I'm not a big fan of garlic. I know how good it is for us, but that still doesn't mean I have to like it. I use it in cooking....but sparingly. I like to flavor things with it, but I don't want an over powering garlic flavor.
Years ago I had a note in my mailbox that there was a package for me at the post office. We lived in a small town and didn't have mail delivery. It was Friday and I couldn't get to the PO until Monday. When I went in to pick up the package, they said, "Glad you are here. You can take this package with you." It was a small squarish box that felt a wee bit damp. Believe me...it smelled strongly of garlic. At the time my daughter lived in San Antonio. She thought that I would like one of those garlic ropes. So she packaged it and sent it on. The smell was over powering. I asked my husband what I should do with it and it was decided to hang it in the garage until the scent decreased. I would run out to the garage and bring in a clove or two as needed. It never got better so I could hang it in the kitchen....not until it was all dried up.......
So this brings me to last week. Joe was grocery shopping and noticed a bag of garlic. There were about 30 heads of garlic...at a good price (he said) Before I knew it....I had the bag on my counter and had to decide what to do with it. I put it in the fridge for a few days and then day before yesterday I decided to take care of it. I ended up roasting them. I have seen others do this and then they keep it in olive oil. While they were roasting the house began to smell of garlic. My eyes began to sting. My nose was running. Joe was looking for the air freshener. Too cold to open the doors...so with the ventilating fan going the garlic continued to roast. When they were finished, I let them cool and then began to squeeze the little cloves out...they pop out easily. Here I was with slippery garlic scented hands, runny nose, and burning eyes....but I had my garlic. Now....to use it before it spoils. I read that garlic doesn't keep well and is a good thing for botulism to grow. (another reason not to like garlic)I guess I could freeze it. Now, I have a container full of garlic cloves and all I needed was one :)
Balisha
