I got Ryan The Bob's Burgers Burger Book for Christmas. I've never watched Bob's Burgers myself, but Ryan does and I thought the book might give him some interesting burger ideas. He called on New Year's Day and raved about the recipes he had tried, so much, in fact, that I had to try at least one of them myself. His favorite (so far) is the "Bet It All on Black Garlic Burger", so I went on the hunt for black garlic.
Ryan had told me that it was not an easy-to-find ingredient, but for him that meant he had to drive about a mile to Whole Foods, find that they didn't carry it, then drive another mile to Trader Joe's where they had lots of it, and for a decent price. My nearest Trader Joe's is about 30 miles away, but Ryan assured me that the trip would be worthwhile. I went, spent some enjoyable time wandering the aisles, found the black garlic, and came home to give it a try.
This what the bulbs look like. It's easy to peel the skin off, place the cloves in a bowl, and mash them with a fork.
 |
| Yum ... black goo! |
Mix a bulb of mashed black garlic with 1/2 cup mayonnaise and you get this delicious condiment.
The book recommends using a blender, but my blender jar is pretty big for such a small amount, so I just mashed up the garlic. You could use an immersion blender if brown mayonnaise with black bits seems a little off-putting. Then simply build your burger: bottom bun spread with black garlic mayo, some raw baby spinach, burger topped with mozzarella, and the top bun spread generously with more black garlic mayo.
I didn't have any baby spinach, but the mozzarella and black garlic mayo is such a delicious combination that I don't think I was missing anything. It's hard to describe the taste of black garlic, but it's kind of earthy, sweet, and almost balsamic-like. To make it, bulbs of garlic are heated for a long period of time (30-40 days at ~ 140°) in a humid environment, producing wonderful caramelization (that famous Maillard reaction).
I'm not sure what I'll try next, maybe a mushroom and black garlic risotto, an omelette with black garlic and mozzarella cheese, or a simple tomato sandwich with the black garlic mayo. Whatever it might be, I'm sure it will be incredibly delicious!
Very interesting... I've never heard of black garlic before. My nearest Trader Joe's is in Milwaukee, 1.5 hours away, but I'm actually headed down there soon. That mayo sounds delicious!!
ReplyDeleteThere is a TJ very near me and I rarely wander the aisles, but now I have a reason. This could be an easy dinner Smith and I could whip up and with oven fries I think we'd have a winner!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of black garlic either! I wish I had a Trader Joe's near by...I think the closest one is 1 1/2 hours away :(
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I will have to look for this at my TJ's! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of black garlic but you've got me interested. I'll be on the look out for it at Trader Joe's.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting! I think black garlic mayo sounds wonderful, so I may have to hunt some down. No TJ's here, so I will have to see if I can find it online. That burger looks really good...
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm. Maillard! That looks so very tasty. I don't eat beef very often -- but when I do, it's usually a burger. YUM.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have never heard of black garlic, but that sounds so good. I need to go to TJs for a few things...will add that to the list.
ReplyDeleteMy TJ is pretty far away but I'm headed in that direction in February. Now I have a reason to stop in! Thanks Bonny!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. If I run into the black garlic I will definitely buy it and try it.
ReplyDeletethat looks and sounds delicious! I haven't heard of black garlic either, but yum, I'd definitely give it try (and my vote is for the risotto next!) also, wish we had TJs close. it's not 30 miles, but it is 15 and I rarely go...
ReplyDelete