Crisp and Aromatic Garlic Scape Salad
Making a Delicious Salad with Garlic Scapes, a Spring Seasonal Ingredient
As the season for new garlic arrives, so does an abundance of garlic scapes. Garlic scapes are a wonderful ingredient, often used for pickles or stir-fries. Today, I’m sharing a recipe for a salad that preserves their crisp texture. Garlic scapes are the flower stalks of garlic, containing many of garlic’s beneficial compounds, reportedly up to 70% of its efficacy. They are particularly rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant, even more so than garlic itself. Knowing that garlic scapes are good for your health and act as a natural tonic, why not make a delicious side dish with this healthy ingredient?
Main Ingredients- 6 garlic scapes
- 10 whole cloves of garlic
- 1/2 red chili pepper
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (or tuna extract)
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (or tuna extract)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the garlic scapes and whole garlic cloves. Trim the garlic scapes and cut them into lengths of about 4-5 cm. If the garlic cloves are large, cut them in half.
Step 2
Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the halved garlic cloves and sauté until they are golden brown and fragrant. This slow sautéing brings out their flavor.
Step 3
Once the garlic has started to soften and become fragrant, add the prepared garlic scapes to the pan. Continue to stir-fry them with the garlic. Be careful not to overcook them, as the goal is to maintain their crispness.
Step 4
Lightly sauté the garlic scapes just enough to remove their raw pungency. Then, add the balsamic vinegar and fish sauce. Stir-fry until the sauce coats the garlic scapes and garlic, allowing the flavors to meld. The balsamic vinegar adds a touch of sweet and sour, while the fish sauce provides a savory depth.
Step 5
Once the flavors have infused into the ingredients, add the red chili pepper for color and a hint of mild spice. Stir briefly to combine and finish the dish.
Step 6
I was inspired to make this garlic scape salad after trying it at a buffet; I found it so unique! My husband, who absolutely loves garlic, really enjoyed it too. The combination of balsamic vinegar and fish sauce not only seasons the dish perfectly but also creates a surprisingly harmonious flavor profile with a delightful umami. It’s a wonderfully versatile dish that can be served as a side or as a light salad.
