Jihva for Ingredients - April

7th
MAR

Jihva for Ingredients - April

Posted by Mathy Kandasamy | Filed under Jihva For Ingredients(JFI), Archives

First of all, I would like to apologize to everybody for having taken so long. It took me more time to pick-up the reins. Thankyou so very much for waiting so patiently.

Note: Since, I am announcing the ingredient only today (March 7). I would like to extend the last date to April 5th. The round-up would be posted on April 7th. Hope it is ok with everybody (esp. the JFI-May organizer).

Now more than ever, people all over the world are interested in fresh healthy ingredients to cook healthy food. And they pickup choice ingredients from all over the world, while ofcourse paying attention to accessing them locally. And they navigate the five oceans to choose their daily menu.

At a time like this, food-blogs help a lot to circumnavigate the world. And events like Indira’s Jihva-for-ingredients act like compasses.

It is my great fortune to have known Indira for the last couple of years. First as a reader and later as a fellow food-blogger. When she announced JFI, I was very excited at the opportunity to learn new recipes for my favorite ingredients. And I have not been disappointed.

So, the when the opportunity presented itself I jumped to grab an opportunity to choose one of my favorite ingredients. Even though circumstances have prevented me from being there on the first of this month, as I would have loved. I’m here with the ingredient of the month. I am also eagerly looking forward to Indira’s announcement for JFI:2008-2009, which have inspired me and a countless number of others in their daily food choices. Thankyou Indira.

After much thought and hair-pulling I’ve selected Allium sativum as the ingredient for JFI-April.

Huh! Allium sativum? Now wait a minute. What is that?

GARLIC

Yes! Yes, that abominable stinking SOB.

One that made Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley to write back home to England, while on a visit to France, “What do you think? Young women of rank eat - you will never guess what - garlick!”

But it induced Alexandre Dumas to write the following line.
“The air of Provence was particularly perfumed by the refined essence of this mystically attractive bulb.”

And made Alice May Brock sing it’s praise.

Tomatoes and oregano make it Italian;
wine and tarragon make it French.
Sour cream makes it Russian;
lemon and cinnamon make it Greek.
Soy sauce makes it Chinese;
garlic makes it good.

Garlic is said to originate from Asia. I’m using the phrase ’said’ because of it’s presence in all the world’s best cuisines. It is used as a flavoring agent in almost all of them.

Garlic was depicted on the Egyptian tombs. When the pyramids were being built the slaves were given a daily ration of garlic. Ancient Greek and Roman soldiers and sailers subsisted on it. It found its favors even during the first world war. Columbus brought garlic with him during his second voyage to America.

Garlic was celebrated in many cultures for it’s stimulating properties. It has been used as an aphrodisiac in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Rome, Middle-East Asia, China and Japan. But not all cultures welcomed Garlic’s aphrodisiac properties. In India, till date Garlic has been kept out of religious food. It is not consumed by some people due to their religious beliefs. But Garlic finds its place in Indian traditional medicine. Garlic is used in Tamilian Siddha medicine. Malaippoondu (Mountain Garlic) is used in one stage along with other herbs to cure Ovarian Cysts. Ancient people thought of garlic as a magical plant that protected the wearer fro harm. Hence the Transylvanian myth. Garlic has been used from ancient times to cure an assortment of health problems including ear infections, arthritis, to heal battle-wounds, pneumonia, digestive problms, as a diuretic, to treat snake bites, infections, bronchitis and cough, leprosy. I wonder if any other single ingredient could boast such popularity. Gilroy garlic festival anybody?

So, dear fellow foodies lets celebrate the ’stinking rose’ as the Greeks called it in Jihva for Ingredients.

Suggestions:

As the medicinal properties and health benefits of garlic are strongest when eaten raw, I thought to request atleast two posts from you. One post with a recipe featuring raw garlic and another where garlic gets cooked to perfection.

