a little good natured wagering...

 

Part of the fun of working in a small company is getting to know your co-workers like family. ( this can be bad too, but not for this story... lol) 

Last football season when we got to the play offs we had a friendly pool in our office. It ended at Super Bowl and you may remember seeing some not so happy mugs presenting our warehouse manager Arthur with his (no so hard won) celebratory beer. :(

Well this year we jumped on the band wagon early and started a friendly, weekly pool at week 1. 

Now tensions can run pretty high week to week as we each have our favorite teams.. Arthur is a hard core Dallas fan.. down to his soul. Tracy lives for Chargers wins and I, as a native San Franciscan, am Gold & Red all the way (except during baseball season.. Go Giants!).

Admittedly I am not the biggest football fan. I watch the occasional game. I like to get swept up in Superbowl fever if the 49ers are in it, but on a day to day basis my knowledge runs fair to well, nada! So its been VERY entertaining (well, to me) that my "non- system" of picking teams has led me to 3 straight wins. I am sure this is killing Arthur inside a little bit each day and while Tracy would love to win, at least she reaps the benefits of my wins through Starbuck's deliveries ;)

This week, being a little punchy from working on the new website and all the fiddly details that involves, we decided to make it even more interesting by putting Bandit into the betting mix. We decided that since he is a cat, he would pick all teams, that were.. felines (Bengals, Lions, Jaguars), Birds (Falcons, Cardinals, Ravens), or fish (Dolphins). We then mused that he might choose teams that would have feathers on their outfits ( Red Skins, Chiefs) and well, the other games were just a toss up.

So now we are anxious for Monday, (or Tuesday) to see how it all shakes out. Will Bandit's system reward him with a can of tuna? (For the record if he loses, we each get a dollar) or will Arthur finally reign supreme? Tune in next week to find out or use our chart above and follow along as you watch the games this weekend.

Good News for Garlic Lovers...

Eating raw garlic may help cut risk of lung cancer almost in half, study finds...

 

According to a new study by researchers from the Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China, consuming raw garlic might actually help prevent lung cancer, along with other various chronic health problems.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/08/09/chinese-study-concludes-eating-raw-garlic-may-help-cut-risk-lung-cancer-almost/#ixzz2bV1u2JIm

2013 Garlic

The Year’s First Garden Garlic~2013

From Garlic Festival Foods Garden

While the first commercial garlic of the year is yet to be harvested in California, our garden has yielded this beautiful pink variety and another Asian variety, the seed of which was given to me by a gardener friend. Unfortunately, I don’t know the name of the variety, but note the large separated cloves and tan color, unlike California Early & California Late, which are very large and white. 

Often grown organically, some of these other colorful varieties can be found at farmers markets throughout the country. Many have a spicy and pungent flavor. Try a variety and see what you like.        

Avoid imported Chinese varieties found in stores and identifiable by their completely bare root area.

These garlic bulbs have been drying for a few days but are uncleaned and unclipped.

These have been cleaned of their outer dirty skins and are now ready to store in a cool, dry place (or eaten)!

Garlic & Popcorn pack an antioxidant punch!

Did you know that popcorn is one of the healthiest snacks around?

Popcorn is loaded with antioxidants, even more than many fruits and vegetables.

However, skip the microwavable stuff and pop your own in an air-popper or the stove top kind. It’ll save money and be much healthier. 

According to a study from the University of Minnesota, diacetyl, the flavoring that gives microwave popcorn its buttery flavor could trigger a buildup of plaque causing Alzheimers. The research found that diacetyl increases the clumping in the brain of a protein, beta-amyloid, and hinders the brain’s ability to clear it.

You’ll further add to popcorn’s healthful properties by cutting down on the butter. 

Try this instead for mouthwatering popcorn: Mix extra virgin olive oil half and half with real butter, sprinkle in some Garli Garni or Garlic Festival Popcorn Seasoning and melt. Pour over your popcorn and toss.  (For cheesy popcorn, try Garli Ghetti instead)

Garlic in the Garden

If you had planted your garlic last fall, and live in a more temperate climate (sorry midwest) your garlic plants might look a little like this right about now.

