If there is one ingredient that people depend on to add flavor, depth, and tastiness to a meal, garlic has to be near the top of the list. This wildly popular herb packs a real punch, as you don’t need much to get maximum results. Garlic is such a classic item that it’s believed to date back more than 7000 years according to scholars. It was used both as a food and for its medicinal purposes.
So is it any wonder that a fabulous and popular herb like this gets a special day? That’s right, April 19 is National Garlic Day, a day to celebrate all things garlic. Few herbs can boast as many taste and health benefits as garlic, but you may be asking what the best ways are to showcase it in cooking.
Here’s a look at 10 great recipes with garlic in them.
Homemade Caesar Salad
A great place to start is with a classic item that can be enjoyed as a main or a side, depending on the size. Caesar salad has been a staple on menus around the world for decades. It’s one of the most loved salads, so much so that people don’t just wait until they have it at a restaurant. Rather they have perfected the art of making Caesar salad at home.
You may find you need to play around with a few Caesar salad recipes until you find the one you like best. What they all have in common, however, is using garlic.
Honey Garlic Glaze
Rather than this being a whole dish, this is simply the sauce. Honey garlic glaze can be drizzled over chicken, ribs, pork chops, salmon, and more. One thing to remember as you make your honey garlic glaze is the thickness. Some people prefer a more watery version, whereas others prefer a thickness to it so it clings to the meat.
If you are a big fan of the glaze, you can even add it to sides like potatoes, asparagus, and carrots.
Pasta and Garlic Sauce
Here’s a great dish that allows you to add any extras that you fancy. Pasta with garlic sauce is basic and acts as a foundation. You can add protein such as shrimp or chicken, steamed or sauteed vegetables, and other herbs and spices. This can even work if you want to make a cold pasta salad that is perfect for picnicking in the summer.
Classic Risotto
And speaking of a foundation dish, classic risotto also leans heavily on garlic for its strong flavor. Just like with other pasta dishes, you can add anything you like to your risotto or eat it the way it is. Just be aware that since cooking risotto takes time, this isn’t usually a quick dinner idea. You can’t rush the cooking process or the dish will be ruined. So take your time with this one, and savor the results.
Roasted Garlic Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are often considered a comfort food because they are filling, warm, and tasty. And even though they taste great as they are, you can elevate the flavor and make it more sophisticated. If you want to create restaurant-quality mashed potatoes at home, use roasted garlic in the dish.
This takes a bit more time than traditional mashed potatoes, but the extra effort will be well worth it. Don’t be surprised if this recipe becomes a fast favorite dish.
Homemade Hummus
Anyone who loves hummus simply must try this homemade recipe that uses garlic as the star. Hummus in general is relatively easy to make, and the fresh stuff far outshines the store-bought versions. The dish consists of chickpeas, tahini, and garlic. The consistency should be smooth and creamy, and if you want to add a kick to it, try adding roasted red peppers.
Hawaiian Style Garlic Shrimp
Shrimp and garlic are one of the best pairings out there. But rather than a traditional garlic butter sauce or glaze, you can use additional spices and ingredients that give the shrimp more balance and depth. Hawaiian-style garlic shrimp calls for such ingredients as paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. The seasoned shrimp is perfect over cooked rice.
Garlic Sesame Sautéed Vegetables
Let’s face it, vegetables aren’t always the most exciting dish to eat. Typically people push them to the side on their plate, eating the “yummy stuff” first. Well, garlic can transform the way you cook your vegetables, giving them a more pleasing flavor. Using a garlic-sesame oil sauce to sauté the vegetables is simple and tasty. Throw in some scallions and a little salt and pepper and you have the perfect base.
As for what vegetables you can use in the mixture, try things such as spinach, kale, asparagus, and steamed broccoli or cauliflower. This garlic recipe allows for plenty of customization, allowing you to bump up the flavor as much as you want.
Garlic Knots
Garlic doesn’t always have to be the star of the meal, sometimes it appears in the sides and appetizers rather than the main dish. That’s certainly the case with garlic knots that can act as a side or a snack when you’re feeling a bit peckish. The garlic works beautifully with the puffy dough consistency of the knots. Don’t forget to top them with Kosher salt and freshly chopped parsley.
Garlic Brittle Cookies
We have to finish this list with something rather surprising and unlikely – a dessert recipe with garlic in it. You don’t typically think of blending garlic with sweetness, but somehow it works.
These garlic brittle cookies take everything you know and love about chocolate chip cookies, and then add a sophisticated flavor – garlic. Don’t be put off by how many cloves of garlic the recipe calls for, it’s all about trusting the process. The garlic combined with toasted walnuts, chocolate chips, and vanilla creates a fabulous and unique flavor.