Let me share a delightful experience with you. During a family gathering in June, my American younger cousins visited from the USA. I was tasked with preparing a vegetarian pasta, and as I passionately worked in the kitchen, they jokingly remarked that I looked like an “aunty” now. Little did I know that this playful comment would later inspire me to embrace a delightful culinary endeavor.
Yesterday, while deciding to make my own ginger and garlic paste, that fond memory resurfaced, and I realized that I have officially become someone who prepares their own ginger and garlic paste.
The motivation behind creating my own ginger and garlic paste came after an encounter at a butchery. I needed to replenish my supply of ginger and garlic, so I grabbed a familiar brand from the shelf. However, upon closer inspection, I found the ginger and garlic to be quite aged, and I couldn’t bring myself to add it to my food.
Determined to use fresh ingredients, I ventured out to shop for some vibrant ginger and garlic.
The experience of making my own ginger and garlic paste has been truly eye-opening. I’ve always been impressed by the aromatic goodness of my grannies homemade versions, and now, having prepared my own, I can confidently say that I won’t go back to using store-bought.
You can choose to add equal parts of both ginger and garlic. I prefer to add a little more garlic as I generally cook with a lot of garlic.
Here’s the delightful recipe:
INGREDIENTS
- 120g Ginger (Cubed)
- 150g Garlic Cloves
- 1-2 Tablespoons Water
- 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric (Optional)
- 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
METHOD
- Begin by peeling and cubing the ginger for easy grinding.
- Peel the garlic cloves.
- Soak both ginger and garlic in hot water for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the soaked ginger and garlic to a food processor or nutribullet along with a little water, and blend until you achieve a smooth paste.
- Now, transfer the paste to a bowl and add in the optional turmeric and vegetable oil; this will enhance its shelf life.
- You can store the paste in smaller containers or keep it in a large jar.
This quantity yields 250g of the delightful ginger and garlic paste. For storage, keep it refrigerated, and if you desire, it can also be frozen for later use.
Prepare to indulge in the fresh and aromatic wonders of homemade ginger and garlic paste, elevating the flavors of your culinary creations to new heights.