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garlic

ProduceFresh garlic is harvested in late spring through early summer (May–July in Northern Hemisphere); dried garlic stores year-round and is available continuously. Regional variations exist, with hardneck varieties more common in cooler climates and softneck varieties in warmer regions.

Rich in vitamin C, manganese, and selenium; contains sulfur compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Relatively low in calories (approximately 4 calories per clove) and a good source of prebiotics when raw.

About

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a bulbous perennial plant of the onion family, native to Central Asia and domesticated for thousands of years. The bulb consists of 4-20 individual cloves enclosed in papery white, pink, or purple skin, depending on variety. Garlic possesses a pungent, sharp flavor when raw that mellows and becomes sweet and complex when cooked. Key compounds include allicin, which develops when cloves are crushed and provides both the characteristic aroma and potential health benefits. Major cultivars include hardneck varieties (with a central woody stem) and softneck varieties (without a central stem), each with distinct flavor profiles and storage characteristics.

Culinary Uses

Garlic is one of the most fundamental aromatic vegetables in world cuisine, serving as a foundational element in countless dishes across Mediterranean, Asian, Latin American, and other culinary traditions. It is used raw in dressings, salsas, and marinades for sharp flavor; sautéed as a flavor base (mirepoix, soffritto, holy trinity); roasted whole for mild sweetness; or minced and caramelized for depth. Common applications include pasta dishes, stir-fries, soups, stews, and curries. Black garlic (fermented garlic) adds umami complexity to modern dishes. Proper storage and handling—avoiding burnt garlic in cooking and managing raw clove intensity—are key to successful use.

Used In

Recipes Using garlic (2,492)

RCI-VG.004.0799.001

Lentil-Soup

Lentil-Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0802.001

Lentil Spaghetti Sauce

A delicious low-fat vegetarian if not using beef broth) pasta sauce.

RCI-SN.004.0094.001

Lephet Thoke

Lephet Thoke (Fermented Tea Leaf Salad) is a versatile dish in Burmese culture – it’s a snack, an appetizer, a palate cleanser after a meal and a stimulant more potent than coffee.

RCI-SC.004.0020.001

Le Tourin

Le Tourin is a type of garlic soup. This recipe is from the village of Le Fleix in Dordogne.

RCI-ND.005.0068.001

Let Thoke Sone

Let Thoke Sone (Burmese Hand-Tossed Salad) is one of the more popular Burmese salads.

RCI-VG.001.0350.001

Liang Ban Cai Su

Liang Ban Cai Su from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0105.001

Liberian Stuffed Peppers

Liberian Stuffed Peppers from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SW.001.0042.001

Light and Fresh Tuna Salad

" Something about them hits me right where I need to be hit, usually. Tuna salad, potato salad, egg salad, macaroni salad.... they're all delicious. But, I'm also from the midwest, so, it might be a "country bumpkin" type thing, but, I do love them.

RCI-MT.004.0537.001

Light Chicken Stogranoff

Source: Sunset Diabetic Cookbook * Makes 4 servings

RCI-SP.003.0377.001

Lightening-quick Fish Soup

If you have fish stock and fish scraps in the freezer, combine them here. If not, use chicken stock or water and fresh fish.

RCI-MT.004.0538.001

Light 'n Lean Chicken Breasts

Makes 4 servings

RCI-SC.003.0115.001

Light Ranch Dressing

Light Ranch Dressing from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.001.0076.001

Light Vegetable Broth

Source: The New McDougall Cookbook

RCI-ND.002.0062.001

Lime Scallops with Baby Spinach and Pasta

* Serves: 4

RCI-SF.002.0158.001

Lime Shrimp Kebabs

Fruit & Vegetable of the Month: Limes by the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-SC.003.0118.001

Lime Vinaigrette

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 2½ cups

RCI-SC.003.0119.001

Lime Vinaigrette I

Contributed by Healthy R

RCI-VG.004.0813.001

Linguica with Potatoes

This recipe taken from www.Portuguese-recipes.com

RCI-ND.002.0063.001

Linguine Primavera Mediterranean

Italian cuisine Vegetarian Cuisine Pasta

RCI-ND.001.0048.001

Linguini with Scallops

Linguini with Scallops from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0814.001

Linsen und Spätzle

One has to eat Spätzle with the lentils. Best procedure is to prepare the dough before you cook the lentils, and afterwards you cook the Spätzle. This one is a slightly modified recipe, the traditional one has no tomato and honey.

RCI-MT.001.0149.001

Liver Kebabs

Now I am not a great liver lover but this really does taste good and probably would be ideal for feeding young children liver as long as you didn't tell them before hand what it was.

RCI-MT.006.0035.001

Liver Loaf

Liver Loaf from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0112.001

Lo Mai Gai

Lotus leaf wraps Serves 8

RCI-MT.002.0171.001

Lomo de Cerdo a la Caucana

Lomo de Cerdo a la Caucana from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.001.0153.001

London Broil Teriyaki

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Grade A Re

RCI-SC.007.0187.001

Lonumrus Havaadhu

Lonumrus Havaadhu from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0113.001

Louisiana Jambalaya

Makes 8 servings

RCI-SP.003.0381.001

Louisiana Shrimp Gumbo

Makes 10 servings

RCI-MT.004.0543.001

Low-cal Fiesta Chicken

Low-cal Fiesta Chicken from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0220.001

Low-carb Hawaiian BBQ Tuna Burger with Grilled Pineapple

Pump up the flavor and cut the cholesterol with these healthy grilled tuna burgers that leave you real room for dessert. Fresh pineapple is fantastic in summer; use canned only in emergencies!

RCI-SP.003.0384.001

Low-fat Chili

Low-fat Chili from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0544.001

Low-fat Lemon Chicken with Vegetables

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2sam and Tiny at World Re

RCI-MT.004.0545.001

Low-fat Lemon Tarragon Chicken

Low-fat Lemon Tarragon Chicken from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0190.001

Low-fat Pesto

Supposed to be 6 servings at 53 cal, 1g fat a serving.

Low-fat Zucchini Frittata
RCI-EG.001.0032.001

Low-fat Zucchini Frittata

Low Fat Zucchini Frittata A very good low fat frittata, you can use or include other veggies or substitute other veggies for the zucchini, A good appetizer or entree.

RCI-MT.005.0154.001

Luchow's Swedish Meat Balls

Luchow's Swedish Meat Balls

RCI-SN.002.0194.001

Lumpia

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-SC.005.0089.001

Lutenitza

Lutenitza from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.002.0173.001

Lynn's Best Herb-and-Garlic Pork

Contributed by Healthy R

RCI-ND.006.0044.001

Macaroni Bechamel

Macaroni Bechamel from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.001.0244.001

Macedonian Melitzanasalata

Macedonian Melitzanasalata from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0109.001

Macedonian Sarma

Macedonian Sarma from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.005.0090.001

Madbucha

This is a salad originally from North Africa. It can be used as side dish, as well as put on bread.

RCI-SP.002.0126.001

Madras Tomato-Coconut-Soup

Very good! Easy to make.

RCI-PF.001.0018.001

Maghdoos

Pickled Eggplant with Chile Pepper. I consulted some Middle Eastern cookbooks containing pickling recipes, and this was the best incarnation of maghdoos that I could come up with.

RCI-VG.003.0080.001

Maharagwe I

Red beans

RCI-VG.004.0823.001

Main-Dish Lentil-Vegetable Soup

Main-Dish Lentil-Vegetable Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.001.0052.001

Makaronada me Garides

Greek-style pasta with shrimps

RCI-MT.004.0550.001

Makhan Murg

Butter chicken.