BLACK GARLIC!

BLACK GARLIC!

Black Garlic Sesame Dressing Over Seared Tuna

John, from the co-op across the sidewalk from me on the Farmer's Market, came over to my booth last Saturday and told me that a family member from China served the most luscious dish made with black garlic. Of course, since I have been hearing a lot about it lately, I was anxious to know more. John told me exactly the way it is made in China these days. You won't believe it but it is steamed in a rice cooker for, get this, 9 DAYS! I had my doubts about trying it because I was afraid the rice cooker would quit after a day or so, given that appliances these days have very short life spans. But, I was curious so decided to give it a whirl. I placed as many large garlic bulbs into the cooker as it would allow. I did not peel them but plopped them in whole, as I was instructed to do. Today, the 9 days are up and it is time to open the rice cooker. (it is supposed to stay on warm cycle but mine kept reverting to cook and then back to warm the entire time.

Rice Cooker Filled With Garlic Heads

I was a bit nervous about opening the lid and then slicing the garlic. Would it really be black and would I like the taste? I figured I would since it seems to be all the rage on the food channels and you-tube.

There They Are All Ready to Peel Open

Sure enough, after opening the pot I find that it is dark brown, lighter than I've seen pictures of but still very good. I know I want to add it to a sauce. I am wondering if I need to ferment longer as some sites have claimed that it takes a month. I don't think I could wait that long. Also, the entire house has a curious odor while it is fermenting..John says he puts his in the garage for the 9 days.

Not Jet Black But Dark Brown

Something else that is important for me to mention. Black Garlic has been touted as a powerful anti- cancer preventative. If you want to read more about that added incentive to make your own black garlic, just google 'black garlic and cancer' Different sites claim that it is a powerful antioxident and can heal psoriasis, Increase energy level, fight cancer, can be used as an anti-aging product, and help with sleep.

I am experimenting with many recipes but the one I like the best so far is made by smashing a whole head of the black garlic and adding it to a sesame dressing-then pouring over seared tuna or salmon served cold or warm. I used raddiccio lettuce as a base. It is delicious! I used the dressing I sell at the Farmer's Market here in Roanoke and at the Roanoke market and Greenbriar Farm Market. You can probably use any sesame dressing though. I'm not sure If I will be selling the black garlic because I will have to experiment with storage and longivity first. But, it is simple enough to make yourself and you might just want to drag out the rice cooker in the back of your pantry or purchase a new one. They are very inexpensive. I used a small 12 cup rice cooker but if you get serious about it, you can find the larger ones as well. Have fun!

PS: I heard that the Trader Joe's food store (my favorite) is carrying them but I was not able to find it at the ones in D.C.

ODE TO A MIRROR

ODE TO A MIRROR

Kebechet-Goddess of Purification

Sold. Thank you Shirley!

I've never learned the trick to taking a good picture of a mirror. Either I am shown in the picture or whatever is reflected in the mirror appears big and bold. As I was taking the picture of my Egyptian Goddess Kebechet, I thought of how this applies to life in general. I wrote a story years ago called “Mistflower” “She walked to the edge of the water and saw her reflection. Her people had taught her that we are all the great mirror-simply the reflection of one another.” It still seems true to me today. To look at another is really to view oneself. We don't always like what we see but we are hesitant to do anything to change what it is we don't like. We may not like the world in which we live, with all of the many flaws, but what are we doing to make a change? I guess I'm posting about this today because I just finished reading Barbara Kingsolvers book “ Flight Behavior.” The book addresses global warming and in particular the Monarch butterfly. Not only did I learn a lot about this wondrous winged beauty but I got a lesson in environmental crisis. Of course the book is much more. The wit and humor that Kingsolver uses in her writing makes the story come to life in a way no other author I know of accomplishes.

Close-up

Goddess Kebechet, the Goddess of purification, is approx 7" wide by 13" high. I sculpted her with stoneware clay, which is kiln fired. The embellishments reflect the golds and blacks that were used on Egyptian sculpture. I have priced her at $78. If you are interested in having her reflect your surroundings, please let me know. You can e-mail me. I take checks or Paypal. Thank you!

