SaurabhGarlic is one of the most important ingredients of all cuisines around the world. It is a part of the lily family, together with onions, leeks, and shallots. People like this ingredient because of its unique flavor and aroma. And it is generally used as a flavoring ingredient.
It grows underground covered with inedible skin. Underneath is the edible bulb made from 10 to 20 cloves. The cloves are enclosed in skin too, which needs to be removed so you could use the yellowish flesh -the edible part of the garlic clove.
There is a trick for removing the skin from the garlic clove. Press down the clove with the flat side of the knife and the skin will peel off easily, you can also use special tools for peeling the garlic.
Peeled garlic can be chopped, sliced, minced, grated, pressed, or crushed depending on the dish you are preparing. The more you handle your garlic more allicin (a compound that gives garlic its unique smell) is released.
Can You Replace Garlic with Garlic Powder? Garlic can be replaced with garlic powder because garlic powder is made from dried garlic. Use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for one clove of garlic.
How to Cook With Garlic?
Garlic is often used in dishes that are roasted, baked, sauteed, or braised. It’s also part of soups, sauces, spice rubs, stir-frys, and marinades. It adds flavor to sausages, meatballs, and other ground meat items. You can also roast an entire bulb of garlic and use it as a spread.
It is usually cooked but it can be used and raw. Raw garlic has a strong flavor that changes into nutty and milder if cooked in some way. You can find it in stores raw but also in different forms like minced, powder, chopped garlic, freeze-dried, or in jars with olive oil.
Always have in mind that anything other than fresh garlic will have a different taste. All, minced garlic, chopped garlic, and crushed garlic have different flavors. Chopped garlic has a milder flavor, minced garlic and crushed garlic both have a stronger flavor than garlic powder.
Garlic powder
This powder is made from fine grounded dehydrated garlic. It can be used in any recipe that calls for fresh or dried garlic.
It has a concentrated and intense flavor and works well for marinades, salads, dressings, soups, sauces, rubs, chicken meat, pork meat, ground beef, and many other dishes. Garlic powder is also used for making garlic salt and spice mix.
If you want to make garlic powder at home all you need is some fresh garlic. Just separate the bulb into cloves, peel them, and cut them into thin slices.
You can use an oven or food dehydrator. In the oven place, the garlic slices on a baking paper in one layer and heat at 150F (65,5C) dry it until it can be crushed easily.
When cold grind it and put it in a jar or spice container. It’s important to shake the jar every day so that any remaining moisture is evenly spread through the powder to prevent mold.
Garlic powder is less nutritious than fresh garlic. But it can be a perfect substitute if you don’t have fresh garlic at home.
Minced garlic can be a great substitute for garlic powder. You can even make it at home. If you don’t have garlic powder you can substitute with the same amounts of minced garlic or one medium-sized fresh garlic clove for every 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Minced garlic
Minced garlic is finely chopped garlic, and it’s better for sauces, dressings, stir-fries, or sauteed dishes where you don’t want big pieces of garlic inside.
There are few ways to mince garlic. You can do it with a kitchen knife to cut cloves into very small pieces and then scrape them with the side of the knife, with a grater, or you could use a garlic press.
Whatever way you choose the result will be satisfying, you will have small minced garlic pieces. It’s better to mince garlic right before you add it to your dish.
However, if you don’t intend to use it put it in a container in the fridge. Minced garlic should be used one hour after chopping. If it sits longer it can become very bitter.
9 Best substitutes for minced garlic
Minced garlic should be added to the pan after you add other ingredients like onion, carrots, celery, or shallots because it burns easily.
It can also be found in jars, but it doesn’t have the same flavor as the fresh garlic, and there are some other added ingredients in the jar too. So it’s better to go for fresh garlic, but if you don’t have it use garlic powder. They a good each other’s substitute.
This ingredient is great for quick-cooking dishes where strong garlic flavor is welcome, like pasta sauces or sauteed vegetables. It has a stronger flavor than garlic powder, so the taste and aroma will be more intense.
Except for garlic powder, there are some other minced garlic substitutes in case you don’t have minced garlic on hand.
- Garlic salt
- Garlic flakes
- Granulated garlic
- Garlic juice
- Asafetida
- Onions
- Rocambole
- Shallots
- Garlic chives
You can try each of these substitutes when you don’t have garlic and see what works best for you and your meals.
How Much Fresh Garlic is Equal to Garlic Powder?
One medium-sized clove of fresh garlic is equal to 1/8teaspoon of garlic powder.
Is Garlic Powder the Same as Fresh Garlic?
It’s made from fresh dried garlic. Using garlic powder is more simple than fresh garlic except for the fact that fresh garlic has more vitamins and minerals. Therefore, and higher nutritional value.
Is Minced Garlic the Same as Garlic Granules?
Minced garlic and garlic granules have a different texture. Garlic granules are rough compared to minced garlic. They are made of dried garlic grounded in granules and give garlic flavor to dishes. Garlic granules are best used in soups, marinades, and sauces.
How Much Time Can Minced Garlic Last?
A homemade jar of minced garlic can last up to three months in the refrigerator. Store-bought minced garlic, on the other hand, has added preservatives for longer shelf life.
How to Store Garlic?
Garlic should be stored in a cold, dark, dry place because light and moisture can cause mold to grow.
How to Make Garlic Salt at Home?
Garlic salt can be made with fresh garlic or garlic powder. Just mix one part of garlic powder with three parts of salt and store them in a container or jar.
For salt made with fresh garlic, you will need 1 ½ head of garlic and 1 cup of salt. Mix the mix of garlic and salt, and spread it on baking paper. Bake at 180F(82C) for an hour until it gets dry and crisp. Blend the cold mixture and store it in a jar or container for about three months.
How to Make Garlic Butter?
Garlic butter is fairly easy to make. Just follow the next instructions and you will enjoy delicious garlic spread in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened at room temperature
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- Salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions:
Beat the butter until smooth, add the garlic, parsley, salt, and lemon juice. Mix until combined.
Summary
Before it becomes a kitchen ingredient garlic was used for medical purposes to treat and prevent illness. Garlic contains antioxidants that protect the cells from damage and aging.
It can also reduce blood pressure, decrease the level of bad cholesterol, and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Garlic is known as” Russian penicillin” because of its anti-bacterial properties, and ability to fight viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
It’s suggested to use from half to one clove per day. Otherwise, it can cause diarrhea, gas, nausea, vomiting, and bleeding. Everything considered garlic is an important ingredient in the kitchen but it’s also good to improve your health.