To Participate in JFI-Garlic:

1. Prepare and write about garlic, and post it on your blog in the month of March.

2. Please link to this event announcement.

3. If you do have a picture, please enclose it in 455 x 280 pixel size with your e-mail.

4. If you don’t have a blog, but would like to participate mail me and I would post it here.

5. Please send me an e-mail notifying me of your entry at mathy.jfi@gmail.com

6. Please use “JFI” to denote the subject matter.

7. Please write your name as you would like it to appear on the round-up.

8. The lastdate for JFI-Garlic is April 5, 2008. The round-up will be posted by April 7.

Looking forward to your enthusiastic participation.

Reader's Comments

Indira | March 7th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Garlic sure makes the food taste good. Pink garlic, purple garlic, elephant garlic, Indian garlic, so many varieties to choose from. And roasted garlic, garlic fried in tadka/tempering, Yum!

I can’t wait to participate on the JFI-garlic. Thank you Mathy for hosting!
sia | March 11th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Garlic… i cant get enouigh of it thank you for chosing such a wonderful ingredient mathy. i cant wait to participate
Roma | March 13th, 2008 at 12:00 am
I love Garlic in Biryanis, Chinese food and palak dals. In fact, some dishes would just fall apart without that strong smell of Garlic.

Great choice of ingredient!
Raj | March 15th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Thanks for making me write my first blog:> I love Garlic.
nandita | March 17th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
It’s quite surprising how no one has chosen this for JFI so far, being such a favourite among various cuisines…
It will interesting to use raw garlic though
Looks like the whole foodblogging community will have garlic breath this month
Madhuram | March 18th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Hi Mathy,

You have a very good collection of recipes. Came here from Indira’s site. I’m a 2 days old blogger. Started my blog www.egglesscooking.com on 15th of this month, inspired my so many of you. I want to participate in this month’s JFI. Can you explain to me what linking to your site is? What should I do once I post the recipe for garlic in my website?

Thanks in advance.
jugalbandi » Garlic Greens | March 19th, 2008 at 11:35 am
[…] is our entry for Jihva for Garlic and Grow Your […]
Divya | March 19th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Cant wait to participate in this event..thanks for hosting..
Linda | March 19th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Hi Mathy, I am so happy I found your Jihva post — garlic and Jihva are both favorites of mine Looking forward to cooking and reading your round up in April

Best regards!
Lavanya | March 20th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Hi Mathy..Garlic..ther are many recipes based on garlic that has to get fresh air thru this JFI.

My hubby reads your tamil blog and iam here in your cooking blog..Great Job by you.
EgglessCooking.com » Blog Archive » Easy Garlic Pickle | March 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 am
[…] my entry for JFI:Garlic hosted by Mathy of Virundhu. […]
Srivalli | March 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 am
Thats a great choice Mathy…will surely send in some..
Paneer Fusion in Garlic Sauce « Roma’s Space | March 23rd, 2008 at 1:44 am
[…] is my entry to JFI - Garlic for the month of March, 2008. Thanks Mathy for chosing such a wonderful ingredient which not only has flavor but also medicinal […]
Madhuram | March 23rd, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Hi Mathy,

Thanks for including my post for this month’s JFI. This is the first time I’m participating. Do I need to send an email with the picture? Hope you got my email to your gmail ID, enquiring the same.

Thanks
Poondu(Garlic) Kuzhambu(Sambar) « To Indulgence… | March 24th, 2008 at 11:47 am
[…] is my entry to the event JFI - Garlic for the month of March-April, […]
Roma | March 25th, 2008 at 12:19 am
My Garlic Entry :

http://romaspace.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/paneer-fusion-in-garlic-sauce/
mamta | March 25th, 2008 at 7:49 am
hi mathy,
happy to know JFI.wil surely post this time as i always end up seeing the last date.
Medhaa | March 26th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
love garlic, first time blogging and am so pleasantly surprised with the events that take place and am enjoying it. Will surely participate.
Harini | March 27th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Hi,I love garlic bread……I guess I will try it now! Bahana acchha hai!! Oh! You’re Tamilian - in that case - Idaan chaak! Try panni paakaren!
Taste Of India » Blog Archive » Garlic/Lasoon Chutney | March 29th, 2008 at 8:01 am
[…] This fiery garlic chutney is my contribution to Jihva:Garlic. […]
Siri | March 29th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Guess, I am too late to know about this month’s JFI..but am happy to know its GARLIC.. eagerly looking fwd for the roundup mathy!..

