When it comes to hair care, we’re always on the lookout for that miracle ingredient. Something that will take our hair from blah to wow. Enter black garlic – the unsung hero of the hair care world. At Black Garlic North America, we’re excited to share how this powerhouse ingredient can revolutionize your hair routine.
Read moreUnlocking the Mysteries of Black Garlic
Let's delve into the fascinating world of fresh black garlic right here at Black Garlic North America. If you're scratching your head wondering what it is, you're not alone. Black garlic isn't your typical garlic—it's been transformed through a magical process that turns ordinary cloves into something extraordinary.
The Transformation Process: From Ordinary to Extraordinary
Wondering how garlic turns from white bulbs to sweet, tangy black cloves? It's all about the magic of time and temperature. Unlike its raw counterpart, black garlic undergoes a slow fermentation process under controlled conditions of low heat and high humidity. This transformative journey takes several weeks, during which the garlic cloves turn jet black and develop a unique taste profile that's nothing short of mind-blowing.
Read moreUnlocking the Richness of Fermented Black Garlic: A Culinary Marvel
At Wisconsin Fermentation Company, we delve into the depths of culinary exploration to bring you a tantalizing experience with our fermented black garlic. Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, our commitment to quality and innovation drives us to unlock the richness of this unique ingredient, offering a symphony of flavor that captivates the senses.
Read moreUnveiling the Craft: Black Garlic Manufacturers and Their Art Introduction to Black Garlic
Black garlic has taken the culinary world by storm. This unique ingredient, known for its sweet and savory profile, is a product of meticulous fermentation.
Read moreRecipe of the Week: Black Garlic Compound Butter
Spread it on toast, rub it on your roast chicken, eat it with steak or vegetables, or eat it plain! (Just kidding...it's way better with something else delicious)
Read moreHappy Grilled Cheese Day! Black Garlic Grilled Cheese Recipe!
Even if everyone agreed that the Grilled Cheese Sandwich was the best sandwich, we could expect that there would still be debate among fans about the best bread, spread and cheese to use in their melty creations! Sourdough or white? Pickles or tomatoes? Mayo or butter? Muenster or sharp cheddar? I could go on and on, but I would suggest that the best way to enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich is… any way you want! And, if you need some cheesy inspiration, follow this recipe for a savory Black Garlic Grilled Cheese Sandwich, and let us know how you revised it to make it your own!
Read moreA Crash Course on Eating Plant-Based
Black garlic satisfies a plant-based diet and adds flavor to just about any recipe, even cocktails! These lovely cloves provide a touch of sweetness to vegan dressings, add umami depth to homemade veggie burgers, and introduce a subtle black garlic flavor in roasted veggies. We even offer organic black garlic, all sourced in North America!
Read moreBlack Pepper Tofu with Black Garlic Sauce
Black Pepper Tofu with Black Garlic Sauce
Living a vegan lifestyle is probably the best thing you can do for the planet. By shunning animal products, you’re supporting a more sustainable way of life that will provide future generations with a planet they can be proud of.
But while there are many benefits to becoming a vegan, it can be tricky (particularly when you first make the transition) to maintain an exciting and varied diet that doesn’t incorporate meat or dairy.
Thankfully, these days there are plenty of protein-packed substitutions that make dishes just as delicious – if not more so – than a carnivorous diet!
The humble tofu is our go-to when it comes to creating healthy and exciting dinners that are packed full of flavor and intrigue. Many of our meat-eating friends love it when we cook for them, as a vegan diet has encouraged us to become braver and more experimental with flavor profiles to create dishes that are a treat for the taste buds!
One of our absolute favorite ingredients at the moment is the elusive black garlic. It’s less common than the standard garlic cloves you might be familiar with and offers a delectably sweet and syrupy taste with hints of flavor that are reminiscent of balsamic vinegar and tamarind, perfect for Asian cooking.
Black garlic is much softer than fresh garlic, making it easy to transform into a paste, but Black Garlic North America provides a black garlic purée that can save you the time! This makes it absolutely perfect to create flavorful sauces or even transform into a marinade for tofu or any other meal.
If you’re ready to try a delicious Asian-inspired vegan dish that utilizes the versatility of the humble tofu with the incredible and complex notes of black garlic... Then look no further!
As with any tofu recipe, it’s vital to press the tofu before you start cooking to ensure you don’t end up with a flavorless white blob that’s impossible to enjoy. Taking a bit of extra time preparing your tofu will make all the difference in this dish, as will leaving it to marinate for as long as possible before you start cooking.
Black Pepper Tofu with Black Garlic Sauce
We infused our tofu with a black pepper sauce for a more in-depth flavor profile for this recipe and then created an incredible black garlic sauce to flow through the entire dish. We also added some broccoli for a touch of greenery and served it with perfectly cooked Asian rice noodles.
Ingredients
For the tofu
· 1 block extra-firm tofu
· 1 tbsp vegetable oil
· 1 tbsp rice vinegar
· ½ cup black pepper sauce (store-bought or you could make your own in advance)
· 1 tsp sesame oil
For the sauce
· 1 head Black Garlic North America brand Black Garlic
· 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
· ¾ cups low sodium soy sauce
· 3 tbsp rice vinegar
· 1 tsp sesame oil
To finish
· 8oz rice noodles, cooked
· 2 broccoli heads, cut into florets and steamed
Method
1. Use a tofu press or DIY tofu pressing method to remove any excess moisture from your extra-firm tofu.
2. Once all moisture has been squeezed out, cut the tofu into 5 slices, and then cut each slice into 4 pieces.
3. Create the tofu marinade by combining the tofu ingredients (excluding the extra-firm tofu pieces) in a medium-sized bowl.
4. Add the tofu to your black pepper marinade and toss until it’s entirely coated by the sauce.
5. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours, or overnight.
6. Once the tofu has finished marinating, heat the sesame oil in a large skillet.
7. Add the tofu to the sesame oiled skillet and fry on medium heat for 6-8 minutes on either side. The tofu should be nice and crispy.
8. While your tofu fries, combine all the sauce ingredients together in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil before reducing down to a simmer.
9. Simmer the sauce for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, then pour it into a food processor and pulse until it’s smooth.
10. Add half the smooth sauce to the tofu along with the cooked rice noodles and broccoli.
11. Cook everything for 2-3 minutes, tossing to combine.
12. Serve in bowls with the rest of the black garlic sauce.
“What is black garlic?” and other frequently asked questions!
What is Black Garlic? What does black garlic taste like? How do I use black garlic? Where can I buy black garlic? We're here to answer all of your burning questions about this curious little black clove!
Read moreWe've Changed Our Look (Not Our Black Garlic)
Things are going to start looking different – on our website, on social media, and our product packaging. And our team at Black Garlic North America is excited to share our changes with you! You will be seeing these visual identity changes happening over the course of the next few months, and we are looking forward to consistency. But these aren’t the only changes you will see.
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