Garlic, an Edible Biography: The History, Politics, and Mythology behind the World's Most Pungent Food--with over 100 Recipes

by Robin Cherry

Overview

Featuring over 100 delicious, garlic-laden recipes, this culinary biography offers a tour through the colorful history of one of the world’s most timeless ingredients
 
Garlic is the Lord Byron of produce, a lusty rogue that charms and seduces you but runs off before dawn, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Called everything from rustic cure-all to Russian penicillin, Bronx vanilla and Italian perfume, garlic has been loved, worshipped, and despised throughout history. No writer has quite captured the epic, roving story of garlic—until now.

While this book does not claim that garlic saved civilization (though it might cure whatever ails you), it does take us on a grand tour of its fascinating role in history, medicine, literature, and art; its controversial role in bigotry, mythology, and superstition; and its indispensable contribution to the great cuisines of the world. And just to make sure your appetite isn’t slighted, Garlic offers over 100 recipes featuring the beloved ingredient.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780834829947
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	11/11/2014
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	460 KB

About the Author

Travel writer and historian ROBIN CHERRY is the author of Catalog: The Illustrated History of Mail-Order Shopping. She was the publisher of Organic Style books and the circulation director of Organic Gardening and Organic Style magazines at Rodale. She has written for The Atlantic, Travel + Leisure, Dwell, Salon, and many other publications and websites.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part 1 The Story of Garlic

1 The Elixir of Life: Garlic and Health 11

2 Liberté, Egalité, Garlic Soufflé: Garlic and Food 43

3 High Stakes and Love Charms: Garlic in Legend and Lore 71

4 Growing Your Own 87

Part 2 Recipes

Recipe List 117

Garlic Handling and Preparation 121

Dips, Sauces, and Condiments 125

Bread, Pizza, and Pasta 141

Soups 147

Salads and Salad Dressings 159

Appetizers 171

Poultry 179

Lamb 191

Beef 197

Pork 203

Seafood 207

Vegetarian 219

Side Dishes 227

Dessert 233

Historical Recipes 239

Acknowledgments 247

Bibliography 248

Index 250

About the Author 261

Editorial Reviews

Everything you need to know about the most celebrated, and vilified, of stinky roots.”—The New York Times

“Garlic lovers unite and delight in Robin Cherry’s splendid and comprehensive edible biography of garlic. No other member of the Allium family has been as maligned and rebuffed throughout history as this stinky bulb. Yet, its powerful medicinal benefits have been touted for centuries. This masterful work integrates the history, legends, lore, and even vampire tales, along with an inspired selection of recipes from condiments to desserts. A must have book for a cook’s library."—Diane Morgan, author of Roots: The Definitive Compendium

“I have always loved the diversity of flavors that garlic adds to a dish, depending on how you cook it.  This lovely historical and international tour of the many faces of garlic, with enticing recipes, is a wonderful addition to anyone interested in learning to use garlic in more ways in their kitchen.”—Tama Matsuoka Wong, forager for Daniel, NYC and author of Foraged Flavor

From the Publisher

★ 10/01/2014
In this enjoyable microhistory, Cherry (Catalog) provides an entertaining history of the herb's place in medicine, cookery, and legend. Garlic has been used medicinally for thousands of years, and Cherry cites references in the Old Testament, Greek mythology, the Talmud, ancient Egyptian texts, and traditional Chinese medicine, among others. The plant has served as an antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic, and Cherry deftly explains the science behind its healing properties. Although there is evidence of garlic's function in food as far back as 10,000 years, it was initially viewed as peasant fare and had a negative reputation. It wasn't until the 1950s and 1960s that garlic became fashionable and was advocated for by such luminaries as Julia Child and James Beard. Cherry also explores the plant's place in legends, particularly its association with vampires. A collection of garlic-focused recipes is also included, boasting a diverse selection from many cultures, including Russian, Japanese, and Indian. Finally, Cherry offers a detailed section on growing your own accompanied by a guide to different varieties. VERDICT This informative and absorbing work, with its personable and sometimes humorous tone, is a sure bet for foodies.—Melissa Stoeger, Deerfield P.L., IL

Library Journal