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!!

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

A great article on Garlic!

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

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!

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!

Friends, Food and Wine; Living in Paradise

Happy sipper

view from the deck

     Nestled in a tiny hidden valley near the Monterey Bay, just outside of the equally tiny village of Aromas, CA, sits the rustic, charming River Run Winery. River Run bears no resemblance to those huge corporate wineries that the Napa Valley is known for. Bounded by organic strawberry fields, apple orchards, still verdant hills and a river, it is aptly named.  River Run produces a selection of handcrafted, award winning varietals. At the top of my "favorites" list is the late harvest Zinfandel. Other offerings include the Coté de Aromas, Viognier, Negrette, and Carignane.  Today those in attendance got to enjoy the weather California is famous for; warm sun and a taste of an ocean breeze experienced in a beautiful casual setting.

      Happy sippers can enjoy the serene view, visiting with friends, strolls in the garden and generous samples of River Run's offerings while also enjoying the delicious appetizers created by hostess Kristine and chef and President of Garlic Festival Foods, Caryl Simpson. (garlicfestival.com) JP, host and wine maker is there to discuss his wines one on one with interested oenophiles. Those fortunate enough to live in the area or planning a visit can be apprised of future events by signing up for mailings at www.riverrunwines.com or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RiverRunVintners.

flowers and food

A river runs through it

Garli Glaze from garlicfestival.com

JP and wine sippers 

the "lineup"