Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Garlic-From Patch to Pot.




Garlic...you either love it or you hate it, not much in-between feelings about this potent Allium.

Lifespan......Hardy perennial bulbs.
Height........8 inches to 3 feet.
Visual........Flat solid leaves with culinary bulb.

Garlic needs a sunny spot, but will tolerate some shade, needs rich, moist, and well drained soil.

Take offsets or divide bulb in autumn or spring; plant garlic cloves 1-1/2" deep.
( If sowing seed, do so in the spring only.)

Transplant or thin to 6" apart when you have a full stand.
Water only in very dry spells and enrich your soil annually.

Dig the bulbs in late summer, handle gently to avoid bruising.

Spread bulbs on a drying rack or any surface that will allow them to have circulating air. Store in a cool, dry place when completly dry.

You can also hang in roped fashion if you like.
To do this, dry with a portion of the leaf still intact, plat the leafs together in the same fashion as you would plat hair.

Garlic bulbs should be firm and good bright colors of white/purple/ or a combination of both. Soft and discolored bulbs will indicate that it has turned rancid and should not be used.
Do not store garlic bulbs in the frig...it will destroy the flavor.

One of my favorite uses for garlic.

Aioli (garlic mayonnaise)

1 egg yolk-fresh
1 cup olive oil
1 tbsp of wine vinegar
real salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
4 cloves of garlic

Makes one (1) cup

Mix all the ingredients with a wooden spoon

Crush or pound the garlic cloves in a pestle and mortar-
or with a garlic press.

Add garlic to other ingredients and mix well.

This is awesome spread on po-boy loaves for roast beef or seafood.
It's also good blended into hot or cold potato salad.
And on your favorite sandwich of the day!
Add to your favorite dip for fresh veggies.

Another easy and light recipe for garlic:

Take a large fresh clove, cut in half and rub a salad bowl all around the inside .

The light garlic flavor will impart to your salad but will not be overpowering.

Garlic bulbs are delicious roasted as a vegetable on the grill, drizzle with olive oil and little pepper...yummy! Goes great with any meat dish from the grill.

Oh...and the health benefits are just too numerous to list.

Enjoy!

BeaK.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have been added to The Personal Development List. I am happy to have you aboard. Feel free to add your favorite personal development bloggers if you'd like.

I'm gonna try that garlic mayo recipe. I eat mostly vegetarian dishes (although I do occassionally eat meat so, can't really claim to be a vegetarian). This recipe will be a great addition. :) Thank you!

BeaK. said...

Hi Priscilla,

So happy you like the garlic mayo recipe, it is delicious.

I like your site a lot...thanks

BeaK