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laba garlic recipe

Laba Garlic Recipe

Laba garlic is a traditional Chinese dish that has been enjoyed for centuries.
This tangy and slightly sweet pickled garlic is not only a delight to your taste buds but also carries significance in Chinese culture.
Often prepared and consumed during the Laba Festival, this unique recipe has found its way into many households, adding a burst of flavor to rice, noodles, and dumplings.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Pickling time 21 days
Total Time 21 days 10 minutes
Servings 12
Equipment
  • 1 pot
  • 1 jar
  • 1 saucepan
Ingredients
  
  • 250- gram fresh garlic
  • 200 g of white sugar
  • 400 ml of mature vinegar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 5- star anise
  • 2 dried red chili peppers
  • 1 tsp of salt
Instructions
 
  • Preparation: Start by peeling the fresh garlic cloves, ensuring there are no impurities.
    Rinse the cloves thoroughly under running water.
    Blanching: In a pot filled with boiling water, blanch the garlic cloves for about 1 minute.
    This will soften the garlic and prepare it for the action of garlic enzymes.
    After blanching, drain the water and set the garlic aside.
  • Vinegar preparation: In a saucepan, combine 400ml of mature vinegar, 200g of white sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, 5 star anise, 2 dried red chili peppers, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
    Slowly heat the vinegar mixture on the stove while stirring.
    Make sure not to let it boil, as excessive heat can affect the final taste of Laba garlic.
    Cooling the mixture: After the sugar and salt are dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. 
  • Pickling: Place the blanched garlic cloves in a sterilized glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
    Pour the cooled vinegar mixture onto the garlic cloves, ensuring they are fully submerged.
    Seal the jar tightly.
    Fermentation: Store the jar with the garlic cloves in a cool, dark place for at least 3 weeks.
    This will provide enough time for the garlic cloves to fully absorb the flavors from the vinegar mixture, resulting in a traditional, delicious Chinese dish called Laba garlic.
    Now, your Laba garlic is ready! It can be enjoyed in various ways, such as a side dish condiment, or incorporated into other dishes that call for its unique sweet and savory flavor. 
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