Our fearless leader, Caryl, took home some of the fresh garlic from our warehouse last fall and planted them in her garden along with another hardneck (rocambole) variety that she got from a gardener friend. You can see in the picture at the left that the tops of the hardneck garlic form a round stem with a little bulb at the end. These turn into
curly stems or "scapes". Scapes are not only pretty to look at in the garden and flower arrangements but can be eaten just like the garlic bulb itself.

At this time of year, one might wish to pull some of their garlic and use it as "green garlic". Green garlic is the early bulb formation or "green" stage of garlic bulbs before the cloves begin to mature. Like scapes, it is fresh and tasty for use in cooking.

If you haven't planted garlic in your home garden ( like me.. whomp whomp), you can check out Farmer's Markets in your area. Many markets carry scapes and green garlic in Spring and early summer. If you score some, you might want to try out one of these yummy recipes:

- NY Times Quinoa Pilaf with Sweet Peas and Green Garlic
- Saveur's BLTs with Green Garlic Aioli
- About.com's Roasted Green Garlic
- Saveur's Garlic Scape Pesto
- Cold Garden, Warm Kitchen's Bacon Wrapped Garlic Scapes

and of course you can do a websearch for either Garlic Scapes or Green Garlic for tons of other tasty ideas. Now I need to go find some lunch. The hazards of foodblogging :)

WARNING: This post will make you hungry! or, Perusing Pinterest

Seriously!! Looking at Pinterest is dangerous to your weight.. I am starving now...

Garlic Gorgonzola Bread
Triple Garlic Pizza

Garlic Cheese Muffins

Sauteed Lemon Garlic Porkchops

Garlic-Buttered Chicken & Zucchini Pizza

Roasted Garlic Mushrooms with Brie

Bacon Wrapped Potatoes with Easy Garli Aioli

Garlic is for heroes...

"Shallots are for babies; Onions are for men; garlic is for heroes."

Recipe PHOTO Contest!

Garlic lovers are passionate people and Garlic Festival Foods fans are no different. We know you love to share the love when it comes to YOUR favorite Garlic Festival brand products. We hope it’s no different when it comes to sharing what you CREATE with our products too.



Announcing Garlic Festival Food’s Recipe PHOTO contest. That’s right, a PHOTO contest! So if you can’t write.. no problem. Can’t measure? No worries. Just snap a picture of your Garlic Festival laden dish and make our mouths water! Simply visit our Facebook Page and click the Photo Contest tab, fill out the short form, upload your photo and you are entered! In addition, if you enter your RECIPE as well, we will give you an EXTRA entry AND the best part.. we will draw one winner from every 20 entries! 

Chicken a la Mexicana

Stacey is our sales associate and helps out on the customer service desk. She is also a semi-retired singer and all around foodie..
she recently moved into a new place and had been experimenting in the kitchen. Lucky us, because she came in and shared this yummy (and low fat) recipe, ENJOY!!

Garlic Chicken a la Mexicana

 

 4-6 Chicken Thighs

1 Tbsp. Garli Garni seasoning

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

½ cup Onion chopped

½ cup Green Pepper chopped

3-5 Cloves Fresh Garlic thinly sliced

1 Jalapeno Pepper thinly sliced (optional)

1 tsp. dried Oregano

1 cup Carrots thinly sliced

2 medium Potatoes, peeled and chopped (bite sized)

1 (14.5oz) can diced Tomatoes

1 (8 oz) can Tomato Sauce

½ cup White Wine (optional)

½ cup Chicken Broth

 

Rub chicken thighs with Garli Garni seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat. Sauté chicken thighs on each side until brown (approximately 4 minutes per side). Add all remaining ingredients in order. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to create a slow simmer. Partially cover and cook for 30 minutes or until meat and veggies are tender. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro (optional).

 

Serves 4-6

 

Serve with a fresh tossed green salad dressed with our Grill & Marinade or your favorite dressing.

Easy Mustard Dip

This savory dip couldn't be easier or more tasty. A great last addition to your Super Bowl snack line up.  Simply mix equal parts Garlic Festival Sweet & Spicy Mustard and sour cream with a splash of brandy cognac. Warm in microwave until warm and the flavors meld. Top off with a grind of fresh pepper before serving. Great as a dip for sausages, ham or even vegetables. Also fabulous on steaks!
YUM!!

