Episode 6 : Garlic Braiding
Bob is off to the picturesque town of Arleux, France, the garlic capital of the world, to enter in a garlic braiding contest. Arleux is famous for its smoked garlic and still uses a centuries-old tradition to prepare it: Garlic bulbs are tied into bouquets with raffia and woven into long braids which are hung up to be smoked with peat. Bob has just one and a half minutes to weave 90 heads of garlic into a perfect braid. Only local farmers are allowed to participate, so first Bob has to prove his worth at a local garlic farm. Then he practices braiding techniques at a hair salon and a bakery. After a lesson in varieties of garlic and some taste-testing at some regional restaurants, he's ready to go garlic head-to-garlic head with the best of the best local braiders.
Recipe:
Garlic Soup
This simple, rustic recipe comes direct from the soup stalls at the Arleux Garlic Festival in France, where Bob tries his hand at garlic braiding.
- Ingredients:
- 1 head of garlic, skinned but not chopped
- 200g of potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 40g of carrots, peeled and chopped
Directions:
1. Put all the ingredients into a pan with 1¼ litres of salted water.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Simmer, covered, for 90 minutes.
4. Tip into a blender and blend until smooth, or pass through a strainer.
5. Add a good shake of pepper and a large knob of butter.
6. Serve immediately.
