Garlic, a cornerstone of culinary artistry, is not just a flavor enhancer for stir-fries and an array of dishes; it’s also a potent natural antibiotic. Its pungent aroma and unique taste may be divisive, but its role in cooking is indisputable. Beyond the kitchen, raw garlic is consumed for its health benefits. But the real question is: How can you keep garlic fresh for an extended period? Today, we’re unveiling a highly effective method, a well-kept secret among seasoned chefs.
Garlic: A Powerhouse of Benefits
Before diving into preservation, let’s appreciate garlic’s myriad virtues. It’s known for regulating blood pressure, reducing cholesterol levels, and detoxifying the liver. As a natural antibacterial, it combats intestinal parasites and bolsters the immune system. Its anti-inflammatory properties aid in circulatory system regulation, helping prevent cardiovascular diseases.
In winter, garlic emerges as a formidable ally against seasonal flu. It’s essential not only for culinary creativity but also for overall well-being. So, how do we preserve this valuable ingredient effectively? Fear not, for there’s an outstanding technique to keep garlic in pristine condition for at least a year. Let’s explore this fantastic tip!
The Ultimate Garlic Preservation Tip
Seasoned cooks swear by this method, and now, you can too. Here’s what to do:
- Start with half a kilo of garlic cloves.
- Soak them in warm water for about an hour, and you’ll find the skins peel off effortlessly post-soaking.
- Place the peeled cloves in a sterilized glass jar.
- Add two tablespoons of coarse salt (approximately 30 grams).
- Choose between a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar, based on your taste preference.
- Boil water, let it cool, and then add it to the jar.
- Top it off with a slice of lemon before sealing the jar.
- Shake well to mix everything.
This technique ensures that your garlic cloves remain perfect and unspoiled for over a year. The best part? You can use them anytime without the hassle of peeling each time. This practical and effective method is a testament to the ingenuity of experienced cooks.
Freeze Garlic
Freezing fresh garlic is a great way to preserve it for all your winter meals. Learn how to freeze garlic cloves, minced garlic, pureed garlic in oil, and roasted garlic paste with these tips.
Freeze Garlic Cloves: By far, the easiest way to freeze garlic quickly is in whole cloves. All you need is fresh garlic and a freezer bag.
Just separate the cloves, remove the outer paper skins, and place the peeled garlic in a freezer safe airtight container or freezer bag. Squeeze all the air out, and then seal it closed. Once this is done, the garlic can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To use frozen garlic cloves, just reach in the bag and grab what you need. Garlic doesn’t freeze solid, so you can crush, slice, or chop the cloves and prepare it for your recipe as you would with fresh garlic.
The texture of the frozen garlic cloves will change and become softer than fresh, but it will hold all the flavor of garlic. Frozen cloves maintain their color and flavor better then chopped or minced garlic.
Freezing Minced Garlic: Taking the time to chop or mince your garlic before freezing makes it much easier when it is time to prepare meals. You can use frozen chopped garlic in any recipe the same way you would use fresh garlic.
To freeze minced garlic, first separate the garlic cloves, remove the peelings, and trim off the root ends. Add the garlic cloves to the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until the garlic is minced to your liking. Scoop the minced garlic out of the food processor into a small freezer bag and flatten.
Score indents with a butter knife or bamboo skewer to make it easy to break off squares as needed for cooking. Place the bag of minced garlic in the freezer. Freezing it flat makes it easy to store. To use frozen minced garlic, simply separate sections and add to your recipes. One teaspoon of minced garlic is roughly equal to one clove.
Freezing Pureed Garlic and Oil: Cooking meals for the week can be a challenge, but grabbing a cube of pureed garlic and oil from the freezer can save you some time. Puree garlic and oil together in a blender or food processor before you freeze it into ice cube trays. Once frozen, these garlic cubes will keep their flavor and are ready to sauté or stir-fry in a hot pan.
To make garlic and oil puree, first separate the cloves from the bulbs, peel off the skins, and trim the ends. Place the garlic into a blender or food processor. Pulse the food processor several times to chop the garlic, and then add olive oil and blend to puree the garlic with the oil. One tablespoon of oil to one head of garlic is a good place to start. Add more or less oil to your liking.
Scoop the puree into small ice-cube trays and place in the freezer until frozen, about 2 hours. After the cubes are frozen, add them to a freezer bag and store in your freezer for up to 6 months.
You can also freeze the pureed garlic and oil in a flattened freezer bag the same way as minced garlic above, or use a teaspoon to scoop out the puree and flash freeze in mounds on parchment paper. To use, add the frozen pureed garlic and oil as you would fresh and cook according to your recipe. A one-inch cube of pureed garlic and oil equals about one tablespoon of pureed garlic.
