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Around the world in 22 garlic recipes

Garlic might repel vampires, but it sure attracts the rest of us.

The vampire slayer ramen express

The vampire slayer ramen express Source: Mandy Lee

It's the compound allyl methyl sulfide in garlic that causes most of the trouble. It seeps into your breath first before making its way into your bloodstream to pong up your entire body via your sweat and urine. Depending on your metabolism, the pungent whiff can linger for days.

Hardly the kind of experience most of us would actively seek out. 

And yet... There aren't many who claim to adore the smell of garlic, but hardly anyone will turn down a bowl of , or . Just three of the world's plethora of garlic dishes that are worth losing a few friends over.

Here are 22 more.
Roast garlic and bread soup (sopa de ajo)
Source: Benito Martin
In Spain, a nourishing bowl of was traditionally eaten by Castilian shepherds who needed warmth and energy in the fields. Don't we all?
Pork skewers with chilli-garlic sauce (pinchos morunos with mojo picon)
Source: Sharyn Cairns
Moorish-inspired, are popular throughout Spain and the best way to serve them is with a chilli-garlic dipping sauce. That's if the six cloves of crushed garlic in the pork rub isn't enough for you already...
Creamy red lentil and coconut dahl
When the soul grows weary, there is always dahl. Source: Clare Winfield
Recipes abound for the classic , but you can rest assured that all of them will contain garlic.
Chicken wings with coriander, garlic and lemon
Roast these chicken wings in the oven until golden and crispy. Source: Mark Roper
Garlic, lemon and chicken is a classic Lebanese combination showcased beautifully in these sticky caramelised wings. Best made with enough garlic to keep the vampires away for weeks.
Beef shawarma with tahini sauce
The ultimate in portable pungency. Source: Brett Stevens
The packs garlic into the meat rub, sauce and even the pita wrap if you're lucky.
Spicy garlic-fried chicken (kkanpunggi)
Crunchy morsels of golden chicken nuggets are coated in a spicy sweet-and-sour glaze. Source: Billy Law
Korea's is a delicious Korean-Chinese fusion dish that's dangerously addictive. There are five cloves of garlic in this recipe, so go all-in.
Kimchi
Besides tickling every taste bud, kimchi is also full of antioxidants to support gut health and general wellbeing. Source: Poh & Co. 2
Good has plenty of healing garlic packed in, a necessary ingredient to produce the required pungency to balance the spicy, sour and salty condiment.
Snails or Escargot de Bourgogne
Each region has its own version of escargot, but you can rest assured that each contains a truck-load of garlic. Source: Lee Chan's World Food Tour
In a land that loves garlic with everything, the French particularly love it . Lashings of buttery, garlicky sauce would turn anyone into a snail lover, super fast.
Birria
This slow-cooked stew is often served in tacos, but you can also used the meat in quesadillas. Source: Martha Guadalupe
The Mexican city of Guadalajara is justly proud of its famous slow-cooked goat dish, . Pati Jinich also that does this rich stew justice.
Beef tacos (tacos de res guisado)
Mexican slow-cooked beef has a wonderful texture, a rich flavour and makes a delicious taco when stuffed in a fresh corn tortilla. Source: Travis Harvey
Slow-cooking beef until it falls apart makes for . This recipe boasts eight cloves of garlic, which all infuse through the beef during the long cooking process.
Chicken adobo: just one of many classic Filipino dishes worthy trying.
Fry up any leftovers of this tasty braise til crispy and you'll have what's known in the Philippines as adobo flakes. Source: Benito Martin
Onion and garlic form a potent bass to the acidic treble of soy and vinegar in the . The result is a rich, sticky, tender chicken dish that comforts taste buds and bellies alike.
Aglio e olio
A reminder that a few simple, good-quality ingredients can create something truly unforgettable. Source: Ben Fogarty
Trust the Italians to come up with such that boasts a deceptively rich flavour. Use the freshest, plumpest garlic you can get your hands on.
Bagna cauda
Bagna càuda is traditionally eaten warm with raw vegetable dippers, but once you taste the sauce you'll be slathering it far and wide. Source: Adam Liaw
 is the Italian sauce-slash-dip-slash-dressing that makes everything taste like summer in Turin. Dip your veggies in it, stir it through pasta or dollop it on a side of mash.
The vampire slayer ramen express
The trick when adding vast quantities of garlic is to caramelise it until it melts and becomes irresistibly sweet. Source: Mandy Lee
Adding garlic to your ramen isn't essential, but boy is it good. Mandy Lee calls this version  for good reason: a whopping 44 cloves of garlic, serves 4.
Steak with chimichurri
Argentinians love their herbaceous sauce that adds a zippy green tang to meat and vegetables. Source: Bondi Harvest
A strong garlic flavour balances fresh green herbs, chilli and vinegar in to tomato ketchup at your next barbecue.
Seared tuna with nahm jim
Punchy nahm jim dressing will make you feel alive. Source: Andrew Dorn
A that hums with sweet, sour and salty goodness. You know you're onto a good thing when a dressing calls for equal-parts chilli and garlic.
Greek-style lamb shoulder
Slow-cooked lamb shoulder is a classic winter meal that actually works a treat at any time of year. Source: Alan Benson
Here's the combo of garlic, lemon and fresh herbs winning again. until it's melting off the bone is a thoroughly Greek experience you'll be happy to have at your place.
Chicken souvlaki
Marinade the chicken for as long as you can to really absorb all the flavours. Source: One World Kitchen
Garlic and chicken are another heavenly match and never happier together than . Add loads of tomato and onion and you'd swear you were walking the back streets of Athens.
Three cup chicken (San bei ji)
The bold flavours of this chicken stir-fry will keep you coming back for more. Source: Andrew Dorn
Garlic buddies up with ginger in Chinese cooking to produce robust dishes like .
Garlic butter prawns
Garlic prawns are a Chinese restaurant classic. Source: Adam Liaw
The simplicity of relies on top-notch ingredients. Both the prawns and garlic cloves should be plump and juicy.
Banjaan borani
This recipe is how banjaan borani would be prepared at home, to eat alongside challaw or another rice dish. Source: Alicia Taylor
Onions, garlic and chilli are all part of the Afghan cooking trinity and all three sing in generous quantities in this .
Hainanese chicken rice
Hainanese chicken is widely considered to be the national dish of Singapore. Source: Randy Larcombe Photography
is another famous chicken dish that's simply dripping with garlicky goodness. Garlic is infused in the chicken, the rice and the sauce.

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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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4 min read
Published 21 July 2022 2:57am
Updated 25 July 2022 5:47pm
By SBS Food bite-sized
Source: SBS


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