Garlic - A Kitchen Must Have

I can't imagine a kitchen without garlic. It enhances any sauce, making it more robust. It gives punch to stir fried dishes. It livens up any salad dressing. Yet what do we really know about this amazing plant?

Garlic is a member of the onion family and is closely related to leeks and shallots. We use the cloves or seeds for planting or cooking. A variation of its' Latin name, allium salivum is still used by the Italians, aglia and the French ail

The Egyptians first grew garlic as far back as 3200 BC. Like today, it was used for medicinal purposes.It was even given to the slaves building the pyramids to improve their strength and was the cure all of its' day. The ancient Greeks picked up on this and used to cure everything from dog bites to leprosy. Ironically enough the inhabitants of what is now modern day Transylvania used it as a repellent - not against vampires but against pesky mosquitoes. Unfortunately not everyone was enamored of it. English and American colonists hated garlic because of the stench it left. it started to become more acceptable in American cuisines thanks to the Italians bringing over their good food to these shores. US home cooks and restaurant chefs then began to use it to liven up bland and boring sauces and salads.

Garlic has a lot of health benefits. It can kill bacteria more effectively than penicillin (the ancient Greeks were on to something then). Garlic is rich in vitamins A , B, and C and it's sulfuric properties help detoxify the liver and regulate sugar. It's actually considered the all natural alternative to Viagra In fact there's a Palestinian custom about the bridegroom wearing a garlic bulb in his lapel to ensure for a happy start to married life.

Every kitchen should have a garlic bulb. It's not only a great way to season dishes but also one that will add years to our lives.