Entries Posted in August, 2009
August 27th, 2009
My Garlic Turned Blue

The other day, Jonathan and I were making artichokes with a garlic butter sauce.
The strangest thing happened…
When we added the garlic to the melted butter, the garlic turned BLUE! Yes, blue. Blue garlic.
We’d never seen this before, and wondered if it was still safe to eat, or if we had just performed some sort of culinary magic trick.
So we Googled it.
We learned about blue garlic from Yahoo Answers:
Garlic contains sulfur compounds which can react with copper to form copper sulfate, a blue or blue-green compound. The amount of copper needed for this reaction is very small and is frequently found in normal water supplies. Raw garlic contains an enzyme that if not inactivated by heating reacts with sulfur (in the garlic) and copper (from water or utensils) to form blue copper sulfate. The garlic is still safe to eat.
Why does my garlic turn blue when heated in butter in the microwave?
I make a crab pasta dish that is to die for. I don’t cook the garlic, but put it directly into the butter. (garlic press) In the past I have melted the butter WITH the garlic in it in the microwave. The garlic pieces turn BLUE. I have the same thing happen when I melt the butter on the stove with the garlic.
Why did the garlic turn blue? I don’t mind the color, but is it OK to eat?
Yes, it’s safe to eat, and makes for an interesting conversation topic as well.
(Now I only add the garlic at the end.)
August 2nd, 2009
Weird Hot Dog Spam
We live in an oddly connected world.
For whatever reason, I got an email about a hot dog steamer sent to me from Gaston Electric and Gaston Electric Factory in Foshan City, China.
This may be the best product in the world. I really don’t know.
But the picture definitely doesn’t do it justice, and gave me a good laugh.
Here’s what I received.
- July 29, 2010 10:34 PM : Christchurch, New Zealand: Top 10 Favorites
- July 28, 2010 08:51 PM : A Tribute to My Uncle Walter
- July 27, 2010 06:59 AM : What Carrie and Jonathan Say
- July 26, 2010 07:07 AM : Dinner with the Clendons
- July 25, 2010 10:01 PM : Skiing in New Zealand: Skiing Broken River With the Nutcracker
- July 25, 2010 05:27 PM : How can you afford to travel? -- The rest of the story
- July 19, 2010 09:50 PM : 7 Travel Questions: 7) Best Gems of Advice for Us
- July 15, 2010 06:16 PM : Funny! Musical Lyrics Expressed as Math Graphs
- July 13, 2010 06:06 AM : Akaroa: The French side of New Zealand
- July 13, 2010 01:56 AM : Maruia Springs - hot springs near Christchurch, New Zealand
- July 12, 2010 09:57 PM : 7 Travel Questions: 6) How To Pack and What To Take
- July 05, 2010 09:41 PM : 7 Travel Questions: 5) Banking While Traveling
- July 04, 2010 06:33 PM : Celebrating the 4th of July in New Zealand
- July 01, 2010 06:38 AM : Haircut in New Zealand for a Man
- June 30, 2010 06:27 AM : Hooray for Skype!
- June 29, 2010 09:33 PM : Hot Chocolate in June
- June 28, 2010 09:36 PM : 7 Travel Questions: 4) How to Handle Family Relationships
- June 28, 2010 06:29 AM : The Longest Way
- June 26, 2010 08:28 AM : Cinnamon Applesauce…who knew?
- June 25, 2010 05:47 PM : The "Beauty" Of English Language Undone
- June 24, 2010 10:47 PM : Staying Longer in Christchurch
- June 21, 2010 09:31 PM : 7 Travel Questions: 3) How Are You Able to Find Housing and Accommodation? Do You Arrange It Before You Arrive?
- June 19, 2010 05:31 AM : Wine tasting in Waipara, New Zealand
- June 18, 2010 02:12 AM : Kartoffel Puffer (German Potato Pancakes)
- June 16, 2010 05:14 PM : The COOLEST! Iron Maiden vs. ACDC At Rochester Castle
- June 15, 2010 02:21 AM : Black Forest Brownie birthday "cake"
- June 14, 2010 09:26 PM : 7 Travel Questions: 2) How Easy Is It To Handle Changing Visas Or Acquire Them in the First Place While Abroad?
- June 13, 2010 11:56 PM : Why Is Cheddar Orange?
- June 11, 2010 01:32 AM : Pineapple Lumps: Lumps of Pineapple Growing on Trees?
- June 09, 2010 10:14 AM : Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches
- June 07, 2010 01:07 AM : 7 Travel Questions: 1) How Do You Support Yourselves and Fund Your Travels As You Move From Place to Place?
- June 05, 2010 11:58 AM : Not So Frequently Asked Questions: 2nd Edition
- June 04, 2010 08:32 AM : Trying English Trifle: Recipes for English Trifle
- June 01, 2010 07:52 PM : Christchurch Tram City Tour in Christchurch New Zealand
- June 01, 2010 04:11 AM : Internet Access In New Zealand



