There is something in the smell of food being cooked in garlic that makes
your kitchen smell like heaven. Not only does it act like a mouth-watering
spice, it is also a well – known superfood with extraordinary health
benefits. Anyone can eat garlic that is cooked, however, it takes courage to eat garlic raw.
I still remember as a child whenever anyone in the family came down
with something in the sniffly cold or flu department my mother told us to
eat garlic every day to increase the body’s immunity. Each winter that I have passed during my growing up years, I have always followed her advice to avoid falling sick.
Eat garlic for its numerous health benefits
Studies have shown that garlic has immune-boosting properties as well as helps to reduce inflammation in the body. Garlic contains allicin which is a sulfur compound that imparts its
pungent smell and has numerous health benefits. To activate its antiviral
as well as antifungal benefits garlic clove should be crushed and kept
aside for a few minutes before consuming it. However, if you are one
of those who cannot tolerate eating raw garlic directly then there are several
other ways to include it in your diet. Just make sure to have it regularly.
Eating garlic in any form is better than not having it at all!
Buying garlic in bulk often helps have saved some cash. Also if you already
have them in-store it will come in handy whenever you want to add them to any of your healthy concoctions. You do not need to refrigerate the garlic bulbs, they can be simply stored anywhere on and around your kitchen counter.
You can always directly crush and eat garlic raw by gulping it with some
water. However, most of us fainthearted souls might not be able to
tolerate their strong smell.
Eat garlic every day without having to taste it raw
Here are some amazing ways to include garlic in
your diet:
- Garlic Tea
- Hummus
- Garlic Chutneys
- Sandwich Fillings
- Juicing
- Salad Dressing
- Hot Soups
1.Garlic Tea
You simply need to boil some water. Turn off the heat and immediately
add 1-2 cloves of crushed garlic. Close the lid tight and let it sit for a 10
minutes. Strain and add some honey before drinking. This garlic tea
recipe is excellent for cold or flu infections.
2.Hummus
Hummus a nutrient-dense dip made of humble chickpeas is an extremely
popular dish frequently savored in many middle eastern and
Mediterranean countries. It has steadily become a favorite with Indian
food lovers too. You can easily mask the strong taste of raw garlic by
mixing it in your hummus.
3.Garlic Chutneys
During winters most Indians like making spicy green chutneys which can
be eaten as a side dish with either rice or chapati. There are many ways
in which a green chutney can be made. In my family, we simply combine a
handful of green coriander leaves, 1 green chili, 2 cloves of garlic and 1
tsp of olive oil and grind them together. Adjust salt to taste and enjoy.
This will not only make for a lip-smacking chutney but also ensure the garlic
in your diet every day
4.Sandwich filling
Another tasty way to eat garlic raw is to add crushed garlic to your
sandwich fillings. Place a few slices of cheese, lettuce, and crushed garlic
between your bread slices. This is a quick and easy way to eat raw garlic
every day.
5.Juicing
If you cannot eat garlic directly then try juicing. It is an effective way to ingest a load of nutrients in a quick easily digestible manner. You can prepare this quick juice recipe, known for its
immune-boosting benefits, simply by mixing three ingredients- 1 Green
Apple, 1 beetroot, and 1 clove of Garlic. Grind them all together. Strain
and Serve. Drink it immediately to gain the benefits.
6.Salad Dressing
You can prepare a simple cold-fighting salad dressing by mixing crushed
garlic with some vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and honey. Prepare your
salad and mix this freshly prepared dressing over it. Make sure to eat it
as soon as you make it to enjoy all the health benefits of garlic.
7.Soups
Soups act as a tasty and healthy form of appetizer. Make a habit of
drinking a bowl of soup before your meals. You can make simple soup
using ripe tomatoes. Heat olive oil in a pan. Add 1 chopped onion and 2-3
garlic cloves and fry them till they tenderize. Now add 500 grams of
chopped ripe tomatoes and a dash of balsamic vinegar. Mix well and let it
cook for a few minutes. Now pour 2 cups of vegetable stock and let it cook
for at least 15 minutes. Adjust salt to taste. Remove from heat. Let it cool
down and then grind to make a paste. Warm it again and sprinkle some
black pepper. Serve with some crushed garlic and basil leaves.
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No wonder our ancient healers swore by the healing capacity of garlic. Eat
garlic daily to benefit from its recuperative properties. It acts as excellent support for treating conditions like cardiac and respiratory
problems as well as low immunity. Certain types of cancers can also be
kept at bay by regularly eating garlic.