Let’s just agree that an Indian meal is incomplete without pickles. Ask any Indian food lover, and they’ll agree. No one can explain what it is about pickles or achar that makes them one of the best accompaniments to have with any meal, but we sure know that there is an endless variety to choose from. The tangy and fiery taste of the pickles has got many swooning all across the world, and has us hooked to it every time we have parathas, khichdi, and dals to relish.
For the unversed, pickle is a tangy Indian accompaniment, which can be made with a variety of ingredients. From mango, lemon, carrot, green chilli, and red chilli to ginger, garlic, and more. We can make pickles using chicken and mutton too. The masala in which pickles are prepared has a distinct sour, zesty and chilly taste which bursts into myriad flavours once you taste it.
The process to make pickles, however, is a long one since it involves fermentation which is quite time-consuming. But what if we tell you that you can make one in just 10 minutes? We have a garlic pickle recipe that you can make at home within minutes, yet it would taste super delicious. Besides that, this pickle comes with a whole lot of health benefits. Here are a few.
1. Boosts immunity
Garlic tends to boost the immune system, which further helps prevent colds and flu. Eating garlic can protect against cough, fever, and cold illnesses. Having a piece of raw garlic exposes the bacteria to the tough healing properties of garlic, which helps prevent bacterial action in the gut. With an abundance of antibiotics and antifungal sulphur compounds including allicin, allin and ajeone, garlic is your best bet.
2. Good for heart
Garlic is known to be a magical ingredient that may help you lower cholesterol levels - both total and LDL (bad cholesterol). Moreover, its anti-inflammatory properties can also prevent blood circulation problems.
3. Detoxifies the body
Detoxification of the body leads to removal of things that don’t belong in the body, and is an important part of good health and long life. Garlic is a powerful detox food that provides important detoxifying components, including multiple bioactive selenium and sulphur compounds.
How to make garlic pickle at home
Now that you know how garlic is detrimental to our body, you would also know how it adds a whole lot of flavour to our food. It is a great balance of taste and health and, perhaps, that is why this instant garlic pickle is going to be your next favourite.
To begin with the recipe, first steam peel garlic cloves, and transfer them to a large bowl. Add all the spices including coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, fenugreek powder, salt to taste besides other spices of your choice. You can make it as spicy as you want it to be. Squeeze dollops of lemons on it. Post this, heat mustard oil in a wok, add mustard seeds and let them crackle. Once done, pour it over the steamed garlic cloves. Mix everything well and you are good to pair it with your everyday meal. You can store this pickle for about 2-3 months in an airtight jar.
