My Fragrant Friend

Lets chat about one of me favorite ingredients to cook with shall we? He's very fragrant and very flavorful. People either love him or hate him...

If you guessed Garlic, you are indeed correct!!

As a kid growing up, I didn't care too much for anything garlic, not even garlic bread. I guess when I got older I must have developed a liking for it though. Now it is one of my favorites to use in the kitchen. My husband loves it too, if not more!

Some Fun Facts :

Decendents of garlic are believed to have been first found in Southwest Asia/China long ago. A couple relatives include onions and shallots. Garlic was even mentioned in the bible. The cloves found inside the bulb were used for culinary purposes as well as medicinal purposes. Nowadays, you can buy garlic vitamin supplements at the drugstore. Garlic is an antioxidant and is very good for your heart.

                                                                                  Garlic bulbs -->

If you're ever going to attract the attention of a Cullen, best to stay away from the garlic altogether ; ) Lets not forget the infamous fact that garlic will keep the vampires away too!!

I like to use garlic in just about anything I cook. Of course I haven't tried it in any desserts yet but I know people have done it! I just started using fresh garlic to put into sauces or mix in when sauteeing onions or veggies....I love it. I also use the minced garlic you can find in a jar, but I feel like that is less flavorful than fresh. If I want a bit more garlic kick, I just shake in a little garlic powder that I have on hand always right next to my stovetop!!

<--Cloves of Garlic

I love the smell while its cooking and the flavor it brings to the food I make. Come on, who doesn't love to have more flavor to their food?? Thats what makes food so awesomely enjoyable!

I know as I've stated earlier, you love it or you hate it...Those of you who think you hate it, why not give it a try next time with dinner?? A teeny bit won't hurt. You might even find you like it better in one dish than in another one...As for me, I will continue using my fragrant friend in just about everything I cook!! Mmm Mmm Good!!