Annual Food & Drink Issue
Garlic is a magical ingredient. In addition to its delicious taste and intoxicating smell, garlic has a variety of health benefits and medicinal properties. It packs a lot of power for such a small plant! Garlic is a staple in any kitchen, as you’ll see in the following recipes. Here, local chefs share their favorite garlicky dishes and tips for cooking with the beloved aromatic.
Photography by Rich Smith
“Delicate. Flavorful. Simple. This tomato, basil, and garlic dish is simmered down with white wine and topped with creamy Italian burrata. The simplicity of the recipe makes it very versatile and can be an added element of richness to any pasta dish.” –Alexis West, Executive Chef
Drain tomatoes and crush with your hands until they are in bite-sized pieces. Be careful not to over-crush. Add tomatoes, basil chiffonade, salt, chicken stock, white wine, and minced garlic to a pot. Simmer on low heat until liquids are reduced and it creates a loose sauce consistency. Serve the simmered tomatoes hot with a room-temperature burrata placed on top. Top with fresh-cracked black pepper, a drizzle of basil oil, and basil leaves. Serve with toast points.
