Topic: wild garlic.

[Geoffbrick]

Been foraging in the wilds of Warwickshire and collected a goodly bit of wild garlic.
Got home,washed it,used it in a Chicken Tikka salad with croutons and mayo,has anyone used it in a serious curry dish?Tasted ok with the salad.Perhaps it's good for arthritis!!!

[Peripatetic Phil]

Been foraging in the wilds of Warwickshire and collected a goodly bit of wild garlic.
Got home,washed it,used it in a Chicken Tikka salad with croutons and mayo,has anyone used it in a serious curry dish?

If it's the same thing as "ransoms", then yes, we had a plentiful supply when we lived in Tunbridge Wells and I regularly used it in curries there, but I don't remember that it had any great effect on the overall flavour.  I would use the stalks in the same way that I used coriander; stirred into the curry near the end of cooking, and then sprinkled raw on top.

** Phil.

[Curry addict bob]

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Celebrity chef Often uses it on river cottage but I've never tasted it.

[Invisible Mike]

Curry Addict Bob. He does! I met Hugh about a month ago at the opening of Harborne food school in Birmingham and had a couple of books signed. We actually chatted about foraging too, he's a real nice fella! If you want to find some wild garlic check out damp shady places, woods, cemeteries, river and stream banks etc. Its a milder flavour than normal garlic and is bareable raw. Have a look. On a warm day you'll often smell it before you see it. Just don't pick lilly of the valley or lords and ladies by accident!

Geoffbrick. Where in Warks are you? I know some patches of wild garlic along the River Arrow around Arrow Valley Lake/Ipsley area.

Phil. Being a denizen of Kent you may be aware the name Ramsgate is actually derived from the name Ransoms. In fact any place name with 'Ram' in it is said to come from the word.

I'm using lots of it at the minute in salads, risottos, pasta dishes etc. I even salt and pickle the buds once the flowers have finished and make "capers" with them. There's also crow garlic aswell which looks like chives. It's a great time of year to be out foraging. I found my first St George's mushrooms of the year last week. They are absolutely delish!

[Naga]

Very interesting and informative, Mike! There are always little gems of personal knowledge and experience popping up. Thanks for posting!

[Geoffbrick]

Mushroom Mike ,Hi mate,dont live in Warks ,but forage around back of Studley, Gt Alne area,as you say by streams damp areas,a fair old area.Originally from north of the border,but live in the Stourbridge area after moving from the Quinton area.Had the opportunity to forage for wild garlic again today all around the Bromyard area,Id say its going over slightly now.Made some more garlic butter with it,tastes good with bread in the oven for a wee while,but had it on new potatoes,lovely.Would like to meet Hugh Fearnley Whitingstall,would like his advice on killing grey squirrels,as he kills and eats them,they play havoc with all the bird feeders here,I could easily do away with them.

Geoffbrick

[Invisible Mike]

Yeah I know Studley and Great Alne well. I'm in Bromsgrove myself so not far away. Theres another great place for it nearer to you than that though and that's at Kinver along the Staffs & Worcs canal. You go along the towpath over the aquaduct (which passes over the River Stour) and the woods to the left are full of it. Might save you a few miles travelling.... I don't know a lot about squirrels other than they taste nice. Maybe an air rifle would be Hugh's prescribed method!