Onion Storage Pot

After graduating, one of my very first jobs was at a Law Centre in Glasgow city centre.  During my lunch hour, I would spend time either flicking through cookbooks or admiring kitchen things and making a mental 'wish list'.  It was always for small things, but even they cost a fair bit. 

So at the end of the month when I got paid. I would treat myself to either a cookbook or something for the kitchen.  

Next to the garlic keeper, I have I guess what you would call an Onion Store Pot.  I got it from this  shop at a reduced price, because it had a small chip in it. See the brim of the main body. It doesn't bother me. I still liked how the onions were illustrated on the base and on the lid. This terracota pot stores about up to 6 - 7 medium onions.  I've been told by my mother, that I won't need to buy any onions (or potatoes) when we move down to Wales, as they buy in bulk from a farmer.  Ah I foresee lots of benefits coming my way.   

Garlic Baker and a Garlic Keeper

Over the years, I have collected various kinds of containers to store all manner of food related things, but today I will share the one designed specifically for garlic bulbs and garlic cloves.

There are many names for this garlic pot.  Its also known as a garlic keeper jar or garlic container. Its not just functional, but also quite smart to be displayed. 

The terracotta garlic pot ( on the right hand side) is the one I use to store my fresh garlic.  Of course, if it was homegrown, I would have no need for this, as it would have been strung like onions. 

The garlic baker (on the left) of which I have two (see here) have actually never ever been used.  One I admit is for display purposes and it sometimes holds excess garlic bulbs, but the other is functional and can actually be used in the oven.  Ah maybe I'll use it when I down.

Garlic Presser or is it a Garlic Crusher?

I've mentioned before that in my kitchen, you will always find three fresh ingredients: onions, ginger and garlic. 

And these days in the modern kitchen, where there is fresh garlic, there is often a garlic presser or is it a garlic crusher?!  Whichever it is, I know its not an essential gadget, but I assure you once you find a good one - there is no going back.  I've never been that apt at mincing or crushing garlic by hand, my efforts are limited to slicing it thin.  So when I acquired this garlic crusher, I was completely sold.  I use it almost on a daily basis.  I've had it for over 10 years now.     

I actually won this while I was still a student in Glasgow through a food magazine.  In fact it was the first thing I had ever won.  I now often wonder how I ever managed without it in the kitchen. Here are a couple of recipes that make the most of garlic -  Garlic and Shallot Risotto and Jalapeno, Garlic and Kale Stew. 


An Update:  I think you will seriously need to get your violins out.  For the past five days I have been stuck in bed with a chest and throat infection.  It was so severe that my mother made an emergency appointment to go and see her GP, who prescribed me with antibiotics.  Unfortunately, this illness coincided with my job interview and presentation to a panel of 6.  In short, I did not get the job I had applied for.  I cannot tell you how disappointed I am with this outcome and haven't stopped crying to myself for the last two days.  My parents keep telling me 'to take heart and be strong', but the thought of going back to the Unemployment centre for very little financial support and a lot of nonsense fills me with dread.  All I have encountered from the heartless workers there is total unhelpfulness.  They treat you like a number and try to assert their piddly authority over you, and make out that your not trying hard to find a job.  I've worked all my adult life, the last thing I want is to be unemployed. 

The best scenario for me now is to hurry and move to Wales.  Being physically on the ground here, I can then sign up with a few employment agencies and perhaps get some temporary clerical work, as the work I am qualified and experienced in is just not coming my way.  For now though, its back up to Scotland on Saturday to make proper plans for moving our stuff down.