My son has a sign in his room – Garlic is the 5th food group! And in our family that’s true. There are very few things that can’t be improved with Garlic. Growing up in California, garlic is a staple. Gilroy is the garlic capital of the world and its festival is world famous.
The Amazing History of Garlic
Garlic is one of the oldest seasonings available too! It was used and worshipped by the Egyptians, making it’s way to King Tut’s tomb, as well as the Greeks and Romans. Both cultures used it as food an medicine. It can even keep away vampires and other evil spirits in many cultures! At least in the old mythology – and it can certainly keep away undesirable advances on occasions. Although other cultures claim it is an aphrodisiac.
Garlic is also now proven to be good for you. Isn’t it amazing how many “old folk remedies” really have real benefits (like grandma’s chicken soup). Garlic is supposed to help lower blood pressure and while that is debatable, Louis Pasture found that it has great antibacterial properties. Garlic was even used as an antiseptic in WWI.
Great Garlic Ideas
I suppose that’s why Two Sisters Gourmet Outrageously Garlic is consistently one of the top three products in the line. It has great garlic flavor. My daughter takes a jar to school every semester and she doesn’t even really have a kitchen – you can use it a thousand ways. Most easily it makes an addictive dip with either sour cream or a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise. You can also let it soak in some olive oil for a great bread dip (add a little parmesan cheese and pepper and WOW!). You can always sprinkle it on fresh vegetables or French fries for some extra zest. Last night I added it to creamed spinach and had flavor at a whole new level.
Four Easy Recipes
Here are links to four of our easy recipes for Outrageously Garlic:
Wow! Twice a year, I am in foodie heaven when I get to attend the Fancy Food Show. In winter, it’s a double treat as I get to go home and see my Mom and other friends.
So you know about food trends – you all prowl the grocery store in search of new things to tempt the fickle palettes of your family. Many of the trends you know – they receive a lot of press; sustainability, eating locally, simple ingredients, and in case you hadn’t noticed eating at home more! (By the way, pigs in a blanket was voted the Super Bowl favorite!)
Now several of these, I heartily endorse. Now that we are back in the New Year, you know I am on my January diet! So I am back to eating HEALTHY (yes, I’m shouting). That means lots more fruit and vegetables. And while the farmer’s markets are not in operation at the moment, when the first one opens in the spring, I’ll be there.
That leave me with simple recipes and eating at home more – They must have known about us. We’ve had lots of food and food discussions over the holidays, and I truly believe that most of the best chefs think that recipes with less than 5 ingredients are best, because they really highlight the flavor of the food.
As for simple, well TSG certainly fits that bill. Shake on a little seasoning and you have a mid week treat! In a hurry, how about beer bread 21 different ways.
And eating at home more? The best part about having your children grow up is they come home more. And now they cook for us (granted I still get the dishes). Over the holidays we were treated to tacos, special Asian pork dumplings, marinated steak, fried rice, beef fondue, and General Tsao’s chicken. I really like the cookbook I gave them.
So the highlight of the show? Aside from the fabulous assortment of salsas and sauces, the hot trends included the continual introduction of global foods – Asian, Indian and lots of US regional. Superfoods are the other strong idea – blueberry, pomegranate, cranberry and acai. I need your help in shaping the way we grow the TSG line. Please vote for your favorite type so I know how to go.
Needless to say, I would love to introduce.And one of my personal favorites Honey Ridge Cream Honeys flavored with spice, raspberries and other fruit. The intriguing concept that you have to taste to appreciate is black garlic. IT is sort of sweet like good balsamic vinegar, but it is black . Another one that would be fun to have is chocolate cream in a container like whipped cream or cheese wiz – I’m not sure what I’d do with it other than put it in my coffee – but it is fun!
My son has a sign in his room – Garlic is the 5th food group! And in our family that’s true. There are very few things that can’t be improved with Garlic. Growing up in California, garlic is a staple. Gilroy is the garlic capital of the world and its festival is world famous.
