garlic
We know that garlic has been used by cooks since, at least, the time that history began to be written.  It gives our dishes such flavor; suchzing; such personality.Garlic can be used raw in pesto,sauteed in many a dish, roasted and used as a spread or accompaniment.The use of garlic, medicinally, is historically endorsed, as well.  Modern research confirms that garlic is a potent weapon in the battle against disease. “A 1999 study by S. Ankri and D. Mirelman shows that a compound within garlic called allicin is responsible for garlic’s antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiparasitic activity. It’s also been shown to combat drug-resistant strains of E. coli and could potentially battle some superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics. Allicin isn’t actually in garlic. A compound, alliin, and an enzyme, alliinase are part of the cells in a garlic clove. These two are kept separate, however, when those cell walls are ruptured, they meet and form the all-powerful and mighty allicin.”“A 2001 study by K. Song and J.A. Milner showed that heating, microwaving, or boiling crushed garlic destroyed all the alliinase enzyme activity within it. However, most dishes call for cooked garlic rather than raw.”

Since, there aren’t a lot of application of raw garlic, in ‘polite’ society, how do we get around this?

Studies have shown that cutting your garlic, at least ten minutes prior to cooking, allows the allicin to form.  Less will be destroyed by the cooking process.  An easy trick to improve health!  Garlic can easily be sliced, chopped, pressed or emulsified with a food processor.  I have a tiny little Cuisinart Mini-Prep Processor, that is fun to use.

Alas, many individuals seem to be sensitive to this ingredient. I have read a number of articles and posts regarding this.  If you fall into this category, when dining out, please be polite and patient explaining this need to your server.  So many people are simply afraid of potential bad breath and ‘abuse’ the word allergy.  This creates a nightmare for those with actual health consequences.  Take a look at my pages regarding dining out, for some suggestions.

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