EPC 'Very Lazy Garlic'

...have in a jar of EPC Lazy Garlic for when I want to knock up quick garlic bread or just in case I've run out of the fresh.

=== A GARLIC HISTORY LESSON ===

The word garlic comes from Old English garleac, meaning, "spear leek." They date back over 6,000 years, it is native to Central Asia, and is a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

...
...of a handy jar of EPC Very Lazy Garlic in their cupboards!!!

=== GARLIC AS A MEDICINE ===

As well as tasting good, garlic has long been considered a medicinal food.
In the Middle Ages it was even used to protect against plague, Hippocrates used garlic fumes to treat cervical cancer; garlic poultices were placed on wounds during World War II as an inexpensive, and apparently quite effective replacement for antibiotics, ... more

The English Provender Company

Very Lazy Garlic

Don't believe the rumours that there are a group of vampires hanging around Glasson Dock and that is the reason I get through so much garlic!!
The truth is we just love the stuff.
I like to use fresh garlic, and I love the smoked garlic I buy from the local smokehouse in our village, but I do like to have in a jar of EPC Lazy Garlic for when I want to knock up quick garlic bread or just in case I've run out of the fresh.

A GARLIC HISTORY LESSON

The word garlic comes from Old English garleac, meaning, "spear leek." They date back over 6,000 years, it is native to Central Asia, and is a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Garlic has been used as both food and medicine for thousands of years, we know that is was as far back as the time that the Giza pyramids were built, as it was buried in the tombs. Garlic is even mentioned in the Bible and the Talmud. Hippocrates, Galen, Pliny the Elder, and Dioscorides all mention the use of garlic for many conditions, including parasites, respiratory problems, poor digestion, and low energy. Its use in China was first mentioned in A.D. 510. I don't think thpough that these people had the benefit of a handy jar of EPC Very Lazy Garlic in their cupboards!!!

GARLIC AS A MEDICINE

As well as tasting good, garlic has long been considered a medicinal food.
In the Middle Ages it was even used to protect against plague, Hippocrates used garlic fumes to treat cervical cancer; garlic poultices were placed on wounds during World War II as an inexpensive, and apparently quite effective replacement for antibiotics, which were scarce during wartime.

Now science is beginning to prove theses medicinal properties and according to scientists, herbalists and naturopaths, daily doses of garlic, can:
1. Lower blood pressure
2. Lower blood cholesterol.
3. Act as a nasal decongestant - clearing catarrh
4. Keep away colds
5. Act as an anti-viral and anti-bacterial agent
6. Clear up boils, because of the anti-bacterial properties
7. Help clear up asthma
8. Fight symptoms of arthritis
9. Stop the formation of blood clots

Another piece of garlic bread anyone!!!

THE ENGLISH PROVENDER COMPANY

The EPC is a relatively new company; John Curwin, who was a former egg farmer, started English Provender in the mid 1980s on a small scale, supplying local delis etc, In1991 the company took off on a bigger scale, it is based in Thatcham, Berkshire. It has though become a very popular company in the better quality end of food products, concentrating mainly on the condiment side of the industry.
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When they started their groundbreaking Very Lazy range of ingredients and dessert sauces it revolutionised cooking for a lot of people, two of their products are featured in the 'Delia's Cheats' book.

The Very Lazy Range includes both ingredients (like garlic, ginger and chilli) as well as dessert sauces (like Raspberry Coulis and Belgian Chocolate Sauce)

VERY LAZY GARLIC

I am lucky enough to live close to a Booth's supermarket that stocks a lot of top of the range produce, and they do stock the complete range of EPC goods, it was here that I purchased my little jar of 'instant garlic'!!
I have had the tubes of the garlic paste in the paste but found them to be rather artificial tasting, this is a far superior product.
If you are the type of cook who hates the garlicky fingers after skinning and chopping fresh garlic cloves, or the rather long-winded job of cleaning a garlic crusher after use I am sure that you will love this very lazy garlic.

JUST WHAT DO YOU GET?

Each little jar holds 125g of crushed garlic, the garlic is preserved in white wine vinegar (which does not affect the taste of the garlic or of your cooking), I have seen garlic cloves stored in olive oil, but I think that this is just adding unwanted oil to your cooking, and if you are following a low fat diet could hinder it.

The jar is actually a very attractive little jar; small clear glass with a black screw lid, and a black label with distinctive writing on it, the whole jar does tend to shout 'class' at you, if you know what I mean. I pay £1.69 for the jar at Booth's and it is available to purchase from the EPC website for £1.74.
You can probably buy it cheaper at the likes of Sainsbury's; Booth's isn't renowned for it's low prices!!

Once the jar has been opened it will store in the fridge for up to twelve weeks, the size and style of the jar means that it stores handily in the shelves in the fridge door.

The aroma and taste of the garlic is just as good as fresh garlic, it is a really handy product to keep in. I teaspoon of Very Lazy Garlic is roughly equivalent to one clove of garlic, so it does work out at quite economical - especially if you don't use masses of garlic as cloves of fresh garlic can go soft very quickly.

SOME LITTLE TIPS ON USING VLG

Naturally VLG can be used in any of the normal ways of using garlic- spag bol, lasagne, soups, sauces etc.
I find that I use loads more garlic in the summer, as it is a regular ingredient in my BBQ recipes and marinades.

I cook a jacket potato in the microwave, allow to cool then cut into wedges, sprinkle in olive oil, garlic and sea salt - they are lovely on the BBQ.

A bag of raw tiger prawns with a little butter, garlic, parsley and seasoning and cooked on the BBQ in a foil container are also another favourite.

Away from the BBQ there are loads more uses, make a quick lemon & garlic mayo dip by mixing some VLG, lemon juice and black pepper into mayonnaise.

No naan bread in for that curry? Improvise with some cheap pitta breads; mix garlic with salt and chopped coriander into some butter and spread on the pittas and bake for 10 minutes.

I could go on and on, so I'd better stop or else this will be one mega review!!

IN CONCLUSION

I would really recommend that you add one of these jars of Very Lazy Garlic to your shopping trolley; I know that you won't regret it.
I can also recommend the Very Lazy Ginger and Chilli.

Summary: I could crush a clove of garlic!!

 

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