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Happy Holidays! A POP UP Sale on cookbooks! During the holiday hurry scurry we thought we'd help out by providing this special offer to you on our popular  International Garlic Festival Cookbook. Our cookbook makes the perfect hostess or gift exchange gift, a great addition to gourmet gift packs or even a fun stocking stuffer. And its a STEAL at this great price! Simply purchase one regular priced item from Garlic Festival Foods and you will get 50% off of our 148 page cookbook! Can be signed / personalized by the author. Please add desired inscription and ENTER code GOODCOOKIN12 at checkout to receive the deal. * Not valid with other promotions. One half priced cookbook per regular priced item. No limit. Must use code GOODCOOKIN12 at checkout. Exp. 12.24.12.

View email in your browser | Unsubscribe | Update your profile | Forward to a friend Copyright (C) 2012 Garlic Festival Foods - All rights reserved. 1803 Shelton Drive #103, Hollister, CA 95023 831-638-9556 1-888-GARLICFEST www.garlicfestival.com

New TRY THIS recipe...

 We just posted a new TRY THIS recipe on our website for Tomato, Olive & Goat Cheese Appetizer. We got the sample it last week and it is AMAZING!!

Holiday Gifts and New Digs!

Ugh, you guys.. I wrote a whole long post and then my computer ATE it.. No Garli Garni or anything.. just... gone!


ANYWAY! I wanted to share a few pictures of our new little "showroom". We participated in San Benito County's second Annual Shop Hop this past weekend. Unfortnately, we are not located downtown and the weather was not the greatest so we only had a handful of visitors but it was still fun. We got to hang out together, eat yummy food, drink wine and bask in the holiday glow. 

I think I mentioned a couple months back that we were expending our office space and moving to the warehouse next door. ( ugh) That move included a new showroom space and we had a lot of fun decking it out for the holidays.

We welcome folks to come visit us.. locals or garlic lovers just passing through. Just give us a call and come on out. We have all of your favorite Garlic Festival® products on hand plus some pretty snazzy gift baskets too! 1803 Shelton Drive #104 in Hollister, CA. 831-638-9556
  

Limited time $avings!!

Stay Home this weekend and avoid the crowds...
Shop online for $avings on all Gift Baskets and Packs at Garlic Festival Foods :)
Click here for details....

Divine Turkey Brine :)

As we're sure many of you are aware, brining turkies is a great way to add flavor and succulence to your holiday turkey.

Just thought we'd pop in and share our favorite brine recipe with you:

Determine the number of gallons of water you will need to completely cover your turkey. For each gallon of cold water, use 1 cup Kosher salt, 1/2 cup sugar and one packet of Garli Goop (or 2 Tbsp Garli Garni). Add some lemons or oranges (squeeze juice into brine) and throw in the citrus. Submerge turkey in brine to cover in a clean pot, brining bag or pot and keep in a cold place overnight. Rinse turkey, discard brine and cook as you normally would.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

"I got my order on Saturday!  Wow talk about FAST!  I made a roast and some pan potatoes that day and of course they were YUMMY.  My son came home from work and saw the Garlic Garni on the counter and was so excited as we all use it in everything (I believe he made some Mac and Cheese after I went to bed.  Thanks for such wonderful products =)  We're a Garlic Garni Family"- Linda in UT

ALL ABOUT Garlic

Ran across this great and very comprehensive article on The World's Healthiest Foods site. Check it out:
WHFoods: Garlic

Zesty Ballpark Garli Glaze Hot Wings

We just ran our SF Giants World Champs promo.. ( are you on our mailing list??) and this is one of the recipe on the special "Ball Park Favorites" recipe cards we are including in orders the next couple of weeks.

Zesty Ball Park Hot Wings with Garli Glaze
This is a winner!

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

Health advice takes a pinch of SALT

Health fads come and go but one constant seems to remain in the question of how much salt is actually good for us. Most folks question whether salt is good for them when they may have heart, blood pressure or hypertension issues.The answer to this question might surprise you.
We are constantly asked how much salt is in our products and various other questions. We do provide health panels on our website to answer the questions about how much is in OUR products. And for those other questions, we were happy to discover this article in our Costco Connection newsletter. We think you will find it interesting too:

	Look inside >
Salt of the Earth

Check out these cute Mummy Dogs from Christopher Ranch-

GARLIC MUMMIES A TREAT FOR HALLOWEEN | Christopher Ranch - http://bit.ly/Vz6VuV

WIN 2 VIP Passes to a Harvest Festival

Win 2 VIP passes to one of these 4 upcoming Harvest Festivals: Phoenix, AZ (Oct. 26-28) San Mateo, CA (Nov. 9-11), Sacramento, CA (Nov 16-18) or San Jose, CA (Nov 23-25) Simply leave a comment on our Facebook Page telling us WHY you'd love to attend. Enter no later than October 21 and we'll draw 3 names on Monday the 22. Winners will be notified through Facebook.. so check your messages!

