Candied garlic: The delicious, easy-to-make spread offering exceptional health benefits
4:33 AM EST, February 12, 2024
Garlic is a grocery item that doesn't make it onto everyone's plates. Much like horseradish, it has its genuine fans as well as staunch critics. This divide is primarily due to garlic's distinct taste and smell. Consequently, the spread we're discussing today may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, garlic enthusiasts are sure to love it.
The benefits of eating garlic
Consuming garlic, or a spread made from candied garlic, provides numerous health benefits, a fact recognized even by our ancient ancestors. Over 1500 years before the birth of Christ, ancient Egyptian physicians were already utilizing it for medicinal purposes. Subsequently, garlic received praise from the likes of Hippocrates.
Modern scientific understanding grants us a detailed appreciation of garlic's virtues. It transpires that it possesses antiviral and antibacterial properties and aids in reducing blood pressure, sugar levels, and harmful cholesterol. Furthermore, garlic acts as a preventive against cancer. Regular consumption of this product, according to scientists, can lower the risk of prostate and colon cancer.
Garlic as a spread
Having established the health advantages of consuming garlic, it's worth discussing its practical usage. Given garlic's potent taste and smell, some people might find it challenging to consume it raw. Do not worry; there is a solution. You can also create a spread from garlic – one that retains the health benefits but reduces the aftertaste. What do you need? Only three ingredients: garlic, olive oil, and rosemary.
Firstly, separate the garlic into cloves and peel them. Move them to an ovenproof dish, cover with the oil, and season with fresh rosemary twigs. Bake in an oven preheated to 248 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour and a half.
The resulting garlic (from a process known as candying) will be very soft, making it easy to spread on a sandwich. The resulting aromatic, delicate spread, slightly rosemary flavored (you can add salt if desired), is a fantastic alternative to regular butter. Bon appétit!
