Little Things / Dorot Garlic

Garlic is one of the little things in life that has always made me happy, but I became positively giddy when I discovered Dorot frozen garlic cubes.

I first read about Dorot Garlic years ago in a short-lived Family Fun feature that showcased a different mom each month. I don’t remember many details about this particular mom—just that she, too, lived in Wisconsin and her favorite time-saver was Dorot frozen garlic. “Garlic” and “time-saver” in the same sentence! Say no more.

Dorot products weren’t as widely stocked back then as they are now, but I tracked the garlic down at Byerly’s (a fairly upscale grocery store). I was planning to buy the garlic, anyway, but—and this might sound crazy—I swooned over the packaging. What is it about this particular design that says “cool European product”? And why do I love that so much? By the way, Dorot is owned by Kibbutz Dorot in the southern part of Israel.

Are you thinking that I must be incredibly lazy to want a garlic short-cut? Maybe I am a little. But just think of all the steps involved in garlic preparation—peeling, chopping, cleaning the garlic press later. And Dorot garlic is so fresh—that wonderful garlic smell wafts out the second you open the container and then all you have to do is pop a cube out of its little nest like an ice cube. So easy.

Nowadays I buy my Dorot garlic at Trader Joe’s. Is it cheaper to buy a head of garlic? Perhaps, although I always seem to end up throwing away a lot of unused garlic and other herbs. Are there ways to freeze your own herbs in a cost-effective way? Probably. And maybe we’ll get to that later.

But right now we’re talking about the little luxuries that make us happy! Have you tried any of the Dorot products? (I’ve used cilantro and basil, but have also seen ginger and chili.) What did you think? Do you have another little time-saver that makes you smile?