards. There’s a reason it is related to onions, but it turns out to be quite special, making foods stand out and giving new flavors to fish or delicious sautéed vegetables.
Each bulb of garlic is home to roughly 12 cloves of garlic, and they are covered with an elegant white veil. Its origin can be traced by its distinctive smell all the way to Asia. Ancient Egyptians ate copious amounts of garlic and onions. Could you imagine eating garlic and onions as if they were apples in order to calm your appetite on some hot afternoon on the banks of the Nile?
Benefits and properties of Garlic
Garlic is used not only to ward off imaginary vampires and suitors, or as historical reference to Egyptian meals, but it is also a delicious condiment for breads, pasta, meat, and a long list of etceteras that whet my appetite just thinking about them. They also contain certain benefits for the body that are important to keep in mind every time you dice up a clove of garlic. Garlic is rich in mineral like potassium; one tablespoon of garlic can provide up to 11 mg, which is needed more muscle construction and to control the heart’s electric activity. There is roughly 4 mg of phosphorous in one tablespoon of garlic, which helps produce energy in the body, and also promotes good kidney function. Vitamins are also important, and garlic is special for providing vitamin C and vitamin B6, which helps maintain skin and hair. Garlic could have even more properties, but more research needs to be done before making extraordinary claims, especially in regards to its component known as allicin, which is what gives garlic its unique aroma. But in the meantime, enjoy its vitamins and minerals, which are most potent when consumed raw. I know this could be a bit difficult, but with just a bit of honey or parsley, this might be a little more gently on the palette.
Aioli or garlic dressing with a spicy touch
Ingredients
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 2/3 tsp. of olive oil
- 1 tsp. parsley, freshly chopped
- ½ cayenne pepper, dried and chopped
- Salt to taste
Directions
- Lightly process garlic with salt, parsley, and cayenne pepper. Then add the egg yolk and the lemon juice, and process until well blended.
- Add olive oil and blend slowly until forming a dense paste.
- Add it to a bit of seafood, a sandwich, or vegetables that you like.
Garlic bread
Ingredients
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 450 grams of wheat flour
- 7 grams of yeast
- 100 grams of cheddar cheese
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 1/3 c. water
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 Tbsp. rosemary
Directions
- Mix flour with yeast in a bowl.
- Place peeled garlic cloves in aluminum foil with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place in a frying pan and heat over medium heat until they soften.
- Finely dice the garlic and rosemary and add them to the flour, along with the lemon zest. Mix all ingredients until mixed well.
- Make a depression in the flour and place the olive oil in in. Begin to blend, slowly adding water until creating a soft dough. Knead on a floured surface for 5 or 7 minutes, until the dough becomes more elastic.
- Once you have finished the kneading, let the dough set for 1 hour or until it doubles in size. Knead for 2 or 3 minutes once again, once the dough has doubled in size.
- Shape the bread however you like – circular, long, etc., and place it in a greased pan. Cover the dough with a moist towel and let set for half an hour or until it once again doubles in size.
- Spread cheese evenly, rub a bit of olive oil on the sides of the bread to give it a golden color. Using a fork, lightly pinch the dough throughout, just before baking.
- Bake for 35 minutes at 200? C. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes and cut however you like. Pair this bread with whatever you want. All you need is a bit of butter to enjoy this taste.
- You could also add olives when you add the cheese, if you would like.