Those who follow the vegan diet do more than skip meat at the dining room table. Vegans also avoid foods that can come from animals themselves, such as eggs, milk and honey. One shouldn’t associate veganism with restriction, however! For example, eggs can be substituted with scrambled tofu, cow’s milk can be exchanged for plant-based milk (think Almond and Oat Milk) maple syrup can be used instead of honey, and you can still eat as much of our black garlic as you want!
Read moreBlack Garlic Recipe of the Week: Roasted Pumpkin & Black Garlic Hummus
It’s a busy time of year; the leaves need raking, the gutters need cleaning, and the pumpkin spice lattes need drinking! You have probably gone to at least one farmer’s market to pick up pumpkins and local produce, you unpacked the storage bins of fall coats and boots, and you are probably also thinking ahead to the upcoming holidays! Plus, there is still the matter of the Covid pandemic spreading throughout our campuses, complexes and country.
Take a deep breath.
If fall has you stressed, then I hope you will do whatever you need to do in order to appreciate these short and beautiful days and enjoy what is most important to you. I can get pretty worked up by the idea of checking off everything on the fall to-do list but, as I grow older, I am learning to appreciate experiencing the joys of the season at my own pace instead of rushing through as many fall activities as possible. If I don’t get to go apple picking, AND decorate the porch, AND carve jack-o-lanterns, AND jump in a leaf pile, AND take my niece to the maze, and, and, and… well, I will be alright.
So far, I’ve gotten apples and Dunek’s Maple Syrup so that I can make my healthy apple crisp recipe, and I have planned my drive up the Mississippi River to look at the fall colors. (You can view where the colors are changing in Wisconsin, and predictions of color change timelines in your county via Travel Wisconsin’s Fall Color Report). I haven’t done much, but I also didn’t get ahead of myself and start Pumpkin Spice Season - #PSL - in August like Starbucks (as far as I am concerned, it is STILL paddle boarding season)!
If you find the time, and enjoy playing around in the kitchen, then try this simple recipe that combines the pumpkin spice spirit with our sweet black garlic! The Recipe of the Week: Roasted Pumpkin and Black Garlic Hummus by Chef Eliana from ChefEliana.com is a one-step hummus recipe with only eight ingredients, and it’s so pretty that it will easily double as a fall table decoration (for the brief five minutes it takes for your family to devour it)! Chef Eliana has a printable version of this recipe on her Recipe Page, if you prefer paper to tablets in your kitchen.
If you are crafty in the kitchen, let us know how you are combining Pumpkin and Black Garlic! Have you tried our Black Garlic Powder on Pumpkin Seeds, or attempted The Kelly Diet’s hearty recipe for Quinoa Pumpkin Chili? Send us a DM on one of our socials, we would love to see what you create (links in the footer)!
Black Garlic Recipe of the Week:
Roasted Pumpkin & Black Garlic Hummus
By Chef Eliana from ChefEliana.com
Photo by Derick McKinney on Unsplash {used with permission} Thanks, Derick!
Ingredients
1 c. chickpeas
1/2 c. roasted pumpkin
1 tbsp. tahini
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 c. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. white pepper
Directions
Blend all ingredients in a food processor until combined and smooth.
Shop Black Garlic for this Recipe!
Black Garlic Buttered Sweet Corn
Black Garlic Buttered Sweet Corn
Everything is better with Black Garlic
The simplest way to enjoy this treat is to sprinkle savory Black Garlic Powder onto buttery grilled sweet corn. After you taste it, we know you will be using black garlic powder just as much as salt and pepper in your everyday cooking. But my personal favorite way to enjoy Black Garlic Buttered Sweet Corn is to make a Black Garlic Compound Butter in advance, and then drench the ears in the mixture (make extra as it is truly addicting and can be used later on hot noodles, toasted bbq buns, roasted veggies, drizzled on steak or chicken wings, and also as a popcorn topping!)
Read more8 Summer Black Garlic Recipes – Food Inspiration for the Fourth of July!
