Ginger garlic paste is typically not eaten on its own but used as a fundamental ingredient in cooking to build flavor in various dishes.
When incorporating ginger garlic paste into your meals, it's commonly added to hot oil or other ingredients during the initial stages of cooking. This helps to release its aromatic compounds and mellow its pungent flavor.
Using Ginger Garlic Paste in Cooking
One common method involves sautéing the paste with other aromatics and spices. For example, a reference describes a process:
- Heat a bit of oil in a pan and sauté onions until they become translucent.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, curry powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and chickpeas, and then simmer for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
This demonstrates how the paste is used as a flavor base, often added after initial aromatics like onions and before other main ingredients or liquids are introduced. It's a crucial step in developing the complex flavors of many cuisines, particularly in Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern dishes.
Common Culinary Uses
Ginger garlic paste is incredibly versatile and can be found in countless recipes, including:
- Curries and Stews: Sautéed with onions and spices as shown in the reference.
- Marinades: Mixed with yogurt, oil, or other liquids to tenderize and flavor meats, poultry, fish, or vegetables.
- Stir-fries: Added quickly at the beginning after heating oil, before adding vegetables and protein.
- Soups and Sauces: Incorporated into the base for added depth.
- Rice Dishes: Used when preparing flavored rice like biryani or pulao.
By cooking the paste, you transform its raw, sharp taste into a more rounded, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall dish. The "how to eat" question, therefore, really translates to "how to use ginger garlic paste in cooking."
In summary, you eat ginger garlic paste indirectly by incorporating it into cooked meals, where it serves as a powerful flavor enhancer rather than being consumed directly like a condiment.
