Garlic is something most people use when they cook to enhance the flavor of dishes. Garlic powder is still a great way to add flavor and depth to a dish while getting all the health benefits of garlic, but fresh is definitely best.
We recently talked about roasting garlic for a beautiful way to enjoy this spice. If you love all things garlic, then this list will help you find more ways to make it the star of the show instead of having a supporting role.
Grill it
Grilling it has a similar effect to roasting garlic. And it’s a wonderful way to delight your guests at your last barbecue before tucking the grill away until the weather warms up again. The trick is to peel most of the papery skin off but leaving one or two layers intact, set it in foil, drizzle with olive oil, and then place it on the center rack of your grill for about 45 minutes.
Brush up your bruschetta
Tomatoes tend to be the dominant ingredient in bruschetta, but we can let garlic have its moment in the sun. Use 2 to 3 tomatoes, fresh basil, oregano, and olive oil along with 6 minced garlic cloves to make the garlic flavor most pronounced.
Say it with salsa
Salsa is another one where the tomato typically has the starring role. But if you add more garlic to it, your salsa will really be on fire in a whole new way. One great way to make it amazing is to use your roasted garlic in it. You can also use fresh minced garlic AND roasted garlic for an unbelievable contrast.
Marry it to marinade
Marinade is meant for garlic, and garlic for marinade. Don’t let it take a backseat though. Let garlic shine! Make an Asian-style marinade with soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon, fresh ginger, scallions, and heaps of minced garlic. Even if you use a store-bought marinade, you can jazz it up by adding more garlic.
Make it replace butter
Look, we love butter, but putting it on everything isn’t the best idea. If you want to have the best baked potato of your life, cut some calories without cutting the flavor by using mashed roasted garlic instead. You won’t even miss the butter! Just add a few fresh chives or parsley and you’ll be in heaven!
Infuse olive oil for better cooking
Ever seen those beautiful decorative bottles of olive oil with garlic and other fresh herbs? It’s the perfect way to add a drizzle of garlicky flavor to anything from salads and fresh veggies to cooked dishes. You can buy it ready to go or you can make your own garlic and herb-infused creations. Bonus: it looks pretty on your kitchen counter!
Ready to eat more garlic? You really should. With all that flavor and those amazing health benefits, it’s tough to say no to!