It may surprise you to know that black garlic goes well in so many recipes, including desserts. Which is why we are sharing 8 Summer Black Garlic Recipes that you can try on the holiday weekend and all through the summer; you will see just how diverse black garlic truly is! Whatever your diet, we are sure there will be something for you in our list. Black Garlic from Black Garlic North America is natural, vegan, Kosher, preservative-free and made with only one ingredient: fresh garlic. We even provide Certified Organic!
Read moreCelebrating Cinco de Mayo (And Taco Tuesday)!
5 Ways to Use Black Garlic in Cinco de Mayo-Inspired Creations!
Grilled Corn with Lime, Photo Credit: Fernando Prado from Unsplash
Contrary to what some people outside of Mexico believe, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day or Dia de la Independencia, which falls on September 16th. According to HISTORY’s article “Cinco de Mayo:” “Cinco de Mayo… celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War… also known as Battle of Puebla Day.”
The Battle of Puebla is inspiring; telling the story of 6,000 well-armed and trained French troops eventually retreating from a group of only 2,000 Mexican men. Not only were the Mexican troops outnumbered 3 to 1, they were also not as heavily armed as their opponents. Yet, 500 French soldiers were killed in the Battle of Puebla, while less than 100 Mexicans perished in the battle before the French retreated.
Today, many celebrate Mexican culture and heritage on Cinco de Mayo. Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, there would be Cinco de Mayo parades and parties in many communities, but social distancing rules will certainly affect how Cinco de Mayo is celebrated today.
Despite the unusual times we are currently experiencing, we can still celebrate Mexican culture with music, dance, and especially with food! If you are making delicious goodies in the kitchen this Cinco de Mayo then we hope you will invite Black Garlic to be a part of your celebration! Here are 5 simple ways you can use black garlic in your cooking today or any day you are craving these delicious dishes!
1. Tortilla Chips + Black Garlic Powder
Tortilla Chips, Photo By Roberto Carlos Roman
I wouldn’t dream of skipping the heaping bowl of tortilla chips on my dining room table this year, and you shouldn’t either! Elevate these crunchy delights to the next level by sprinkling black garlic powder on the warm chips before munching. You will taste that this addictive teaser can be even MORE addictive with black garlic. That’s it – how easy is that?!
Ready to make your own Tortilla Chips this year? Try this fun Homemade Tortilla Chips Recipe from Elise Bauer at Simply Recipes – just don’t forget to add black garlic powder to the recipe!
2. Salsa & Guac + Black Garlic Puree or Black Garlic Cloves
Salsa & Guac, Photo by Heather Ford of Unsplash
If you are going to make chips you might as well make something to dip them into! Mix up some salsa, guacamole, or both! Just don’t forget the black garlic.
Chefs and home cooks alike have been experimenting with black garlic in their salsa and guac so it won’t be too difficult to find a black garlic recipe that you will love, but if you already have your dream recipe/brand then just add a few cloves of diced black garlic cloves to the bowl or jar, and stir!
Want to whip up an incredible black garlic salsa recipe this Cinco de Mayo? Try Chef Patricio Wise’s Salsa Negra from Nixtaco Mexican Restaurant. Apparently, this stuff can go on ANYTHING (Poblano Soup, Goose, and more). The recipe page even linked to our brand of Black Garlic on Amazon! But during the Coronavirus Pandemic, Amazon is limiting their shipping to only essential goods so it will be best to shop directly from our Online Black Garlic Store.
Also try our Black Garlic North America Kitchen Black Garlic Guacamole Recipe for an easy and delicious guac to keep those tortilla chips company!
Notes: Black Garlic is ready to eat, directly from the package. You don’t need to cook or warm the cloves prior to eating them! If you have Pureed Black Garlic on-hand, you can use it instead of black garlic cloves in your salsa. Mix only a half-teaspoon at a time into your salsa and taste before adding more.
