Health Wise
Right from the golden, olden days, garlic has been the harbinger of good health. Here’s why:
- Garlic is rich in Vitamins A, B and C as well as plenty of minerals including iron, iodine, potassium, zinc, selenium, calcium and magnesium.
- It is also proven that this precious ingredient prevents cardiovascular diseases by making the arteries more elastic and less prone to hardening.
- Garlic is packed with antibacterial and antiviral properties; hence it boosts immunity against illness and infections.
- When crushed, this ingredient produces a healing component called allicin.
- Since it has antioxidants properties, it is believed that garlic slows the ageing process and also helps prevent cancer.
- The anti-inflammatory properties in garlic help people to combat arthritis, rheumatism and gout.
- The probiotics in garlic are nothing but live bacteria which while travelling through the gut into the large bowel, increases the number of good bacteria in the system.
- Garlic is also considered to be the best liver purifier, cleansing it of mercury, food additives and excess hormones.
So, a garlic clove a day can keep the doctor away. However, most people do not know the correct way of enhancing the benefits of garlic. Many home chefs mistakenly cook garlic immediately after crushing or chopping it. To maximise the health benefits, you should crush the garlic at room temperature and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. That triggers an enzyme reaction that boosts the healthy compounds in garlic.
Raw Appeal
Consuming a whole clove of raw garlic can be unappetizing and unpalatable; it may also have you reaching for your breath mints to ward off the bad odour in your mouth. And in spite of it being a wonder bulb, too much of raw garlic can give your digestive system some problems. Moderation is the mantra when it comes to garlic consumption. Disguise the rawness and have it crushed, grated or chopped and added as an ingredient to your favourite dishes.
- Mix grated garlic with your regular butter and apply it on toast: your version of garlic bread is ready.
- Grind a few cloves of garlic with scraped coconut, tamarind pulp, red chillies and salt to make yummy garlic chutney which can be enjoyed with spicy parathas or roti.
- You could also try mixing minced garlic with hummus, mayonnaise, salsa or cheese dip. Serve with bread, baked snacks or salted biscuits. Yummy and healthy!
- Add half a tablespoon of finely chopped garlic to any salad that you are tossing. This will help you imbibe the benefits of garlic subtly without its flavour overwhelming the entire dish.
Cooked Delight
If you just cannot bring yourself to eat it raw, do not press the panic button. There are many culinary avenues open to you to have it in a cooked form.
- Cook 1 tablespoon of minced garlic in boiling chicken stock till it acquires soup like thickness. Season with salt and pepper and relish this chicken soup for the soul.
- Add crushed garlic cloves to rasam to augment the flavour and the health quotient of the traditional South Indian meal staple.
- Garlic pickles can be a tangy and fun way to have the herb with all its health-boosting power.
- Most Oriental dishes require a healthy quantity of garlic in them to bring out their essence. Take your pick from among chilli chicken, vegetable Manchurian, chicken in garlic sauce and myriad other Mandarin delights.