Contributed by Jennifer Peachey

Good Old Garlic

Way back in 1858 Louis Pasteur announced that garlic had antibacterial properties. Some time later it was found to be antiviral and antifungal too. Science was beginning to prove what had been known for thousands of years. Monks used garlic to protect against the plague in the middle ages and Egyptian slaves were given a daily ration of garlic when building the pyramids. Hippocrates used garlic vapours to treat cervical cancer and garlic poultices were used on wounds in World War II.

The organosulfur compounds found in garlic, responsible for making your eyes water and nose run, are the powerhouse behind the medicinal claims. In study after study these compounds have been found to fight skin, liver, breast, colon, lung and cervical cancers. They have also been linked to garlic’s ability to lower bad cholesterol. Garlic is furthermore credited with being diuretic, tonic, and antiarthritic, antiseptic and can relieve colic, bronchitis, gout and digestive problems.

Although garlic can be eaten as a vegetable on its own, it is most commonly used as a condiment. It can be added to vinaigrettes, soups, stews, vegetables and tofu dishes. It is the most important ingredient in aioli sauce, pesto, and garlic butter. Garlic is essential in a variety of spreads and dips. Hummus, guacamole and Tzatziki are examples (see below) that would be very bland if it wasn’t for the garlic!

If you avoid garlic because of the odor on your breath afterwards, you might try chewing some parsley, mint or coffee grains. Using garlic that has been roasted whole will also decrease “garlic breath.” If you like food that leaves you oozing garlic out of every pore it’s best to make sure everyone around you is partaking too or you might find yourself sitting alone at the end of the night! Good garlicky food or good friends – that could be a hard choice?

When friends drop by over the holidays try these garlicky dips with crackers, pita bread, salsa chips or vegetables. All recipes from Simply Heartsmart Cooking:

Hummus with Sesame
Guacamole
Refried Black Bean Dip

(All recipes are in the "Dips, Spreads, and Sauces" section of our Recipe Archive.)

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