3. Cheesy Quesadillas + Black Garlic Cloves
Simple Quesadillas with Sour Cream and Salsa
By now you should know that Black Garlic and Cheese are a perfect pair! Our Instagram features recipes of cheesy pizzas and pastas from home cooks, and the recipe pages on our website are full of cheese and black garlic combinations. Cheesy dishes are just aching for a little savory and sweet black garlic to punch up the flavor and wake up the taste buds! So, next time you are making a batch of quesadillas, sprinkle a couple of diced cloves of black garlic onto the cheesy layer before folding over or topping with a tortilla!
New to making quesadillas? No problem! Try this Quesadilla Recipe from Elise Bauer at Simply Recipes, and add Peeled or Whole Bulb Black Garlic to the Ingredients list (diced).
4. Mexican Street Corn + Black Garlic Powder
Grilled Corn - Photo by Fernando Prado of Unsplash
If you are as obsessed with sweet corn as I am then fire up the grill, shuck the corn, and melt the butter!
Grilled sweet corn is a Cinco de Mayo treat and it is done up in a variety of ways. Depending on where you live in the United States it might be a while until you can get your hands on some fresh sweet corn, but we hope you won’t forget this delicious tip by the time you see those ears at your local farmer’s market!
The simplest way to enjoy this treat is to sprinkle savory Black Garlic Powder onto buttery grilled sweet corn. After you taste it, we know you will be using black garlic powder just as much as salt and pepper in your everyday cooking. Step aside, table salt!
The combination of butter and black garlic isn’t new; try this Black Garlic Compound Butter Recipe to taste the combo on noodles, meat, eggs, toast, burger buns, veggies, on top of popcorn and more!
Looking for a challenge, or a more authentic grilled corn? Consider making this Mexican Street Corn (Elotes) Recipe from Marzia at Little Spice Jar and substitute the garlic powder with our black garlic powder in the mayo!
5. Taco Salad + Black Garlic Cloves
Taco Salad
Last, but not least, something delicious, fresh (and easy!) for Spring: Taco Salad!
Save the calories (depending on the recipe!) and celebrate the day with a colorful Taco Salad (there are vegan taco salad recipes, too!) and complete the salad with black garlic. Simply grab a bowl, mix up your favorite veggies, add southwest toppings, and toss a few diced black garlic cloves on top. Ta-da!
Check out this Vegan Taco Salad Recipe from Shannon at Homegrown Provisions and add black garlic to the shopping list.
Or, for something crunchy and cheesy, try this Ultimate Dorito Taco Salad from Sommer Collier at A Spicy Perspective. You could throw a few diced cloves of black garlic on top, mix some diced cloves into the salsa or sprinkle some powder on the dressing. The options are endless! I would love to try this recipe with some Black Garlic Doritos but they are still only available in Japan.
That wraps up 5 ways to use Black Garlic this Cinco de Mayo! We didn’t even mention to add black garlic to your spicy cornbread, or to mix it into your black beans, or to top tacos and nachos with diced cloves! How will you use black garlic today?
Shop our online store for Black Garlic that is sourced from North America and produced in Wisconsin, USA. Organic Black Garlic is also available, and all our black garlic is vegan, gluten-free, preservative-free and 100% Natural. Shopping is easy and shipping is fast and FREE, with NO MINIMUM ORDER. So, what are you waiting for?
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Recipe of the Week: Black Garlic & Soy Glazed Tofu with Chilli & Spring Onions
New year, new flavors, new recipes! Aren’t new years fun? Full of promise for what lies ahead, full of hope & full of new inspirations and ideas for the kitchen. If you’ve never tried black garlic before, this year is your year. Chefs are creating more recipes than ever with our favorite little black clove, and there is truly something for every palette.
Read moreRecipe of the Week: Black Garlic Sauce
Sometimes it’s nice to get new recipes for sauces that you can just whip up, keep around, and slather EVERYTHING with. This Asian-inspired recipe is one of those; a gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free AND vegan option that you can put on salads, meats, noodles, or anything your heart desires.
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