REBEL SERIES-"NO REGRETS"

REBEL- “NO REGRETS”

"No Regrets" Front View

A new series has been rumbling around in my mind for quite some time. Finally, I finished the first in the 'rebel' series. Urbandictionary gives this meaning for the word rebel. “rebel is a person who stands up for their own personal opinions despite what anyone else says. A true rebel stands up for what they believe is right, not against what's right. It's not about smoking crack, drinking till you're rendered unconsious, or beating the crap out of anyone that crosses your path. It's all about being an individual and refusing to follow a crowd that forces you to think the same way they do even if it means becoming an outcast to society. True rebels know who they are and do not compromise their individuality or personal opinion for anyone. They're straightforward and honest and they will sure as hell tell it like it is.” I like this straightforward definition that basically says exactly what it means to be a rebel in todays society.

Side Angle

The names I came up with to describe each female sculpture in my series are, to name a few, “No Compromise” “Who Says” “Why” etc. I'm sure you can think of many more. I named my first in the series, “No Regrets.” It says it in her face. She has no regrets to the path she took or is taking in life. She made decisions along the way, after careful analyzing, and knowing that 'the moment of absolute certaintly never arrives', she decided and then stood by her decision.

Back

“No Regrets” is 7" wide x 9" deep and 11" high. I sculpted her in stoneware clay and draped her with a contemporary upbeat fabric. No adornment was needed to convey her countenance. Hope you like her. She is available for $245. I take personal checks or Paypal. Please e-mail me and we can go from there.

Close-Up

ANTIBIOTIC GARLIC SOUP

ANTIBIOTIC GARLIC SOUP

Garlic Keeper-Luscious Glaze

Did you know that a research done by the Washington University found that garlic proved to be up to 100 times more effective than most antibiotics? My friend, Kyle, came across this recipe and she knew I would want to try it. It is loaded with garlic and tastes devine. I think I like it even better than my Decadent Garlic Soup recipe and it is a lot easier to prepare. I've included the recipe at the end of this post.

View of Garlic

I've struggled (but had fun too) for the last 3 years to get my garlic to look the way it does this spring. The green tops almost look as high as corn by the 4th of July..knee high! Of course, the proof will be in the pudding when I pluck them out of the ground around mid July. ( It is only early May and my garlic looks like it is ready to harvest-but-harvest time is in mid July! How large will these garlic grow to be. Exciting.

French Garlic-Here is the area where my French Garlic Grows. My Friends, Doug and Mary Gave Me Some Choice Bulbs From Their Garden

My garlic had to be fed an entire breakfast last fall when I planted them..egg shells, coffee grounds. Then there was the moist dark soil that my brother, Jim, I tilled to just the right texture. Now that spring is here, I have had to weed, feed with fish emulsion and remove all the mulch I gave them last fall. Next comes the soil rich in nitrogen and the final wait time. Watering of course, but not too much and hopefully the beautiful scapes will emerge about 3 weeks before harvest. It sounds like a lot of care and actually it is but I hope to reap the rewards in creating braids and more of my garlic sprinkles and other garlic delicacies. Stay tuned for later posts on the harvesting.

Here is the Siberian Garlic. I Have Garlic From All Over The World

Here is Inchilean Red Garlic from the State of Washington and an Indian Reservation

Garlic, Garlic

As Far As the Eye Can See-Italian Garlic

Here is a recipe for garlic along with one of my garlic keepers which is for sale. It is the perfect way to keep your garlic and makes a wonderful gift. It is 3"wide x 3" deep and 4"high. The glaze turned out luscious. It has brown and beige tones. The lid features one of my original bas -relief faces. It is just $34. If you are interested, just e-mail me and we can go from there. I take personal checks and paypal.

ANTIBIOTIC GARLIC SOUP

Ingredients:

50 peeled garlic cloves

2 T. Butter

2 T. olive oil

2 large diced onions

Thyme, parsley, and a bay leaf

3. C. diced stale bread-crusts removed

1-32 ounce container of chicken broth

1 C. sour cream

Method:

Preheat oven to 180. Cut off the top of garlic bulbs, place in aluminum foil and sprinkle olive oil over. Bake for 90 minutes. Cool.

Heat 2 T. of olive oil and some butter in soup pot on medium. Cook onions for 10 minutes, stirring often. Place garlic in food processor and process till smooth. Add to soup pot. Stir well and add herbs, and chicken broth. Place temp on low and add the bread and cook for 5 minutes til bread cubes soften.

Remove herbs from soup pot and blend mixture well until you get a nice and creamy texture. Use a hand held immercer and blend with sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste. The original recipe called for only 1 cup of broth but mine was too thick so I added more. You can adjust to suit. Mine made about 4 large bowls of soup. It's good to know something that tastes this good is so very good for you. Enjoy.