This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Why You Should Cook With Garlic

April 19th is National Garlic Day. Read how garlic benefits your health and lots of ways you can use it.

 

Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ancient peoples knew that garlic warded off lots of ills and used it to protect against all kinds of things, including illness, tigers (ancient Korea) and even werewolves and vampires (medieval Europe.)

 

Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On the health front, research now support’s old beliefs that garlic can promote good health by increasing natural production of hydrogen sulfide in humans. What does that do? Studies show that good supplies of it can protect our hearts, keep our nervous systems healthy and help to regulate our blood flow and blood sugar levels. And it tastes good! Which can boost moods. Garlicky foods certainly make me happy.

 

For best health results cloves should be smashed and left to sit for about 15 minutes before chopping and cooking them.

 

I use garlic to enhance meats, vegetables, soups, and stews. Here are my 10 favorite ways to use this delicious natural flavor enhancer:

 

Roast garlic heads with butter and add the softened pulp to Mashed Potatoes

Stuff a Chicken with cloves before roasting it

In Black Beans

In Split Pea Soup

In Lasagna, Spaghetti, or other Pasta

In Stir-fried Anything

In Chicken Cacciatore

In Chili

In Turkey Sliders

In Caesar Salad

 

Scroll through my blog and download my books for loads of recipes featuring garlic.

 

Photos Courtesy of Easy Weekly Meals

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?