This is a must have if you enjoy cooking with and using garlic! There is lots of information on all the types of garlic and how to grow its and crafts you can make with garlic. There are also recipes containing garlic. This is a fantastic book for anyone who enjoys using garlic! Special Thank You to Kristin Graves,Storey Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Garlic lovers everywhere who want to grow, harvest, and preserve garlic will want to pick up The Garlic Companion: Recipes, Crafts, Preservation Techniques, and Simple Ways to Grow Your Own, by Kristin Graves. This excellent “bible” for garlic lovers covers about everything needed, as well as everything nice to know about this stinky herb. Graves’ writing style is easy to follow, and the prose is interesting to read. There is good information on types of garlic, how to use the types, and hints for peeling, roasting, etc. Graves covers the medicinal aspects of garlic as well as garlic folklore.

When I ordered the book, I was mostly interested in cooking new dishes with garlic, but I learned much more than I expected. While the information is perfect for anyone wanting to grow garlic, it is light on recipes using it. The recipes that are included are very appealing, and they are written in the traditional manner with the ingredients listed first followed by step-by-step instructions to insure success. Graves makes good comments at the beginning of each recipe with hints, vignettes, and information which is nice. It even includes uses for garlic scapes (the green part similar to green onions). There are also beautiful, professional photographs of recipes and other aspects of garlic.
All told, this is a book for serious garlic lovers.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Is it a cookbook or a gardening book or even a craft book? It's all of these but I think it's most interesting as a gardening book. Here we learn about garlic varieties, how to grow them, and store them. Then when we have them ready to eat there are recipes for fresh use and also how to preserve the harvest. Then there's a bonus section on decorating using garlic, especially the green scapes. How cool is that? This book has everything for the garlic lover.

This is a wonderful all-encompassing cookbook for the garlic-lover in your life! It covers everything from growing garlic, preserving garlic, to cooking with it. I loved that the recipes are divided into the types of garlic used in the recipes. The recipes sound delicious and the photos in the book are beautiful!

I'm gonna be honest with you, I didn't know there were so many things to know about garlic.

I love garlic, I add it to lots of foods, salads, marinades, sauces and so on, but I only eat the bulbs or the green V leaves. Now I really want to try the other edible parts. I might even try to grow some.

The book has many mother-watering recipes and while some are pretty common, some were not and I want to try everything now. Great book for any garlic lover.

I was expecting more extra vagrant recipes but these are all pretty basic. The information at the beginning was good and very informative but I was expecting more garlic.

For someone who claimed garlic was their favorite ingredient, I had no idea how little I knew about garlic!
I loved this excellent blend of garlic knowledge, recipes, and fun tips!
I'm going to buy a physical copy of this book for sure!

As a garlic enthusiast, I can't recommend "The Garlic Companion" enough. This book is a treat for anyone who believes garlic is the king of vegetables. The stunning photography immediately catches your eye, making it a beautiful addition to any kitchen shelf. But it's not just pretty – it's packed with useful info on everything from growing garlic to cooking with it. I think any person who likes garlic even a little will find something to love about it. What I appreciate the most about "The Garlic Companion" is that it isn't just a cookbook, but really a compendium of garlic in every possible faucet of garlicture.

The Garlic Companion is the ultimate garlic lovers cookbook and reference book! I love garlic and put it in almost every savory dish I make but I know now that I have barely scratched the surface of what garlic can be used for. This book taught me so much and I was gobbling up the information about the different garlic varieties, the folklore behind garlic, and all the ways it has been used over the generations.

When I got to the recipes section, I was delighted to see many different new recipes for savory options through the seasons, and if I'm being 100% honest a little wary to see the sweet and non-savory recipes using garlic! I will say, I did not try any of the sweet recipes (yet!) but part of the reason being my geographic location is severely lacking in the garlic varieties, particularly black garlic. Someday I will get my hands on black garlic and this book will be the first one I turn to for recipes using the black garlic!!

Thank you Netgalley, Kristin Graves and Story Publishing for the ARC!!

The Garlic Companion by Kristin Graves is unmissable for anyone intrigued with growing, eating or decorating with garlic. Not only is this book highly informative, the photography is phenomenal! The author and fifth-generation farmer on her Alberta family farm shares how she grows both hardneck and softneck (and helpfully lists varieties) , harvests, stores and preserves the ancient "stinking rose". She describes how garlic influenced social class, folklore and medicine in the past. Plus she explains the most successful ways to peel garlic and how to use it to repel pests.

The 36 irresistible and inspiring seasonal recipes include Garlic Confit (so many uses), Honey Garlic Ribs, Garlic Ginger Beef, Mint and Garlic Scape Butter, Black Garlic Simple Syrup (I am besotted with black garlic anything), Rosemary Garlic Salt and Festive Butter Board. I would be happy to make every single recipe here. The garlic braids and other decor are stunning!

After devouring this book, I am looking for interesting ways to implement one of my favourite herbs even more often. I just can't get enough. If this book doesn't beguile, what will?

My sincere thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this delectable book.

Must love garlic....

This book was very educational about all things garlic.
How to grow it, how to cook with it and to preserve it.
Thankfully, I have a Jones for garlic.
Recommend.

Great recipes, beautiful photography and text. A Must have for anyone fond of this allium!
A stunning book!

Book Review: The Garlic Companion by Kristin Graves

Rating: 5 Stars

Let me just start by saying, if you love garlic as much as I do, The Garlic Companion by Kristin Graves is an absolute must-have for your kitchen! As someone who considers garlic a food group of its own, I felt like this book was practically written for me, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint!

