How to Make Garlic Paste: A Step-by-Step Guide

Garlic paste is an essential ingredient that adds a distinct flavor to many dishes. Making your own garlic paste is easy, and it is much cheaper than purchasing it from a store. It is also a convenient way to have garlic ready to add to any recipe. Here’s a simple recipe for making garlic paste that will take you a few minutes.

Firstly, you will need fresh garlic bulbs. The number of bulbs will depend on how much garlic paste you want to make. Peel the garlic cloves and chop them into small pieces, you do not have to be precise since you will be blending them. Place the garlic into a food processor or blender and add a little bit of oil. The oil helps to create a smooth paste when you blend the garlic. Blend the garlic until it is a smooth paste. You can add more oil if necessary. Your garlic paste is now ready to use in your next meal!

10 Steps to Making Garlic Paste

Garlic paste is a go-to ingredient, especially for those who enjoy adding a burst of flavor to their meals. It is easy to make and serves as an essential ingredient in many dishes, whether you are preparing an Indian curry, Chinese stir fry or Italian pasta. Here are 10 easy steps to making garlic paste that will add a zing to any dish.

Step 1: Gather your ingredients

All you need is fresh garlic cloves, salt, and olive oil. A mortar and pestle or a food processor will also come in handy.

Step 2: Peel the Garlic

Peel the garlic cloves, then wash them under running water to remove any dirt or debris.

Step 3: Crush the garlic

In a mortar, add the garlic cloves and a pinch of salt, then crush them with the pestle until they form a smooth paste. Alternatively, you can use a food processor to blend the garlic into a paste.

Step 4: Add the olive oil

Add Olive oil to the garlic paste slowly, a tablespoon at a time while mixing continuously, until you reach a desired consistency.

Step 5: Test for consistency

Test the consistency of the garlic paste by scooping out a little on a spoon. If the paste is too thick, add more olive oil until the desired consistency is achieved.

Step 6: Transfer to a clean jar

Once you have achieved the desired consistency, spoon the garlic paste into a clean and airtight jar.

Step 7: Store the garlic paste

Store the garlic paste in the refrigerator for future use. It can last up to one week.

Step 8: Add more ingredients (Optional)

Add other spices, herbs or seasonings such as black pepper, cilantro, rosemary, lemon, and thyme to your garlic paste if desired.

Step 9: Roast your garlic

Roasting your garlic cloves before making the paste gives it a caramelized and nutty flavor. To do this, place the garlic on a baking tray and roast it for 20-25 minutes in the oven at 375°F (190°C).

Step 10: Experiment with Other Variations

Experiment with different types of oils such as sesame oil, coconut oil or avocado oil to create variations of the garlic paste. You can also use shallots, onions or leeks to make flavored pastes.

Conclusion

Making garlic paste is easy and does not take much time. Once you have it on your kitchen shelf, you can add it to any dish as a flavor enhancer. With these 10 easy steps, you can make your garlic paste at home and experiment with different variations to suit your taste buds.

The Ingredients Needed

Garlic paste is a must-have in every kitchen. It’s used to bring flavour to a variety of dishes, from curries to soups. Making garlic paste at home is an easy and cost-effective way to ensure that you have fresh garlic paste on hand whenever you need it. To make garlic paste, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Garlic Cloves

The most important ingredient in making garlic paste is the garlic cloves. You can use either fresh or dried garlic cloves. Fresh garlic cloves are best, but if you don’t have fresh garlic, dried cloves will do just fine. Make sure the garlic cloves are of good quality, firm and not brown or soft as they may be spoilt.

Oil (Olive oil/Sesame Oil)

Oil is another vital ingredient in making garlic paste. You can use any oil of your choice, but olive oil and sesame oil are the most commonly used oils in making garlic paste. Olive oil is an excellent choice as it can be heated and does not overpower the garlic flavour.

Salt

Salt is the third ingredient you need to make garlic paste. Salt helps to bring out the garlic’s natural flavour, and it acts as a preservative that helps to extend the shelf life of the garlic paste.

A Blender, Food Processor, or Mortar and Pestle

To make garlic paste, you’ll need a blender, food processor, or mortar and pestle. A blender is the easiest and quickest way to make garlic paste, while a traditional mortar and pestle gives an authentic texture to the paste. A food processor is an excellent option for those who have a large quantity of garlic cloves to peel and crush.

