Lazy garlic/ginger etc - as good as fresh in a curry?

[TracyK]

I made a delicious curry last night - but it took my bloody ages to chop/prepare the garlic, chilli and ginger.

I've seen the jars of Lazy and often wondered if they really are as good as fresh esp in curries?

I cook a lot of curries and I think they're a great store cupboard ingredient. As long as you're cooking them long enough to evaporate the vinegar that they're stored in; I wouldn't use them in something raw like a salad dressing though.

I don't think the garlic one is - I used the lazy variety for a while but fresh garlic is so much better. I think the ginger one and chilli ones are closer to using the fresh thing though.

Yes I agree MrsJ, fresh is better. I only use the lazy versions in 'emergencies'.

Use Dorot frozen ginger and garlic - much better and frozen in cubes so you just pop them out into your pot. Also use frozen chopped onions. I get all these from Sainsburys. Made my life so much easier now. Also chillies can be added whole - you will still get the flavour from them though it may not be as hot so you can just add extra whole chillies if you like it hot.

Oh yes - I use frozen onions,and waitrose does chargrilled peppers (they taste nicer than ordinary frozen sliced peppers)

Good standby food. Chicken, frozen peppers & onions with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Roast it in the oven for 50 mins (covered) take cover off and serve with rice.

it works for me

I agree with stubbyfingers - fresh best but lazy good standby.

Why not do a comparison - make 2 curries simultaneously, 1 with fresh, 1 with lazy - not much extra work - fun for the family and then the rest can be frozen for a rainy/bad work day.

ps never used frozen onions but happy to give them a go.

not keen at all on the vinegary lazy ones - can still taste after cooking off.

Waitrose 'cook's ingredients' frozen garlic, chilli, ginger is BRILLIANT and I use it all the time. Also use frozen onion for anything stewy/saucy. Never chop anything now!

ps Morrisons/Tesco's also do frozen garlic and onions, think Sainsbury's do too.

I use this daily for garlic, just chuck it in and crush without having to peel, it effectively turns an ordinary garlic clove into lazy garlic without the nasty vinegar taste. (don't use the gadget to clean the holes, just pick out the peel with the point of a knife and chuck in dishwasher) Bit expensive but I've had mine about 8 years now and still working fine!