Homemade Garlic Paste Recipe
Easy homemade garlic paste recipe! How to make garlic paste in a few simple steps. Learn how to create a fresh and convenient homemade garlic paste. This easy homemade garlic paste recipe is ideal for dressings, stews, garlic bread, and even homemade pizza.
This easy homemade garlic paste recipe is a breeze to prepare and can be conveniently made ahead and stored for later use!
As someone who always seeks shortcuts in the kitchen, I'm all about finding ways to streamline the cooking process. While I love the flavor garlic adds to dishes, I must admit that the extra step of mincing isn't exactly my favorite, that's why I love this homemade garlic paste recipe. Using garlic paste when cooking is a hassle-free way to infuse your dishes with the delicious flavor of garlic, eliminating the need for mincing or chopping repeatedly. With garlic paste, you need to peel and chop the garlic slightly, but you're essentially doing your peeling and mincing all in one go, rather than every time you prepare a meal. You can purchase pre-peeled garlic cloves to further simplify the garlic paste process.
Why garlic paste?
Garlic paste provides garlic flavor without the texture of chopped or minced garlic. It blends smoothly into dishes, ensuring an even distribution of garlic flavor without minced garlic pieces. This can be particularly desirable in recipes where you want a consistent flavor throughout the dish without the risk of biting into chunks of garlic. This Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe for example calls for garlic, opting for garlic paste is preferable because it eliminates the presence of minced garlic bits.
Homemade Ranch Dressing HERE
What is homemade garlic paste?
Homemade garlic paste is a blend of garlic cloves and olive oil, offering a convenient make-ahead option for recipes requiring garlic. It's perfect for preparing homemade salad dressings too. In my homemade salad dressings, I aim for the desired garlic flavor without the presence of minced garlic bits. Opting for a smooth dressing, garlic paste serves as the perfect solution.
What can homemade garlic paste be used for?
Homemade garlic paste can be used in various dishes to add flavor. It can be used as a base for marinades, sauces, or dressings, added to soups, stews, or stir-fries, spread on bread or toast, mixed into mashed potatoes or other vegetable dishes, or used to flavor meats, poultry, or seafood before cooking. It's a versatile ingredient that can enhance the taste of many different types of cuisine.
How do I store homemade garlic paste?
This homemade garlic paste recipe offers a convenient storage solution in either the fridge or freezer. To store homemade garlic paste, you can follow these steps:
Transfer the garlic paste into an airtight container. Glass jars or small containers with tight-fitting lids work well. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
If you prefer to store it in the freezer for longer-term storage, you can spoon the paste into ice cube trays and freeze it. Once frozen, transfer the garlic cubes into a freezer-safe bag or container for easy storage. Frozen garlic paste can last for several months. Remember to label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.
Tips
One garlic clove equals 1/2 teaspoon of garlic paste.
Customize your garlic paste by adding herbs such as parsley, cilantro, or basil for an extra burst of flavor.
To save time, you can make a larger batch of garlic paste and freeze it in small portions for future use. Ice cube trays are ideal for freezing garlic paste, as each cube provides a perfect portion size.
How to make garlic paste.
I prefer roasted garlic when making garlic paste because it offers a sweeter, milder flavor compared to raw garlic. This works especially well in dishes like garlic bread, sliders, mashed potatoes, or as a rub for roasted chicken. Learn how to roast garlic HERE. Add this delicious roasted garlic to my homemade honey mustard dressing recipe HERE.
Ingredients
• Fresh garlic cloves (approximately 5 heads)
• A pinch of salt (optional)
• Olive oil-1-2 tablespoons (start with 1/2 tablespoon adding more if needed.
Instructions
Step 1: Selecting and Preparing the Garlic
Start by selecting fresh, firm garlic bulbs.
Look for bulbs that feel heavy for their size and have tightly packed cloves. Using a chef's knife, trim off the root end of each clove and peel away the papery skin.
Step 2: Crushing the Garlic
Using a food processor or a mortar and pestle.
Food Processor: Place the peeled garlic cloves into the bowl of a food processor. Add a pinch of salt if desired (this helps to break down the garlic and intensifies its flavor). Add 1/2 tablespoon of the oil to start, adding more oil as needed. Pulse the garlic until it forms a coarse paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Mortar and Pestle: For a more traditional approach, add a few garlic cloves at a time to a mortar along with a pinch of salt and 1/2 tablespoon of oil to start. Use the pestle to crush the garlic into a smooth paste, working in a circular motion until the desired consistency is achieved.
Step 3: Storing Garlic Paste
Transfer the freshly made garlic paste into an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you'd like to prolong its shelf life, cover the surface of the paste with a thin layer of olive oil before sealing the container.
Making homemade garlic paste is a simple yet rewarding process that can enhance the flavor of food and save time in the kitchen. By following these easy steps and experimenting with different techniques and additions, you'll soon be creating flavorful garlic paste that will elevate your cooking.
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