Garlic on everything

I've been craving tomatoes since October and probably will through August. Until I can sink my teeth in a perfectly salted and sliced heirloom, I look for other opportunities to eat something indulgent and life affirming. Sometimes that means throwing an extra head of garlic in the oven while my carrots roast – a comforting and easy way to add unctuous flavor to any dish. Other times it's giving my egg sandwich a boost by rubbing a clove of garlic on my toast. That extra burn makes everything taste better. When I'm feeling any ounce of a cold creeping in, I mince garlic and add it to a cup of hot bone broth for that needed boost to the immune system.

Sensing a theme? Garlic is a magical food that is both equally delicious and good for you. The benefits range, and are ever-astounding. It can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce inflammation, combat Alzheimers and dementia, and it can also help you fight the common cold or flu. So if you can eat garlic, I recommend you do. A lot. This week, try these garlicky recipes: garlic soup, Filipino garlic fried rice (thanks for getting me hooked, Harana Market!), or just straight roasted garlic for sandwiches, dips, and more.