Garlic is an essential spice in almost every kitchen. Beyond being just a cooking ingredient, garlic is packed with powerful health benefits. Scientific studies have shown that garlic can help support heart health, improve respiratory function, boost immunity, and reduce the formation of free radicals—the leading cause of many types of cancer.

Below are some easy and delicious garlic-infused recipes that home cooks and kitchen lovers will absolutely enjoy trying out.

Garlic Fried Rice

Ingredients:

  • 1 bulb of garlic
  • 500g cooked rice (preferably a bit dry; avoid mushy rice)
  • 1–2 eggs
  • Spring onions and herbs
  • Cooking oil, oyster sauce, salt, seasoning powder, fish sauce, MSG, pepper

Instructions:

  1. Peel and finely chop the garlic.
  2. Heat about 4 tablespoons of oil in a pan. Add garlic and stir-fry until golden and fragrant.
  3. Add the rice and stir for about 10 minutes. Season to taste, and keep stirring until the rice is firm and evenly coated.
  4. Add chopped spring onions and herbs.
  5. Fry eggs separately to your preferred doneness.
  6. Plate the garlic fried rice with eggs on the side and enjoy.

Garlic Caramelized Shrimp

Ingredients:

  • Fresh shrimp
  • Minced garlic
  • Bell peppers (optional)
  • Seasonings: Cooking oil, fish sauce, seasoning powder, MSG, sugar, pepper

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the shrimp: Cut off the antennae, remove the black vein along the back, rinse, and let drain completely.
  2. Make the sauce: Mix equal parts water and fish sauce. Add pepper, seasoning powder, MSG, and chili sauce. Stir until well combined.
  3. Fry the shrimp: Heat oil in a pan. Add shrimp and fry over high heat to avoid water release and achieve a crispy outer layer. Once they turn red, remove them from the pan.
  4. Make the garlic sauce: Sauté minced garlic until golden. Add the sauce and chopped bell pepper, stirring until it thickens slightly.
  5. Return the shrimp to the pan. Toss until the shrimp are well coated with the sauce. Serve hot.

Garlic Stir-Fried Beef

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Ingredients:

  • 400g beef
  • 3–4 garlic bulbs
  • 2 shallots
  • Spring onions
  • Seasonings: Soy sauce, fish sauce, seasoning powder, MSG, sugar, pepper, cooking oil, oyster sauce

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the beef: Rinse and slice thinly across the grain to keep the meat tender. Marinate with 1 tsp MSG, 1 tsp seasoning powder, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp fish sauce, and ½ tsp pepper. Let sit for 15–20 minutes.
  2. Chop the aromatics: Finely mince the garlic and shallots. Slice the spring onions.
  3. Cook the beef: Heat oil in a pan, sauté garlic and shallots, then add the marinated beef. Stir for about 3 minutes, then add 1 tbsp oyster sauce. Cook for another 3–5 minutes. Adjust seasoning and add spring onions. Sprinkle with pepper or sesame seeds if desired.

Garlic Stir-Fried Water Spinach – A Simple Yet Flavorful Favorite

Garlic stir-fried water spinach is a dish that’s deeply familiar to many Vietnamese households. But have you ever wondered why the version served in restaurants always looks vibrant green and stays crisp, while yours sometimes turns dark and limp? Don’t worry—we’re here to share the secret to cooking this dish perfectly, just like in your favorite restaurant.

