National Garlic Day

It’s National Garlic day and there is a party going on at Girlichef’s site to celebrate the humble Allium sativum. To join in the fun I thought I would share a few garlic facts, a few garlic quotes and a couple of dishes accented with lots of garlic.



First off, About Garlic (from Garlic Recipes ):

From the earliest times, garlic has been used as part of peoples diet. It formed part of the food of the Israelites in Egypt and of the laborers employed by Cheops in the construction of his pyramid.

It was largely consumed by the ancient Greek and Roman soldiers, sailors and rural classes. Galen eulogizes it as the rustic's theriac (cure-all), and Alexander Neckam recommends it as a palliative of the heat of the sun in field labor.

Garlic is most often used as a seasoning or a condiment, and is believed by many to have some medicinal value.

But also…………..it’s delicious! It pumps up the flavor in so many dishes……it’s cause for us to restock when the garlic supply is down to one single untouched bulb. We must keep it in the house.


Garlic Quoted here…………

“There are five elements: earth, air, fire, water and garlic.”
Louis Diat

“Tomatoes and oregano make it Italian; wine and tarragon make it French. Sour cream makes it Russian; lemon and cinnamon make it Greek. Soy sauce makes it Chinese; garlic makes it good.”
Alice May Brock (of ‘Alice's Restaurant’ fame)

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

"A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat." Old saying

“Provençal cooking is based on garlic. The air in Provence is impregnated with the aroma of garlic, which makes it very healthful to breathe. Garlic is the main seasoning in bouillabaisse and in the principal sauces of the region. A sort of mayonnaise is made with it by crushing it in oil, and this is eaten with fish and snails. The lower classes in Provence often lunch on a crust of bread sprinkled with oil and rubbed with garlic.”
Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) ‘Grand Dictionnaire de Cuisine’

Quotes are from Food reference

Food
Last but not least....some dishes with garlic.

This little side dish hosts crookneck squash, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and garlic. No recipe needed…..just chop your veggies and sauté in a cast iron pan.



Crispy chicken thighs baked with buttery Dutch potatoes, cherry tomatoes and garlic.



This one is from an older post but I have to include it – it’s a wonderfully flavorful bread. Roasted Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato Whole Wheat Bread. Original post is HERE



Ok, let’s surf over to Girlichef’s place and see what’s happening with this garlic party. Transport to her place HERE!


Happy National Garlic day, folks :-)