GO NINERS!!!

World's Best Garlic Bread??

Bo may have known football but WE know garlic and therefore it follows that we also KNOW Garlic Bread! Gone are the days of greasy but flavorless garlic bread.. our recipe is so yummy that the kids ask for it for lunch.

 ~“Garlic High Priestess” Garlic Bread~   

1 loaf crusty bread, split lengthwise 

3 cloves fresh CA garlic, minced finely 

1 Tbls. Garli Garni

1 stick sweet butter
2 Tbls. mayo

2 Tbls. extra-virgin olive oil 

4  Tbls. fresh grated Parmesan cheese (optional) 

Combine garlic, butter, oil, & Garli Garni in a small skillet over moderate-low heat for 3-4 minutes. Toast split bread under broiler. Remove bread when it is toasted golden brown in color. Brush bread liberally with garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle with cheese, if using.    Return to broiler and brown 30 seconds. Cut into chunks and serve. 

 

Garlic Fries!! Need we say more?

We know Garlic Fries have become the rage at stadiums across the nation. Here we have removed all that oily mess and replaced it with tons of FLAVOR!


1 lb frozen french fries
2 tablespoons minced garlic cloves
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary

Garli Garni to taste

Toss minced garlic in olive oil.

Place fries in baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil mixture and part of the rosemary. Sprinkle with Garli Garni and toss.

Bake according to package directions tossing occasionally. Once fries are cooked and golden brown, remove from pan and sprinkle with remaining rosemary and more Garli Garni to taste. YUM!!

Salsa-licious!

No football game would be complete without chips in salsa and we're happy that our fans LOVE Garlic Festival Garlic Salsa for its zesty, tangy ways, but we want you to love it even MORE!!
Here are a few ways to take great to BETTER:

- Add thawed baby shrimp.
- Add chuncks of fresh avocado.
- Add a small can of drained pineapple chunks for a sweet & spicy version.. try mango too!
- Layer with beans, cheese and other "taco" favoites for a layered dip. Olé!
- Stir in small cans od kernal corn and black beans.
- Add fresh chopped onion and some fresh lime juice...

what is your favorite way to eat our salsa??

Super Bowl Bound Baby!!

On Sunday the 20^th, the whole GFF crew was up in San Francisco attending the International Fancy Food Show. Fortunately for us football fans, several of the booths and the snack bar had TVs. Periodically throughout the morning, one could hear a whoop or groan as the 49ers battled against the Falcons for the AFC Title.

Tracy was receiving text updates from her husband, and as we walked the show we were finally drawn to a bank of TVs above the snack bar just in time to see San Francisco miss a field goal, followed shortly by a fumbled ball at their one-yard line.

Heavy sighs, and a few swear words, escaped the crowd. People approached and anxiously inquired as to the score. Tension buzzed through the crowd and finally, a few minutes later, the 49ers scored what would be their winning touchdown! Talk about excitement. People where jumping up and down, whooping, shouting and dancing with happiness.

Meanwhile, on computer screens across the country, Garlic Festival’s Facebook fans wondered if a promo of  “GIANT” proportion would follow a “hometown” win.

Can the 49ers make it all the way? We hope so and you should too. Time will tell as we wait with bated breath for the Super Bowl outcome. PROMO or NO PROMO??!

In addition to waiting for that final score, we will also be preparing snacks for the Big Game! Each day this week we will share a favorite “garlicized” appetizer to spice up your football offerings…

 

~ Garli Glaze Hot Wings ~

This is a winner!

Pat dry and toss the desired number of wings with any hot sauce (such as Tobasco) and bake at 350º on an oiled cookie sheet or parchment paper until nearly done. Remove, drain & cool slightly. Toss with Garli Glaze to coat evenly & return to the oven & finish cooking until tender & slightly caramelized.

 

Garlic in the City

We are in San Francisco today attending the International Fancy Food Show. So much to see and TASTE! Of course there was much excitement during the 49er game and lots of celebrating. We couldn't resist having dinner at The Stinking Rose restaurant with the gang.... Yum!!



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Location:Broadway,San Francisco,United States