Ingredients:

  • Water spinach (rau muống)
  • Garlic
  • Common seasonings: Salt, cooking oil, seasoning powder, sugar, MSG, fish sauce

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prep the Water Spinach

  • Pick and rinse the water spinach thoroughly. Depending on your preference, you can keep the leaves or use just the stems.
  • Pro Tip: The key to vibrant, crisp water spinach is to blanch it briefly before stir-frying. Bring water to a boil, add a little salt and a splash of cooking oil, then add the spinach.
  • Do not cover the lid. This quick blanching reduces stir-fry time, keeping the spinach from overcooking and losing its color.
    Once the spinach is just tender, transfer it immediately to cold water to stop the cooking process.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

Peel the garlic, rinse, smash, and finely chop it. Heat oil in a pan and sauté the garlic until golden and fragrant. Tip: Use a pan that’s appropriately sized for the amount of spinach—too small and it’ll be hard to stir evenly.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Spinach

Once the garlic is golden, add the blanched spinach to the pan. Stir quickly over high heat—since the spinach is already cooked, over-stirring can make it too soft and lose its crunch. Season to taste with your choice of salt, fish sauce, or other spices. Mix well, then transfer to a plate.

Delicious Garlic Bread – A Buttery Delight from Italy

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taly is the birthplace of garlic bread—a dish that has become a familiar appetizer at European parties. Today, this buttery, aromatic bread is also a favorite in Vietnam. If you’re getting bored of sandwiches or milk bread for breakfast, this rich, flavorful European-style garlic bread is a delicious way to switch things up. It’s easy to make, satisfying to eat, and gives you a solid energy boost for the day.

Did you know?

According to nutrition experts, an adult body needs around 2,000 to 2,200 calories per day, which means each meal can range from 600 to 750 calories. Just 100 grams of garlic bread contains over 500 calories, nearly equal to a full meal! So garlic bread is a perfect choice for a quick breakfast—or as a tasty party treat if you manage your daily calorie intake well. With its golden crust, buttery flavor, and savory aroma, it’s a dish that rarely disappoints. Feel free to enjoy it with extras like bacon or fried eggs for an even more indulgent experience.

Ingredients:

  • 3 long baguettes or round loaves
  • 50g unsalted butter
  • 2 bulbs of garlic
  • Seasonings: Sugar, salt, pepper
  • Dried oregano
  • Fresh cilantro (or parsley)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Slice the Bread

You can cut the bread however you like, but try not to slice it too thin or it may dry out while baking.

  • For baguettes: Slice in half lengthwise or into thick slices (about 2–3 cm).
  • For round loaves: Cut into triangle-shaped wedges from the center.

Step 2: Prepare Garlic and Herbs

  • Peel 2 garlic bulbs, rinse, and finely mince or blend them.
  • Wash and finely chop the cilantro (or your preferred herb).

Step 3: Make Garlic Butter Sauce

  • Melt the butter using a microwave or double boiler.
  • Add a pinch of salt, sugar, and pepper to taste. Stir well.
  • Mix in the minced garlic, chopped herbs, and dried oregano.
    This mixture is your flavorful garlic butter sauce.

Step 4: Spread the Sauce on the Bread

  • Use a cooking brush or spoon to evenly coat the surface of each bread slice with the garlic butter sauce. Tip: Spread generously, but avoid dipping the bread directly into the sauce to keep it crisp.

Step 5: Bake the Bread – Choose Your Method

1. Using an Oven
  • Preheat to 170°C (340°F).
  • Bake the bread for 10–15 minutes, or until golden on top.
  • Remove, brush on more garlic butter, and bake for another 5–10 minutes until fully golden and crispy.
2. Using an Air Fryer
  • Line the basket with foil and preheat at 180°C (356°F).
  • Place the bread in and bake for 10–15 minutes depending on your preference.
  • Brush with more garlic butter and air-fry for an additional 5 minutes.
3. Using a Non-Stick Pan
  • If you don’t have an oven or air fryer, a non-stick pan works too!
  • Heat the pan on low and add the bread slices.
  • Toast one side until golden, then brush garlic butter on the other side and flip to cook until crispy. Note: Use low heat to prevent burning.
4. Using a Rice Cooker
  • Lay the bread flat in the rice cooker (don’t stack).
  • Close the lid and press “Cook”.
  • Once one side is golden, flip the slices, brush on more garlic butter, and continue cooking until both sides are golden brown.
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