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.