Indian cuisine uses a variety of ingredients to add flavour to the food. From various local herbs like curry leaves to exotic spices like saffron, one can find a punch of infinite flavours in Indian cooking. But there are some spices and herbs that are staple in the cuisine and are added to multiple dishes. Garlic is one such ingredient. Belonging to the family of onion, this edible bulb is extensively used in Indian kitchen. Mostly paired with onion and ginger, garlic is used to prepare the base of most masala sauces. It is due to its unique pungent and spicy flavour that it is said to be a key ingredient for seasoning.
Also Read: 5 Best Ways To Use Roasted Garlic
This super useful bulb is also healthy as it is packed with antifungal and antibacterial properties. It is rich in vitamin C, B6 and manganese, along with being low in calories that helps in protecting the body against illness such as common cold. Garlic is also a good source of calcium, phosphorus and selenium that makes it extremely beneficial for winters. Adding this magical herb in your daily diet during this season also improves immunity system. Garlic is loaded with antioxidants that helps in detoxifying and increasing metabolism, hence good for weight loss as well.
Here are four garlic recipes that you can savour during winters to keep yourself warm and healthy.
1. Garlic Chutney
Garlic chutney, also referred as lehsun chutney, is a classic dip that is made with garlic, coconut, ground nuts and chilli peppers. Cumin and tamarind are also used sometimes, to enhance the flavour. This spicy and flavourful condiment goes well with most snacks and breakfast dishes. It can also be used as a spread in various sandwiches.
2. Garlic Soup
With garlic as main ingredient, this soup is packed with nutrients that can keep you safe during the chilly weather. This creamy soup makes a perfect meal when served with a toasted garlic bread. It can be made healthier by adding chicken broth and egg yolk.
3. Garlic Paratha
This lip-smacking paratha is flavoured with chilli and garlic. Suitable for both lunch as well as dinner, it can be paired with pickle, curd or any kind of vegetable curry. Just prepare a wheat flour dough along with garlic paste, oil and salt, then top it with butter and finely chopped chilli-garlic, while cooking the paratha on tawa and done.
4. Garlic Rasam
Also known as poondu rasam, this traditional side dish is perfect to pair with rice, idiyappam or dosa. Tempered with garlic and other spices, this South Indian soup can also help to cure cough and cold. You can add veggies of your choice in this spicy rasam to make it healthier.
5. Lehsun Ki Kheer
Also known as benami kheer, this unique sweet dish is prepared with garlic as one of the key ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup slivers of garlic
- A pinch of saffron
- Sugar as per taste
- 1/8 tsp green cardamom powder
- 1/4th cup vinegar
Method:
- Cut the garlic into thin slivers and soak them in vinegar for half an hour.
- Wash them in boiling water around four times to release the pungency and vinegar.
- Keep a few slivers aside.
- Boil the milk and a heavy bottomed pan and add the saffron to it along with the cardamom powder.
- When it reduces to 3/4th the quantity, add the slivers of garlic.
- Reduce the milk to half and then add in the sugar and mix well.
- In another pan, sauté the garlic in little butter until crisp and light brown.
- Serve warm or chilled with the garnishing of the fried garlic.
Indulge in these garlic recipes and enjoy winters.