AROMATIC TASTE ENHANCER: GINGER GARLIC PASTE
Ginger and garlic by themselves can add a spicy flavor to any dish. They give the dish you are cooking an earthy, spicy flavor when combined. They completely transform the dish’s flavor and make it more delicious. In addition to this, cooking with ginger garlic paste provides a number of additional health advantages.
The combination of ginger and garlic paste in cooking provides anti-inflammatory properties and improves digestion by preventing bloating, constipation, stomach aches, gastric ulcers, and diarrhea. Additionally, ginger garlic paste helps treat pain and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory agents and improves the circulatory system. It also delays aging by providing antioxidants that boost immunity and prevent chronic health problems, increase blood circulation, and aid in rejuvenating the skin. Ginger garlic paste also provides other health benefits such as detoxifying the body, increasing libido, and relieving nasal congestion and flu.
In South Indian cooking, ginger garlic paste is used as a base for many dishes, adding a depth of flavor and aroma to the dish. For example, in the preparation of curries, the paste is first sautéed in oil to release its flavors, before other ingredients are added. This initial step is essential in enhancing the overall taste of the dish. Similarly, in the preparation of stews and soups, the paste is added early in the cooking process to infuse the broth with its flavors.
Ginger garlic paste is also commonly used as a marinade for meats and vegetables, adding flavor and tenderness to the dish. In South Indian cooking, this paste is used to marinate seafood, chicken, and mutton, which are then grilled or roasted for a delicious and flavorful meal. Ginger garlic paste is often added to gravies along with other ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and green peppers to enhance the taste and aroma of the dish.
This paste is also a staple in many rice dishes, such as pulao, chana masala, matar paneer, biryanis, and other rice-based curries. Using it in recipes like rasam, kebabs, sambhar, matar paneer, and malai kofta is fantastic. Your curries, vegetables, parathas, pizzas, pasta, mexican cuisine, and dal can all benefit from the addition of ginger garlic paste, which also adds a wholesome flavor to a variety of appetisers.
The use of ginger garlic paste showcases the rich culinary heritage and the emphasis on flavorful, aromatic, and healthy dishes. This combination of ingredients has been used for centuries in the region, and it continues to be a staple in traditional and contemporary cooking in South India. Whether it is used as a base for gravies or added to rice dishes for extra flavor, ginger garlic paste is a must-have ingredient in their culture.
Visit Amma’s South Indian Restaurant to have a taste of authentic South Indian Food.
