Tips for Using Fresh Garlic

Tips for Using Fresh Garlic

Chop it, slice it, smash it, or use a garlic press.... No matter how you decide to prep it and consume it, using fresh garlic is always best! 

No matter what method you choose to use for your garlic consumption, your sure to be reaping some of the amazing health benefits associated with garlic consumption; although, many studies suggest that cooking garlic at high temperatures de-actives the most beneficial enzymes naturally found in garlic (cooking garlic at low temperatures is said to be safe, as long as the garlic was lightly crushed, minced, or chopped first). (Also note, studies have shown that cooking garlic in the microwave kills all the enzymes and de-actives garlic's medicinal properties.) 

Interestingly enough, most people would think that using whole cloves of garlic would provide the strongest flavorings, when in fact, using smashed cloves actually provides the most intense flavors. Smashed cloves provide more intense flavoring than whole cloves do because when the cloves aren't smashed the juices and oils of whole garlic aren't released. 

The following is a good flavoring guide to go by for using fresh garlic:

•  Whole Cloves - Mild Flavor

•  Sliced Cloves - Mild Flavor

•  Chopped Cloves - Medium Flavor

•  Minced Cloves - Full Flavor

•  Smashed Cloves - Intense Flavor

Some other helpful tips regarding the preparation of fresh garlic include:

Cooking with fresh garlic is always better than using pre-jarred minced garlic or garlic powder (although many people tend to use those options because they are convenient). From my own experiences I know I found myself stumped the first few times I replaced garlic powder (for example) with fresh garlic in my recipes... I had no clue what the equivalent measurements were for my self-prepped fresh garlic in comparison to the measurements that were in my recipes calling for, let’s say for example1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Well, here is a table that I've been using as a guide, and it seems to be working so far, at least for me, so maybe it will work for you to!?

Fresh garlic equivalency guide:

•  One full garlic bulb   =     8 to 15 cloves

•  One small garlic clove   =     1/2 tsp. minced garlic or 1/8 tsp. garlic powder

•  One medium garlic clove   =         1 tsp. minced garlic or 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

•  One large garlic clove   =     1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic or 3/8 tsp. garlic powder

•  One extra large garlic clove   =    2 tsp. minced garlic or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

                                                (From: http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--1263/all-about-garlic.asp)

Don't throw out sprouting garlic... Plant it and grow your own fresh bulb of garlic!

Another great suggestion that I'd love to pass on to you (which I found out by chance), is that when your garlic cloves sprout on you before you get to cook them, instead of throwing them out, plant the cloves and you can grow yourself a whole new fresh bulb of garlic! Plant the sprouting cloves fairly close together in a container of potting soil or directly in the garden (if your climate permits doing so at the time).