minced garlic

Since the Middle Ages, garlic has been known for its variety of health benefits from reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, to curing the common cold. Not only is it a friend to our health but an essential ingredient in the kitchen. Many recipes call for minced garlic therefore, it’s a pretty handy item to have ready-made in the fridge. You can either buy your own pre-made minced garlic (longer shelf life) or you can make your own (shorter shelf life but fresh taste).

I like to store my minced garlic in a glass jar soaked in olive oil. Like garlic, olive oil is also known for its health benefits. Olive oil helps with obesity, diabetes, lowers blood pressure and has other medicinal benefits. Note: ask your doctor for dosage information.

It is important to note you must refrigerate immediately and use within the week as there are no preservatives and you want to avoid botulism. If you buy a pre-packaged minced garlic be sure to check the expiration date and storage instructions.

MINCED GARLIC: a glass jar, garlic (whatever you will need for the week), olive oil, garlic mincer or food processor.

Circumcise each clove of garlic and remove all the skin.

Either mince or place in a food processor and pulse until garlic is minced.

Pour olive oil in a glass jar.

Add the minced garlic and add olive oil if needed.

Refrigerate immediately.
Discard within the week.

Bon Appetit!

Flatbread pizza originated in Naples as the “poor man’s meal.” It only became popular once Queen Margherita and King Umberto I visited Naples in 1889 and were tired of their fancy French cuisine. The Queens favorite pizza (can you guess?) was a pie with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Hence, the popular name today- Pizza Margherita. I enjoy a good margherita pizza but I also love to add my favorite toppings! What’s your favorite topping?

PIZZA DELIZIOSO: Flatbread, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp minced garlic, basil leaves, oregano, turmeric, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, olives. **Note: I pre-mince my garlic and store in glassware with olive oil and refrigerate for later use. Soaking the minced garlic in olive oil enhances the effects of the antioxidants from the garlic.

Put parchment paper on a baking pan and lay the flatbread down.
Take a bowl full of marinara sauce and add 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp minced garlic, basil leaves, oregano, turmeric. Stir.
Lightly (to your liking) spread the sauce on the flatbread.