Garlic 101

Fresh is always better and garlic is no exception. We haven’t yet gone over how to choose a head of garlic.

It’s best if you can select your garlic individually and not buy them already packaged in a box (I took poetic license for the photo). This way you will be able to feel it’s weight- the heavier the better, check for firmness- every side of it should be solid with nothing shriveled, and make sure that it is not sprouting. Color and size do not matter. Larger cloves will be easier to work with but don’t sacrifice any of the other characteristics to get a large clove.

Garlic is easy to store. Just keep your heads of garlic in a dark, cool, dry place. I keep mine in a covered basket at the end of the kitchen. If your garlic gets soft, toss it. There you have it. Next class? Intermediate Garlic!

Pop Quiz: Remember how to take the skin off a clove? See earlier blog ‘Take Off Your Coat’.