Mountain Lane Homesteaders

A Bakers Dozen

I can't imagine there's anyone that doesn't know what a bakers dozen is but just in case.......it refers to someone who gives above and beyond just what they said they would, and adds a little something extra. 

Two weeks ago when I found out I was featured blogger Nancy asked for my address so she could have that weeks sponsor, Herrick Kimball send out the book he had offered.  I was to be receiving the book he wrote titled "Making Great Garlic Powder."  I have to admit I was wondering why anyone would ever take the time to make garlic powder themselves.  But I had done some reading on Herrick's blog before and have thought I'd like to read the new book he has written "The Deliberate Agrarian".  So, I began looking forward to seeing what he had to say about garlic powder.

I don't go into town very often even though we are only 10 miles out and we do receive our mail at the post office.  So it now became a daily thing for me to nearly leap on Sam when he came in the door with the hope that he had remembered to check the mail.  Something other than credit card offers was coming for me!!!  Most of the time he forgot.  I would remind him again that I was expecting my GARLIC book.  Then the next day he would remember to check but would bring me home yet another credit card offer.  Ever notice how every day seems like a year when you are waiting for something?  Now it really was not a long time at all before the package arrived.

Two days ago Sam came through the door with a nice size package addressed to me and I was so confused.  It was a book I was to receive.  Certainly it wasn't THAT big!  So with my family all gathered around.....and if you have kids you know that getting ANY box in the mail is an event regardless of who it is for...I opened up the box and found......The expected "Garlic Powder" book (autographed :)), a nice note from Herrick, and what else? 

Hiding among the peanuts were 4 very large carefully wrapped heads of Herrick's own homegrown garlic for me to use to cook with, roast, dry, or plant.  A bakers dozen. 

Okay, my dad always said it didn't take much to entertain me and I guess he's right about that.  Anyone can go to the store and buy some garlic but how cool is it to get the garlic fresh from the guy who wrote the garlic book?!! 

I have read a little so far and am enjoying finding out about why all the reasons for homegrown instead of store bought but haven't yet read about actually making garlic powder. 

I have learned that there are two different types of garlic, a softneck variety is the type usually grown for making into garlic powder because it's better suited for mechanical harvesting and for growing in the climate of California where most of the garlic grown for dehydration (in America) comes from.  Apparantly the softneck garlic does not begin to compare with stiffneck garlic for rich garlic flavor.  Stiffneck garlic requires a little more care while growing and grows better in climates with a frigid winter (I live in Montana!).  They are often referred to as "gourmet" garlic. 

Of course, Herrick's garlic is the stiffneck variety and that is what he sent to me that I will have to try to plant and see if I can grow some of my own.  I don't see myself as an up and coming major garlic producer but then again I haven't finished reading the book yet!  There is a lot of good information included so by the end I may just become a purist.  I know this, reading about all the pesticides used on commercial garlic not to mention the levels of lead, sulfites, arsenic, and beach sand in store bought garlic powder does cause one to stop and ponder.

I'm off to stop in over at Herrick's and thank him for the baker's dozen.  If you want to find out about his interesting Whizbang inventions and see photos of how his family butchers chickens you can find him at  www.TheDeliberateAgrarian.com.  The chicken story is on his blog. www.thedeliberateagrarian.blogspot.com/2006/08/processing-chickens-with-my-son.html.

Any great garlic recipes are now welcome !

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10:18 AM, Thursday, August 24, 2006 .. Posted by urbanfarmgirl

What a nice guy! I'll have to check out that book. I LOVE garlic.

As for garlic recipes, I basically put garlic in everything. ;o) I love it that much. But I'm also dying to try Farmgirl Fare's Garlic Lover's White Bean Soup:

http://foodiefarmgirl.blogspot.com/2006/03/garlic-lovers-white-bean-soup.html



Edited by urbanfarmgirl on Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 12:19 PM

Untitled Comment

11:34 AM, Thursday, August 24, 2006 .. Posted by justme

I just thought I'd let you know that deer and other critters have been known to eat garlic. Plant with care. I'd like to grow garlic maybe I will next year.

Roast It!

12:02 PM, Thursday, August 24, 2006 .. Posted by teapots66

Wow, I have never thought so much about garlic - you know Mary Jane Butters (maryjanesfarm.com) thinks about it, though, she makes a garlic pesto - check out her site, or let me know if you can't find it, maybe I can find the recipe in her book. You could maybe roast one of the garlics for some yummy bread spread & isn't that a good side dish to spaghetti? What a treat to get mail like that! -Chris

Garlic

7:51 PM, Thursday, August 24, 2006 .. Posted by Pattisea

Well, my mouth is watering as I think of garlic roasted and spread on french bread, sauted in olive oil for Kima or broiled onhomemade pizza!

What a neat surprise for you! Enjoy.

Patti

Thank you

5:23 PM, Sunday, August 27, 2006 .. Posted by Robin

Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my blog!

I hope you are having a nice Sunday, Warmly, Robin

great garlic chicken

7:54 PM, Thursday, August 31, 2006 .. Posted by Anonymous

When you roast chicken, peel a whole head of garlic and scatter all the cloves in (whole) around the chicken in the pan so they will roast right along with it. Serve rolls or slice hot french bread along with the chicken and mash the garlic onto it before you use it to sop up the juices. Mmmmm....
S.