Garlic Shoots or Suan Tai (蒜苔）are too quickly overlooked in the West and quickly discarded before thought for creative dishes can be put to work. Sometimes referred to as garlic spears, these are one of the favourite vegetables in China. This is what Mark Thirlwall co-founder of The Hutong suggest for this fabulous spring time healthy twist to your cooking:
1. Add to baked rice (Simply cook your rice for the last 15 mins in oven): Finely chop garlic shoots with plain yogurt or a ricotta cheese and some fresh dill or fennel and a little pepper. Pour over cooked rice for a healthy simple meal to serve along side other dishes.
2. Chop the garlic to 4cm long lengths and stir fry with cherry tomato’s. Add a light seasoning of lemon garlic, pink salt and pepper.
3. Combine garlic shoots, some tasty cheddar cheese and nuts (brazil, walnut and macadamia, not limited to pine nuts) to a food processor, slowly add some tea seed oil (avail. from any Chinese supermarket) and 1/2 cup white wine a little at a time until you have reached desired thickness. Pesto can be served in a variety of consistencies, just do it the way you like. Tastes divine with fresh pasta shells and drizzle of olive oil and cracked pepper
