Tips

Soak Garlic in Vinegar for a Crunchy, Appetizing Treat

"A common issue with pickled garlic is the tendency to turn green if not prepared correctly. With this simple additional step, you can ensure your garlic remains crisp, white, and aesthetically pleasing."

Administrator

6 August, 2024

Garlic is a familiar spice in the kitchens of many families. In addition to enhancing the flavor of dishes, eating raw garlic daily can provide several health benefits.

The health benefits of garlic are attributed to a compound it contains called allicin. Research has shown that allicin possesses various health-promoting properties, including the ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, thus benefiting cardiovascular health. Therefore, garlic can be beneficial for blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular support.

Additionally, other notable benefits of garlic include:

Cognitive Health Support

Raw garlic is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6, manganese, selenium, vitamin C, iron, potassium, and copper. This potent combination is particularly beneficial for cognitive function, as both vitamin B6 and magnesium are associated with improved mood and brain health.

Boosts the Immune System

Garlic is an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, about three cloves of garlic provide approximately three milligrams of vitamin C. To boost your immunity, consider adding some raw garlic to your meals.

Garlic’s Anti-inflammatory Properties

Garlic contains allyl sulfides, a compound with anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties that can help slow the growth of cancer cells. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory nature helps protect the body from harmful free radicals and oxidative stress.

Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Support

There are two types of cholesterol: “bad” LDL cholesterol and “good” HDL cholesterol. An imbalance, with too much LDL and not enough HDL, can lead to serious health issues.

Garlic has been shown to reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels by 10-15% without affecting your HDL or good cholesterol levels. If you have a family history of heart disease or are facing heart-related problems, incorporating garlic into your diet can be a natural and flavorful way to promote a healthier heart.

Cancer Prevention

The health benefits of garlic, particularly in cancer prevention, have gained increasing attention. According to several studies, women who regularly consume garlic, along with other vegetables and fruits, have a 35% lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.

However, experts believe that more research is needed in this area to fully understand the extent of garlic’s health benefits in cancer prevention.

Detoxification

Garlic is a potent detoxifying agent, stimulating the production of glutathione through various liver enzymes. It also provides other critical detoxifying components, including biologically active compounds like selenium and sulfur. By including garlic in your diet, you not only add a rich flavor to your meals but also support your body in performing the crucial task of detoxifying from modern-world pollutants.

Given its numerous health benefits, garlic is an excellent addition to your diet. Apart from incorporating it into your cooked dishes, you can also make pickled garlic to accompany noodle dishes like bún, miến, and phở. However, pickled garlic tends to turn green.

To prevent this, there’s a special step you can take to ensure your garlic stays crisp and white. After peeling the garlic cloves, cut them lengthwise into three sections or halves, depending on their size, and then soak them in a bowl of vinegar. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.

By adding this simple step, your pickled garlic will remain crisp and white for up to a month. Afterward, you can continue with the other steps to complete the dish.

Steps to Make Crispy, Delicious, and White Pickled Garlic

To ensure your pickled garlic turns out tasty and doesn’t turn green, choose older garlic bulbs with dry and unwrinkled outer skins.

Before pickling, thoroughly peel the garlic cloves. For a quicker and less eye-irritating process, soak them in a basin of water for 20 minutes before peeling.

Ingredients for Pickled Garlic:

– Native garlic

– Eating vinegar

– Seasoning powder

– Sugar

– Green and red rice grains

Rinse the rice grains, let them air dry, and remove the stems. Peel and slice the garlic lengthwise, then soak it in a bowl of vinegar, wrap the bowl in plastic, and refrigerate for an hour before transferring it to another bowl. Mix the garlic with the prepared sugar and seasoning powder for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

For the pickling jar, opt for a clean porcelain jar that is completely dry. Alternately layer the rice grains and garlic until the jar is full, then pour in enough vinegar to submerge the garlic. Tightly close the lid and store the jar in a cool, dry place for two days before transferring it to the refrigerator for long-term storage.

Note: Use clean chopsticks or spoons that haven’t been used for other dishes to handle the garlic.

According to Nguoiduatin

Frequently asked questions

Soaking garlic in vinegar creates a delicious, crunchy snack with a unique flavor. The process also has health benefits, as it helps to preserve the allicin in garlic, a compound with potent medicinal properties.

The garlic should be soaked for at least 24 hours in vinegar. This ensures the cloves become sufficiently crunchy and flavorful.

Any type of vinegar can be used, but apple cider vinegar is particularly tasty and healthy. It has a slightly sweeter flavor that pairs well with garlic.

Yes, it is best to peel the garlic cloves before soaking them. This ensures the vinegar can penetrate the clove fully, and also makes for an easier eating experience.

Absolutely! You can experiment with adding herbs and spices to the vinegar for extra flavor. Some popular options include rosemary, thyme, and red pepper flakes.

The garlic cloves will last for several weeks if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They are best consumed within a month, as the flavor and texture will start to deteriorate over time.