Optional Ingredients

There are a few optional ingredients that you can use to enhance the flavour of your garlic paste. These ingredients include ginger, green chillies, and fresh coriander leaves. These ingredients can be added to the garlic paste mixture before blending to give the paste a unique flavour and aroma.

Time

Making garlic paste is not a complicated process, but it does require some time to get the perfect result. Depending on the method you choose, it can take up to 15-20 minutes to make a good-quality garlic paste. It is essential to take your time with the process to ensure that you get the best results.

Cleaning Equipment

After you are done making the garlic paste, it’s essential to clean the equipment used – blender, food processor, or mortar and pestle. Clean the equipment thoroughly to avoid any unpleasant flavours from lingering, as it can ruin the taste of your next dish.

Garlic Paste Storage

You can store garlic paste in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Another way to store the paste is to freeze small portions in an ice cube tray and use as required. This will help to extend the shelf life of the garlic paste.

Quantity of Garlic Cloves to Use

The quantity of garlic cloves you use in making the garlic paste depends on your preferences and the amount of paste you need. In general, it is recommended to use 4-5 garlic cloves to make 1-2 tablespoons of garlic paste. However, if you want a milder flavour, you can use less garlic, and if you want a stronger flavour, you can use more garlic.

Prepping the Garlic Cloves

Before using garlic cloves to make garlic paste, it’s essential to peel them and remove any green sprouts that may have grown. To peel garlic cloves easily, place them on a cutting board, lay the flat side of a knife on top of the garlic clove, and give the knife a gentle smash with your palm. The skin should then come off easily. Once the garlic cloves have been peeled, they are ready to be crushed.

Conclusion

Making garlic paste is easy, and anyone can do it at home. It’s an essential ingredient to have in your kitchen and can be used in many different dishes. By following the above steps, you can make fresh garlic paste suitable for your taste. You can play around with different ingredients to get your desired flavour and store it for future use. Now that you know how to make garlic paste, you can say goodbye to store-bought paste and enjoy the freshest and most flavourful garlic paste possible.

Tools Needed for Making Garlic Paste

Making garlic paste is a simple process that requires minimal tools. Before starting, gather all the necessary tools to make the process smoother. Below are the tools needed for making garlic paste.

Preparing the Garlic

Before making garlic paste, it is important to prepare the garlic cloves by removing the papery skin. Follow the steps below to prepare the garlic.

Select the Right Garlic

When purchasing garlic, select fresh and firm bulbs. Avoid garlic that already has mold, soft spots, or sprouts.

Separate the Cloves

Separate the cloves from the garlic bulb. Use a knife and gently peel off the papery skin until the fresh garlic is exposed.

Cut the Garlic

Make sure to remove the root end of the garlic clove before chopping it into small pieces. Cut the garlic into thin slices.

Making the Garlic Paste

Once the garlic is prepared, it’s time to turn it into paste. There are two ways of making garlic paste: using a food processor and using a mortar and pestle. For this article, we’ll focus on using a food processor.

Using a Food Processor to Make Garlic Paste

A food processor is a handy tool for quickly and efficiently making garlic paste. Here’s how to make garlic paste using a food processor.

Gather Ingredients

Before you start, make sure you have all the ingredients ready. You will need garlic, salt, and olive oil.

Add Garlic to the Food Processor

Add the chopped garlic to the food processor and add a pinch of salt. This will help break down the garlic and turn it into a paste.

Process the Garlic

Slowly pulse the garlic in the food processor while adding olive oil. The olive oil will help to bind the paste together and create a smooth consistency.

Scrape the Sides

Using a spatula, scrape the sides of the food processor to ensure all of the garlic is mixed evenly.

Store the Garlic Paste

Store the garlic paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The garlic paste will keep for up to two weeks.

Thank You for Reading and Happy Cooking!

Now you know how to make garlic paste like a pro! Isn’t it super easy and tasty? I hope you enjoy adding this ingredient to your recipes and finding new delicious ways to use it. Don’t forget to come back to check out more cooking tips and tricks here. Remember, cooking is not only about nourishing our bodies, but also about having fun and creating memories with our loved ones. Happy cooking!