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Growing up I remember my mum having a decorative garlic garland braid hanging in our kitchen. I don’t know if that is something that most people have in their kitchen but being from an Italian family I remember a few of my family members having this in their homes.

Garlic garlands look rustic and beautiful in a modern or classic style home (especially against white walls). It’s a very European home style element. You can use the garlic as you cook or just leave it to look pretty. A few brightly coloured chillies really draw attention to the string and can also be picked off and used in cooking as they dry.

This string only took me about 45 minutes to make and it was an easy craft project to do as I watched TV.

What you will need:

 -String

 - Around 7 whole garlic with long stems on top

 - Around 7 chillies with stems. I used Jalapenos (4898794) and Birdseye Chillies (Search 4579821 at Coles online)

Step 1

Cut the string in equal lengths. I cut it in around about 1 metre lengths. I used the previous cut of string to measure how long the next cut should be. You will need to cut about 55 lengths to be able to plait it in a rope nicely. The more you cut the better.

You could even use ribbon to weave through the string for a bit more colour if you wish.

Step 2

When you have enough string, tie a knot in the top and separate out the 3 sections for the plait.

Step 3

Start plaiting the long lengths of string and tie a knot in the bottom when it is complete.

Step 4

Lay out the plait on a table. Lay the chillies and garlic out next to the plait to figure out the correct spacing alignment. I staggered the garlic and chillies out in a pattern; Garlic, chilli, garlic, chilli and staggered them either side.

Step 5

Cut some short lengths of string and tie tightly around the top of the garlic and chillies individually. Leave string either side so it’s easy to tie onto the string plait. If you happen to get garlic that doesn’t have a stem you could use a skewer to delicately pierce a hole through the top for the string.

Step 6

Following the lay out you created on your table, tie the garlic to the plait. I pushed the string through the braid and tied a double knot. Do this with the chillies too. When you  have finished tying, cut the ends off strings holding the garlic and chillies so you don’t see it. I pushed the stems of the chillies and garlic into the braid too so they hung better and looked more interwoven.

Step 7

Bring a bit of Europe to your kitchen and hang it up in your pantry or on your kitchen wall.

Not only will a garlic garland give  your kitchen a French provincial rustic charm but it is also practical! The braid allows the garlic to dry slowly over time so you won’t run out of garlic or chillies again in a hurry. 

Dried garlic can keep for about 3 years before it’s time to throw it away, but surely you’ll become a gourmet chef with these garlic garlands before then!

Do you use a lot of garlic in your cooking?