A day without garlic is like a day without sunshine, I maintain (from an unobjectionable distance).

Part ingredient, part medicine, part vampire slayer, it ought to come with its own little cape and sword.

Lightly-crushed, whole cloves lend themselves to easy retrieval when infusion is the intention, but since that would dishonor all of the almighty allium's antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits, I use a Microplane to grate each clove down to its nubby root end. Or, just chew them raw.

This dear man credits his good health to four culinary pillars--vinegar, olive oil, wine, and garlic--and I'm far from the only one who'd follow him to the end of earth.