Fermented Garlic and Ginger for the Holiday Season

December 02, 2022 at 18:18 PM EST

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Originally Posted On: https://spiceworldinc.com/health/fermented-garlic-and-ginger-for-the-holiday-season/

Fermented Garlic and Ginger for the Holiday Season

Tis’ the season for fermented garlic and ginger! To stay healthy this winter, try incorporating some delicious fermented garlic and ginger recipes into your holiday meals. This article will discuss the health benefits of fermented garlic and ginger, as well as how you can easily make your own. We’ll give three simple recipes you can make and serve at all of your parties and feasts this December. Not only will they keep everyone healthy, but your family and friends will love how they taste!

What are the Health Benefits of Fermented Garlic and Ginger?

Fermenting garlic and ginger can enhance their already numerous health benefits. As garlic and ginger go through the fermentation process, the number of probiotic bacteria in them increases. Consuming probiotic bacteria has many benefits including improving your digestive system and immune system. In the winter, it is especially important to consume probiotics to help avoid colds and the flu. Therefore, cooking recipes with fermented garlic and ginger during the holidays can help keep everyone healthy.

While fermenting garlic and ginger can increase their nutritional value, regular garlic and ginger is already very healthy for you. Garlic can reduce your blood pressure, help fight cancer-causing agents, and has detoxifying components. Ginger can help relieve nausea, improve your skin, and has been shown to help aid in weight loss. Incorporating both garlic and ginger into your daily diet can help keep your body nourished and functioning properly.

What is Fermented Garlic and Ginger?

When most people think of fermented foods, pickles or yogurt may come to mind. The truth is, many foods can be fermented, including garlic and ginger. Making your own fermented garlic and ginger is relatively simple and can add a lot of flavor to your recipes.

To ferment garlic and ginger at home, all you will need is salt, mineral water, and peeled garlic and ginger. To make the process faster, it is recommended to use Spice World Peeled Garlic or Spice World Organic Peeled Garlic.

Here is the step-by-step fermentation process:

Gather two jam jars.
Add Spice World Peeled Garlic Cloves in one jar and peeled ginger in the other.
Fill each jar with mineral water and leave a 1-inch gap at the top.
Pour in 2 tablespoons of salt in each jar.
Seal the lids and allow the garlic and ginger to sit for three days.

After three days you have homemade fermented garlic and ginger!

Healthy Holiday Recipes with Fermented Garlic and Ginger

This holiday season, try cooking these delicious healthy holiday recipes. Each of these recipes is made with either fermented garlic or ginger, which ensures that no matter what recipe you follow, you and your guest can enjoy a delicious meal with many nutritional benefits.

The 3 recipes we are sharing are:

Holiday Vegetable Chicken Kabobs with a Fermented Garlic Marinade
Fermented Garlic Bruschetta
Holiday Pomegranate & Pear Salad with a Fermented Ginger Dressing

Holiday Vegetable Chicken Kabobs with a Fermented Garlic Marinade

Kabobs are easy to make and are perfect for any holiday party or get-together you might have. They are also a great source of protein and Vitamin C! Additionally, one skewered kabob stick is the perfect serving size for appetizers.

To make these kabobs, you will need:

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
3 green bell peppers
2 cups of cherry tomatoes
2 onions

The combination of chicken, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and onions in this dish gives it a festive red, green, and white color, perfect for the holiday season!

Once you have all of the ingredients, cut up your chicken breast, green peppers, and onions into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Place them in separate bowls and leave them aside as you prepare your marinade.

To make this marinade you will need:

3 cloves of Spice World Peeled Garlic, fermented and smashed
½ cup of extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon of salt and pepper
1 tablespoon of Spice World Viva! Italian Herb & Garlic seasoning blend

After gathering these ingredients, mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, Spice World Viva! Italian Herb & Garlic seasoning blend, and Spice World Peeled Garlic that you have fermented and smashed. If you are unable to ferment your garlic, you can substitute it for Spice World Ready-To-Use Minced Garlic. It will still taste great and add health benefits to the kabobs!

Once all the ingredients in the marinade have been combined, it is time to marinate the chicken. Place the marinade and chicken pieces in a gallon-sized ziplock bag. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. While the chicken is marinating, preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

After the chicken has marinated, use skewers to thread pieces of chicken, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and onions. Try alternating between each so your kabobs have a red, green, and white holiday pattern.

Grill the kabobs on an outdoor grill or use an indoor grill plan. Grill until the chicken is fully cooked. This will take about 11-15 minutes. While they are cooking, brush the remaining marinade on top of each kabob for additional flavor. Once the chicken and vegetables are cooked, remove them from the grill and transfer them to a plate. Allow the kabobs to cool for about 10 minutes and then serve.

Fermented Garlic Bruschetta

Bruschetta is an Italian dish prepared using toasted bread, garlic, and olive oil. It is traditionally topped with tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese. Using fermented garlic to prepare this dish will give it a strong and tasty garlic flavor that your guest will love. Additionally, topping it with tomatoes, basil, and cheese will give it a festive holiday look!

To make bruschetta, you will need:

1 loaf of French bread, cut into individual pieces
2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves of Spice World Peeled Garlic, fermented
1 teaspoon of salt and pepper
¼ cup chopped basil
5 large tomatoes, diced
⅓ cup of Parmesan cheese

After gathering the ingredients, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. While the oven is heating, brush olive oil on the front and back of each slice of bread. Once the oven is at 400 degrees, place the bread on the center rack and allow it to crisp for around 8 minutes, or until golden brown.

While the bread is in the oven, combine the chopped basil, diced tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl.

When the bread is finished cooking, allow it to cool for around 10 minutes, and then begin assembling each bruschetta. On each slice of bread, spread one clove of fermented Spice World Peeled Garlic. If you are unable to ferment the garlic, you can substitute it for Spice World Squeezable Minced Garlic. After garlic is added, spoon the tomato, basil, and Parmesan mixture onto each slice. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper and your fermented garlic bruschetta is ready to serve!

Holiday Pomegranate and Pear Salad with a Fermented Ginger Dressing

Salads are the perfect recipe to make when you are in a rush but want to prepare something tasty and good for you. This holiday season, if you are on a time crunch, try making this winter salad with a fermented ginger dressing.

To make this salad, you will need:

1 bag of baby arugula
2 pears, sliced
⅓ cup of blue cheese
¼ cup of pomegranate seeds
Optional: ½ cup of walnuts

Once all of the ingredients have been set out, it is time to assemble the salad. In a large bowl, combine your arugula, pear slices, blue cheese, pomegranate seeds, and walnuts, if desired. Set aside while you prepare your dressing.

To make this dressing you will need:

½ cup of extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons of fermented ginger (if unavailable, use Spice World Ready-To-Use Ginger)
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons of honey
1 teaspoon of salt and pepper

Whisk all the ingredients for the dressing together until it is well combined. After mixing, pour over your salad, toss, and serve!

With these three fermented garlic and ginger recipes, you will be able to enjoy your holiday season and stay healthy! Try them all and let us know which is your favorite. Be sure to visit our site for more delicious and healthy recipes this December.