What Would Italian Food be Without Fresh Garlic!

Heaven forbid we ever experienced the loss of garlic. This treasure is found in every Italian kitchen, sometimes next to their vitamins…and rightfully so. Not only is garlic delicious, but it’s also good for you. Garlic has been proven to be good for your heart, and has other medicinal qualities which have been used for centuries to cure ailments. Recent studies have shown that garlic can boost your immune system and lower cholesterol. Isn’t it wonderful when great tasting food turns out to be good for you? Don’t be afraid to consume as much as you like of this delicious herb!

Contrary to some beliefs, when used properly garlic does not have to overpower your dish. For amazing Italian food, fresh garlic cloves are the only way to go.

There are many ways to prepare fresh garlic.

Dry roasting – This is a quick, easy way to mellow garlic. Place the whole, unpeeled cloves into a dry skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Toast until the skins are golden brown. The skins will now come off easily, and the garlic is soft and ready to be chopped or minced.

Blanching – To prepare raw garlic this way, put the whole, peeled cloves in a pot of cold water and bring to a boil, then immediately take them off. Pour off the water and add fresh, cold water, bring to a boil again and remove. You can continue to repeat the process until the cloves are as soft and mellow as you would like them.

Roasting – Roasting garlic gives it sweet, wonderful flavor (and fills the kitchen with delicious aromas.) You get a wonderful golden, creamy garlic paste, which can be used for so many things!

Mincing – You typically want to leave this to someone with excellent knife skills. (Such as our proficient chefs at Rosedale!) Most chefs can cut, mince and make garlic paste all with a chef’s knife, but for those who are not trained, you may want to use a garlic press for raw cloves.

Garlic is a delicious addition to any Italian meal, and surpasses even the onion as the most used ingredient in our dishes. What would else could you expect at Rosedale…we’re cucina Italiano! It would be easier to have you look at our menu than list all our dishes where garlic is present. Let’s just say it would be high on our list of things we thank at an awards ceremony….(behind Momma and Nonna, of course!)