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🥕Ingredient Preparation
Frecat cu sare (Romanian Garlic Paste)
A Romanian garlic-prep technique where garlic is rubbed with salt to create a smooth paste with balanced flavor and better integration into sauces or marinades.
Steps
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Peel garlic cloves and lightly crush them with a knife blade or pestle.
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Add a generous pinch of coarse salt and grind in a mortar until you get a smooth paste.
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Slowly add sunflower oil in a thin stream while mixing continuously to emulsify.
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Optionally add a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice for brightness.
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Use immediately on vegetables, roasted potatoes, beans, grilled meats, or as a base for mujdei.
💡Pro Tips
- •Salt is not only for taste; it helps break down garlic fibers and creates a creamy texture.
- •Add oil gradually to prevent the paste from separating.
- •For a milder flavor, let the paste rest for 5 minutes before using.
⚠️Common Mistakes
- •Adding too much oil at once - the paste turns thin and separates.
- •Using too little fine salt - garlic does not break down into a smooth paste.
- •Keeping it too long at room temperature - it loses freshness and food safety.