Win 2 VIP passes to one of these 4 upcoming Harvest Festivals: Phoenix, AZ (Oct. 26-28) San Mateo, CA (Nov. 9-11), Sacramento, CA (Nov 16-18) or San Jose, CA (Nov 23-25) Simply leave a comment on our Facebook Page telling us WHY you'd love to attend. Enter no later than October 21 and we'll draw 3 names on Monday the 22. Winners will be notified through Facebook.. so check your messages!

Why We're not there! Or .... can't afford the real estate.

     Many of our devoted customers call and ask why we're not in more supermarkets, chain stores, etc.
The answer:  We are a relatively small company which creates products in small batches using high quality ingredients and California garlic.  What many people aren't aware of is that the grocery store industry is not in the business of selling only groceries; they are also in the business of selling real estate; that is, space on their shelves. These are called "slotting allowances".  What is the result of this practice?  There are many small companies out there that produce extremely high quality food products but can't afford to occupy the shelves of supermarkets because the extremely high price of getting there is prohibitive.
     Small companies find themselves in the situation of competing with the "big boys" such as Schilling,
General Mills, Johnson and Johnson, and Anheuser Busch for shelf space. These companies can afford the thousands of dollars (per product) required to pay for that shelf space. Basically, shelf space and placement go to the highest bidder. In addition, market chains require advertising dollars, free cases of product and often other perks from their suppliers.  Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, small,  privately held companies such as Garlic Festival Foods can't afford the enormous costs of going mainstream and that is the reason so many small companies don't make it.  Most of the companies that started in business at the same time as we did are no longer in business or have sold out.
     We have been in business for 26 years (one of the survivors) and early on I realized that we would have to find an alternative way to get our products to you, the consumers. Luckily, I stumbled onto a rare, at that time, method of marketing our products; selling directly to you at events such as holiday gift events, Home and Garden Shows, Craft Fairs and other "direct to the consumer" venues.  Also, there are specialty shops, butcher shops, delicatessens, fruit stands, tourist shops and independent small groceries that don't have the exorbitant financial requirements of occupying their shelves.
     The practice of slotting allowances deprives all of us of having access to many very fine, and sometimes superior, food items. Sometimes the best of the best never make to your grocery store's shelves. Ironically, this is why, sometimes, you find great products at dollar stores and discount stores. The producer simply couldn't make it or compete and finally went out of business and sold off their stock at pennies on the dollar to liquidators or discounters.  Sad, but true!
     However, in recent years, with the advent of the internet, small companies have had a fighting chance. We're able to reach all of you, our valued customers, and you're able to find us. So, THANK YOU!  You're what keeps us going. So, spread the word and the taste!  Garli Garni forever !!!

PS: If you know of a specialty store that you would like to carry our products, please let us know; or.... ask them to put us on their shelves. "Variety is the spice of life".

Pickled Garlic at Home

One of the things we are asked a lot is "How do I pickle garlic at home?"
Well part of the answer is that you can't really replicate our recipe in a home kitchen, but I was delighted to stumble across this recipe on Pinterest the other day. And while I haven't had the opportunity to try it out., I plan to. Soon! But, if you should beat me to the punch, PLEASE come back and let me know how it is.

French Pickled Garlic by Food PLus Words blog

Good Luck

Win 2 VIP passes to one of these 3 Upcoming Harvest Festivals:

Phoenix, AZ  (Oct. 26-28)
San Mateo, CA (Nov. 9-11) or
San Jose, CA (Nov 23-25)

Simply leave a comment on our Facebook page telling us WHY you'd love to attend no later than October 21 and we'll draw some names on Monday the 22. Winners will be notified through Facebook.. so check your messages!

Cats!

Always snoozing on the job.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Shelton Dr,Hollister,United States

Medical researchers suggest that garlic may prevent the common cold .

Cold & Flu Season is here.. or rapidly approaching. New research indicates that Garlic may help prevent the common cold. Read on...
 http://bit.ly/SWzzZ2

A great article on Garlic!

Here is a great, comprehensive article from WebMD (including some recipes) on our favorite "herb"..

Pumpkin Soup!

