The Garlic Companion by Kristin Graves, is a sensory-rich invitation to savor garlic in every imaginable form. This is not just a cookbook—it’s a beautiful ode to garlic, a visual feast, and a heartfelt tribute from a fifth-generation Alberta farmer deeply rooted in the land. https://www.fifthgengardens.ca/
From the moment you crack open its pages, this book feels personal. Graves offers a concise yet vivid history of garlic—from its ancient roots in Mediterranean culture to the modern kitchen—and interweaves folklore, medicinal lore, and a sense of garlic as a cultural traveler. The author’s voice feels warm and grounded—she literally grew up elbow-deep in the garden—and it shows in how organically the information flows.
The book is divided into five well-paced sections:
- Know and Love – a captivating intro to garlic’s world
- Cook and Eat – 36 garlic-forward recipes that range from the familiar to the unexpected
- Make and Celebrate – nifty garlic crafts, from braids and wreaths to table decorations
- Plant and Grow – practical growing tips for garden-to-table dreams
- Harvest and Store – preservation techniques, storage solutions, and more
The recipe chapter is a star in itself. Think Honey Garlic Ribs, Garlic Scape Refrigerator Pickles, even daring delights like Black Garlic Chocolate Chip Cookies and Roasted Garlic and Honey Sorbet—comforting, inventive, irresistible. The recipes are clear and approachable, complete with ingredients lists, serving sizes, directions, and charming commentary from Graves.
The crafts are quirky and delightful—a garlic braid, a garlic-herb-sunflower table runner, floral arrangements accenting harvest festivities. We will soon be entering the entertaining seasons with Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas around the corner. Charcuterie boards have been taking center stage at these festivities but its time to add the Festive Butter Board found in our Recipe section. Each holiday will give you a different canvas to enjoy unique seasonal flavours and presentations. Have fun with it!
If there’s any critique to lodge, it’s that some readers expected more recipes or stronger focus on cooking—but this is really a multifaceted companion to garlic culture, not just a recipe book. Check it out and purchase the book at https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/kristin-graves/the-garlic-companion/9781635866872/ or win a copy in our Giveaway section.
The Garlic Companion is as robust as the ingredient it celebrates. With its generous dose of history, mouthwatering recipes, whimsical crafts, and practical farming guidance, all wrapped in stunning visuals, it feels like a love letter written in cloves. Whether you’re a kitchen novice, a garden enthusiast, or simply can’t get enough of garlic’s bold flavor and earthy charm, this book will reassure you that—you’re not just cooking—you’re celebrating.
Bottom line? If you’ve ever sighed, “When a recipe says one clove of garlic…” then this book is for you. Make space on your kitchen shelf and get ready to fall even harder for garlic.
Excerpted from The Garlic Companion © by Kristin Graves. Used with permission from Storey Publishing. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/kristin-graves/the-garlic-companion/9781635866872/