In this stunning cookbook, Kristin Graves takes us on a flavorful journey through the world of garlic. With 36 mouthwatering recipes that highlight garlic in all its forms, this book is a celebration of everything this pungent herb has to offer. From tempting dishes like Garlic Scape Refrigerator Pickles to Honey Garlic Ribs and even Black Garlic Chocolate Chip Cookies, I felt my taste buds tingling just reading the ingredient lists.

But that’s not all! The Garlic Companion is packed with a wealth of knowledge that goes beyond just recipes. Graves shares fascinating insights into garlic’s history and its uses in traditional medicine and folklore. Plus, she introduces us to the different varieties of garlic—each with its own unique flavor profile. It’s clear that her passion for this ingredient runs deep, and it’s contagious!

What really stood out to me was the plethora of tips on planting, harvesting, and preserving garlic. I had no idea how versatile garlic could be, from creating beautiful garlic braids to crafting decorations like wreaths. The book inspires you to not only cook with garlic but also to embrace it as part of your home decor and lifestyle.

And let’s not forget about the photography! The images are absolutely stunning and really bring the recipes and craft ideas to life. Each page is a visual feast that makes you want to grab your apron and get cooking right away.

In summary, The Garlic Companion is a delightful blend of culinary inspiration, practical advice, and creative projects—all centered around my favorite ingredient. If you’re a garlic lover like me, this book will elevate your culinary game and add some flair to your kitchen. It’s an amazing addition to any cookbook collection, especially for those who believe that garlic deserves a starring role at every meal!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This was lovely! Cookbooks that double as coffee table books are always a hit for me, and this one didn't disappoint. The pictures are beautiful, the recipes sinple and useful, and the stories woven throughout the book are very touching. I'll definitely add it to my Christmas wishlist!

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Garlic Companion is a well written and curated monograph on humble but wonderful garlic written by 5th generation farmer Kristin Graves. Due out 17th Sept 2024 from Hachette on their Storey imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is an all-in-one collection about garlic, from culture and properties, to using/showcasing the bulbs in food and crafts. The author is knowledgeable and writes well. The information is organized logically and is accessible and understandable. The introductory chapter contains botanical, historical, and pharmacological info (it's one of the most ancient agricultural products known to mankind and has been used as an ingredient in food and medicines since Neolithic times).

The following chapters are arranged logically: recipes for food, crafts, culturing garlic for the home gardener/DIY, and finally pickling & preserving.

Recipes contain an introduction and description, ingredients in a bullet list, followed by step-by-step cooking and prep. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) units with metric measurements in parentheses (yay!). Recipe ingredients are mostly easily sourced and will be available in any well stocked grocer or farmers' market in North America.

The crafts range the gamut from utterly practical (how to make a garlic braid) to a bit frou-frou but still on the good side of fun and quirky (a garlic harvest crown with wheat, flowers, and whole garlic bulbs).

Each of the recipes and tutorials is accompanied by one or more color photos. The photos are clear and professionally styled. Serving suggestions are appealing and appropriate.

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, gardening groups/allotment garden groups, smallholders, and home use. Really the definitive up-to-date volume on garlic.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Garlic Companion by Kristin Graves is a timely and invaluable resource for anyone interested in becoming more self-sufficient. As someone on a journey toward greater self-reliance, I found this book to be an excellent guide, packed with practical information and creative ideas.

One of the standout sections for me was on pickling and preserving garlic. The detailed instructions and insights into these processes were not only informative but also inspired me to try new techniques in my kitchen. The book is filled with fascinating tidbits about garlic, and as a crafter, I particularly enjoyed the sections dedicated to garlic-themed crafts. These projects are not only fun but also offer unique ways to incorporate garlic into various aspects of life beyond cooking.

The layout of The Garlic Companion is both aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly. The stunning photographs add a visual appeal that makes the book as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the table. The different types of garlic are beautifully illustrated, with clear labels and descriptions that make identification and storage straightforward. This attention to detail adds to the book’s value as a comprehensive guide.

The recipe section is another highlight, with its easy-to-navigate format that caters to both beginners and experienced cooks. The instructions are clear, and the variety of recipes ensures that there’s something for everyone, whether you’re just starting to explore garlic in your cooking or looking to expand your culinary repertoire.

Overall, The Garlic Companion is a beautifully laid-out celebration of garlic. It’s more than just a cookbook; it’s a visual and practical guide that will inspire and educate anyone who loves garlic or wants to learn more about its many uses. This book is truly a feast for the senses.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for gifting me an e-book in exchange for my honest review.

I haven’t used any cook books like this so far but this was so fun and I loved the story told through different recipes and pictures of the author and the garlic farm. Some fab recipes and great tips for growing, cooking, storing, and creating with garlic. Some really cute ideas for those who are more crafty of what can be made with garlic. I also loved that it included different forms of garlic and types of garlic which can be explored I had no idea different types of garlic had such different flavours.

The Garlic Companion by Kristin Graves is a great book for garlic lovers, especially those who are interested in growing their own. It has recipes and lots of gorgeous photographs. It also teaches readers about the different varieties of garlic and helps them choose the best kind for their growing area and palate. The book walks readers through the entire season - from planting to harvesting, drying, and storing their garlic.

Thanks to Storey Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for a review copy of The Garlic Companion.

I know what you're thinking... garlic chocolate chip cookies???

The answer is yes! Just everything about this was so interesting and it brought me so many different perspectives on it.

Did I originally want this book because of the recipes? Yes, but then I got so much more and now I can't wait to share my knowledge of garlic with others!

Thank you to the author and the publishing house for allowing me to live my greatest life with garlic <3

The authors of this cookbook share amazing behind the scenes tips and tactics to grow and cook with garlic in multiple forms- like black garlic and garlic scapes. As someone who doesn’t garden, I found the book enjoyable. For those who are interested in harvesting their own garlic this would be a great read.