I drive right by an honor pumpkin patch 4x a day, back and forth to school. The pumpkins look so pretty lined up beside the road. We are anxious to go pick ours out now that the weather is cooling a bit and they won't sunburn on our porch. I can't wait to pick up a couple of babies to try this soup recipe either!! Another from Witty in the City..

Sweet & Spicy Garli Glazed Yams

Yay! Its officially fall and my most favorite time of the year. The temperatures here are starting to cool off and sweaters, boots and scarves are venturing out of closets.
At this time of the year we start looking forward towards the holidays, and thinking about all the delicious meals we are going to have. I know I have been pinning recipes that I want to try in preparation for Thanksgiving!
So, in the spirit of planning early, I thought I would start sharing some of our Holiday favorites in a short blog series so we can tempt YOUR taste buds. My first is recipe for one of my personal favorites..
Sweet & Spicy Garli Glazed Yams
2 lbs. Yams or sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2" chunks
juice of 1 lemon
4 Tbsp Garli Glaze
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp salt

Add lemon juice to a bowl of cold water and toss with yams as you work.
In a small sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter and add Garli Glaze, stirring to combine. Remove from heat.
Drain yams and arrange in a baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray. Sprinkle with salt and pour over the glaze.
Bake in 375 oven for approximately 25 minutes or until tender.
Mash to desired consistency and transfer to a serving dish pouring any remaining glaze from dish on top.
Serve HOT!

We regularly have the "water boiling over" problem in our kitchen. Love this kitchen tip to prevent boiling over that I found on Pinterest.

FREE GARLIC & $5 Shipping!

AND $5 shipping on orders of $50 or more with promo code BOO2012!! Stock up now!
expires 10.31.12 at midnite PST!

Garlic Peelers back in stock!

Its been a long time since we have had handy garlic peelers in stock. I stumbled across a box of them in the warehouse the other day and thought our customers might NEED them for the holidays.. By far the EASIEST garlic peeler we have ever used. I use mine weekly (at least). Its a flexible tube that easily to use ( even for kids), dishwasher safe and small enough to store in your gadget drawer. These peelers are helpful for peeling lots of garlic quickly and help avoid getting that garlic smell in your skin. They make a terrific stocking stuffer, addition to  gourmet gift baskets or as a treat to yourself along with your fresh California garlic
order!

Why you should be concerned about Chinese garlic...

The other day and customer contacted me to "grill" me about CA Garlic vs other imported garlic, namely the Chinese Garlic that has flooded the market as of late. The unfortunate thing about Chinese Garlic for those of us IN the garlic business is that it is shipped and distributed to the market so inexpensively that it makes it difficult if not impossible to compete. Chinese grown garlic just tastes bad as well. Due to chemical treatment for various things, it carries with it a foul after taste that is not desireable. We constantly need to double check with OUR suppliers to make sure they are not using Chinese garlic in our products due to its low cost. We want only the BEST, locally grown, California garlic to maintain our high standards.

I guess the point I am getting to is that my conversation with our customer prompted me to do more research on Chinese garlic and WHY it tastes so bad. I must say that the journey was enlightening and a little scary. The best illustration of WHY Chinese is so yucky is summed up in these articles....

Washington Post-  Cause for Concern in Chinese Bulbs?

NaturalNews.com- Conventionally Grown Garlic Contaminated with Chemicals

And the bottom line is that Garlic Festival Foods, does not and will not EVER sell Chinese or chemically treated garlic. All of the garlic we use in our products is grown IN California and all of the fresh garlic we sell is safe to eat AND plant.

"Man Pleasing" Chicken :)

Tried this recipe the other night except I replaced the Dijon Mustard with Garlic Festival Foods Sweet & Spicy mustard. To die!!

Just a reminder that our United in Garlic gift packs are ON SALE for only $12 which is a savings of $4 per pack! They contain our best selling Garli Garni seasoning and its close runner up Garli Ghetti, plus a bulb of fresh Gilroy garlic.. These little packs make GREAT stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, bunco prizes and hostess gifts.. and guess what? Christmas is coming! Now don't run away with your fingers in your ears yelling "la la la", you know Christmas is sneaking up... and if I have started my Chrismas shipping, you can too!

And since it is September, here is a little trivia about how the United gift pack came to be. As you're aware, this week marks the 11th anniversary of 9/11. The United in Garlic gift pack was created that very week as our way of paying tribute to the fallen and the heroes. We figured it was fitting to create a red, white and blue gift to commemorate the day. For a year afterwards we donate a portion of the sales of the United Gift pack to the Red Cross to assist 9/11 rescue workers and  families. We sold LOTS of them that year and continue to do so. Our fondness for the little gift pack that gave back continues and you will hope you will love it too.