13 Things to do with Garlic

Garlic is usually considered in the same moment coupled with halitosis - smelly breath. In fact, in most conversations that centre around this wonderful vegetable/herb, bad breath will most certainly be raised as a reason for its distaste. Yet there are so many other uses of this distinctive plant.

Culinary Uses

Infused oils - garlic oil is so easy to make yet it is such an amazing resource to have in the kitchen. Peel 2-3 cloves, pressing them gently against the back of your knife on a chopping board to release their flavour, and drop them into a small glass jar with about 500ml of extra virgin olive oil.

Garlic bread - it's incredible how popular this item is in restaurants and kitchens all over the world. All it takes is some pre-softened butter with a few crushed cloves of garlic, lemon juice and finely chopped parsley and you're onto a winner. Spread it onto some bread and throw it in the oven or on a char griller and in moments you will have a delicious entree.

Flavouring for sauces and dishes - there aren't too many dishes that can't accept garlic as a flavour enhancer. Pasta, roasts, casseroles and their accompanying sauces can all lift with the addition of this herb.

Garlic for Health

Acne problems - supposedly, rubbing your skin with cloves off garlic can reduce pimples and acne problems.

Regulate blood - it has also been shown that regular intakes of garlic can regulate the blood helping to improve coronary issues

Ward off and fight the common cold - while it's never actually been proven, there are certainly enough 'old-wives -tales' to consider at least trying it.

Garlic as a Decoration

Braiding - braided garlic hanging in your kitchen is such a great ornament - and useful too. Here's a post on how to braid garlic.

Planting Garlic

Companion planting - obviously garlic is best when it's in the garden and it excels when used as a companion plant for roses and other vegetables.

Growing garlic as a vegetable/herb - here's a post on planting garlic

Garlic Sprays

Organic pesticides - garlic's natural repelling tendencies leans itself to being a great pesticide that you make at home. Here's a recipe that you can use in your own garden.

Insect repellants - the above link also offers some ideas for how to use garlic as an insect repellant to spray on yourself and your family and pets.

De-Ice Roads

Melting snow and ice - mixed with salt, garlic can be used as powerful de-icer

Aphrodisiac?

Improve your love life - while halitosis and odorous sweat glands are worth considering when conusing too much garlic, tests in rats have proven to increase testosterone levels so maybe there is some correlation with garlic and your love life.

Posted by Stuart on January 3, 2009 7:19 AM | Permalink | Check to Subscribe to this Comment:

Comments

You forgot # 14, Stuart ... repelling vampires :)

Posted by: joey | January 3, 2009 9:41 AM

I Just pop a Clove every day with my morning Tea !! , Beats Paying Big Money for Garlic Pills. :)

Posted by: Lynda G Key | January 3, 2009 9:49 AM

My husband eats a couple of cloves every night like a pill. Swears it keeps him from getting sick (which he never does). Personally, I prefer mine on garlic bread. Mmmmm.... I'd like to try growing some this year, though.
~Angela :-)

Posted by: Angela (In the Cottage Garden) | January 4, 2009 6:19 AM

And put the garlic oil in the fridge, (I think it's no longer than 3 weeks).

Posted by: Shreela | January 4, 2009 8:28 PM

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