Siri
Garlic and Mushroom Masala « Choicest Healthy Recipes for Diabetes and Obesity | March 31st, 2008 at 10:19 am
[…] Garlic and Mushroom Masala Posted on March 31, 2008 by Sharadha This recipe is my entry to Jihva for Ingredients - April. […]
JFI Entry 2: Garlic Raitha « Choicest Healthy Recipes for Diabetes and Obesity | March 31st, 2008 at 10:28 am
[…] JFI Entry 2: Garlic Raitha Posted on March 31, 2008 by Sharadha This recipe is my second entry to Jihva for Ingredients - April. […]
Sarada | March 31st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Hi Mathy,
I have sent in my entry for the JFI Garlic Event. Thanks for hosting.
Spicy Herb Garlic Spread « 365 Days of Pure Vegetarian © | April 1st, 2008 at 12:51 am
[…] Spicy herb garlic spread with some bread ~ Mathy’s JFI - Garlic […]
Siri | April 2nd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Hi mathy,

Here is my garlicy entry:

http://siri-corner.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-favorite-combination-broad-beans-n.html
Cham | April 3rd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Hi Mathy,
I just sent my entry for JFI event. If any request please let me know. thank u for choosing Garlic.
Cham | April 3rd, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Hi Mathy,
I sent my entry for JFI -Garlic . Hope u got my entry.
Thanks,
Cham.
Mansi | April 4th, 2008 at 1:04 am
Just sent you my entries Mathy! hope you get them in time!:)

-Mansi
http://funnfud.blogspot.com
sia | April 4th, 2008 at 6:08 am
mathy, i hope u received my mail with JFI entry.
Pooja | April 4th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Hi mathy ,
just sent you an email with my entry .
Garlic Zuchini Soup « | April 5th, 2008 at 5:15 am
[…] I am sending this to Mathy for the “JFI-Garlic” event. […]
Homecooked | April 5th, 2008 at 5:29 am
Hi Mathy,Just sent you my entry.Hope u got it.
Swati | April 5th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
didnt know about this event as iam new.. mathy this is something i had posted in fecruary - http://chatkhor.blogspot.com/2008/02/lasooni-dal-palak.html
but then i was new to blogging so nobody has visited this yet… but its one of my favorites… so it wud be nice of you if you can notice this too….
Bhagyashri | April 5th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Hi Mathy,
I have sent you two entries by email. Hope you have got them.
Making New Friends with Arusuvai, Two Jihvas, and A Bit Of Kitty Love « Out Of The Garden | April 5th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
[…] but certainly not least, I hope I am in time for April’s Jihva For Garlic, hosted by Mathy Kandasamy at her lovely blog Virundhu. This is an extremely simple dish, hardly […]
fazeetha | April 6th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Hi Malathy,
Can i send my entry to you tomorrow..Would really love to participate in this.
Garlic-Jhiva For Ingredient-April ‘08 « Fazee’s Home Cooking | April 6th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
[…] I am very happy to contribute to JFI’s Garlic event and this is my first entry ever in the food blog world. you can learn all about JFI here. Mathy Kandasamy is hosting the JFI event with Garlic as ingredient. […]
Garlic(Poondu) Rasam « Fazee’s Home Cooking | April 6th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
[…] Relax and Enjoy!! This is my first entry for JFI: Garlic. […]
Chicken Tikka. « Fazee’s Home Cooking | April 6th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
[…] […]

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