Have you ever heard of black garlic? Neither have I before now.
As an avid cook, I’m always on the lookout for new ingredients and when I was offered a sample of black garlic I just couldn’t refuse. There were questions swimming around in my head that needed answering…
What does black garlic look like?
In bulb form, it doesn’t look much different except that the white outer layers have a slightly brown sheen. However, the cloves inside are the deepest brown you can ever imagine – almost black. The flesh feels squidgy and slightly oily.
What does black garlic taste like?
Ah, the taste test. Feeling a bit wimpy I dared a friend to taste a slice with me. Standing in the kitchen with a thin slice each I started counting down….three…two…what?! She already put it in her mouth! Brave girl.
The taste is difficult to describe. Definitely pungent. Definitely garlic. Sweet. Sour. Serious. A favourite line of mine:
“Liquorice gone wrong.”
Is black garlic healthy?
Yes! Black garlic is made with no additives. Of course, it contains all the health benefits of regular garlic but it also acts as a natural occurring antibiotic and anti-fungal qualities. Lastly, black garlic contains double the anti-oxidants regular garlic does.
As for my mushroom and black garlic pâté, I struggled to taste the key ingredient. Maybe more cloves would have done the trick. It still tasted darn good though!
If all else fails and you can’t get hold of black garlic you can use regular garlic in this recipe instead – just half the amount use because its flavour is much more powerful than its aged peer.
Love pate recipes? Check out this chicken liver pate.
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Mushroom & Black Garlic Pâté
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4
Ingredients
- 40g (1½ oz) butter
- 15ml (1 tbsp) oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 black garlic cloves
- 450g (1 lb) button or field mushrooms, washed and sliced
- 15g (½ oz) dried porcini mushrooms, soaked for 30 minutes then drained
- 15ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice
- 45ml (3 tbsp) ricotta cheese
- 45ml (3 tbsp) cream cheese
Instructions
- Heat the butter and oil in a large frying pan and fry the onions and garlic for 5-6 minutes until softened.
- Add the mushrooms and porcini, and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Leave to cool.
- Coarsely blend the mushroom mixture with the lemon juice, ricotta and cream cheese in a food processor.
- Season, to taste, then spoon into a serving dish. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm.
Notes
- Crostini goes beautifully with this pâté. Otherwise enjoy with your favourite crusty bread.
- Drizzle some balsamic vinegar reduction over the pâté for extra sweetness.
- If you can’t get hold of black garlic, you can easily use half the amount of standard garlic in the recipe instead.
- Large flat mushrooms have more flavor than the smaller button mushrooms.
- If you don’t like a strong mushroom flavour, omit the porcini mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 254
- Sugar: 1.8 g
- Sodium: 562 mg
- Fat: 20.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 10.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.7 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 41 mg
mo hall
Hi
I first discovered this a few years ago and thought it was fabulous, it makes a great conversation piece. I love the texture and taste, which is really good for veggie food.
So thanks for reminding me that I still have some tucked away at the back of the cupboard and will now try the recipe.
cheers
Mo
Vegi Table
Marisa
Want want want! I love the look of the shiny black bulbs.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
These pictures look amazing. I really really need a new lens badly. And lights.
Alison
Wonderful to be introduced to a fascinating food product that we haven’t come across before thanks – we feel compelled to give it a try now!
Renil M. George
I never imagined you could mix Black Garlic Pâté with Mushroom. Thanks for this innovative idea.
★★★★★