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I drank far too much on Christmas Eve, a fabulous series of indulgences I’ll cover in my next couple of posts, but because the new year is upon us I want to share the great hangover medication that eased my pain the following morning. (Though your hangover may have been addressed already, 2008 might well bring another.) I can’t quite call it a cure, because I don’t believe anything really cures a hangover beyond a big breakfast, a lot of liquids, and a nap. But what I’ve got to offer is as wonderful a tonic as I’ve ever had. The short version is that it’s a simple garlic broth, one I discovered first in the Chez Panisse Vegetables cookbook under the name Aigo Buido, and again in Lulu’s Provençal Table, as Aïgo Boulido, or Garlic Broth.
In the Chez Panisse book, the recipe involves nothing more than dropping three mashed garlic cloves into a quart of salted water and boiling for 15 minutes with a bay leaf, pepper, and a dribble of good olive oil. In Lulu’s, written by the late, great Richard Olney (my current culinary hero, and also an inspiration to Alice Waters), the accompanying note says that, “In Provence, aïgo boulido (garlic broth) most often serves to soothe systems worn thin from an enthusiastic celebration of the table.” (I love the syntax: “celebration of the table.” Italics mine.) In the Olney/Lulu’s version, the volume is turned up a little with an entire head of garlic and four egg yolks. The idea is that you boil the broth first, strain it, and then pour it slowly over the yolks, whisking all the while. Then you ladle the results over a dry piece of baguette rubbed with garlic.
But you get the basic idea: Drop a handful of mashed garlic cloves into a pot of water, add salt, a bay leaf, and olive oil, and simmer for a little while. Drink as is, or whisk the broth into an egg yolk (or several), and dip some dry bread. The upshot, I’m here to tell you, is a revelation, both because it makes you feel like such a casual, intuitive chef and because nothing I’ve tried in my life has such a calming, soothing, uplifting effect on a body run down from far too much wine.
Garlic in any form will prevent hangover. My recipe is about eight GarliCells just before bed. I used to do the water-drinking thing but that was inconvenient given my small bladder.
Hydration is the key. Alternating an alchoholic drink for a glass of water is a great preventative method.
Pedialyte! Replace the electrolytes.
I attest that the garlic soup- made once with 20 cloves, out of a herbal medicine recipe- does an insanely good job of detoxing. That recipe didn't strain, and did include skins (fiber!).
My personal favorite routine now is to: walk home from overindulgence, (don't get mugged/rolled of course), have large glasses of water and toast, and 2 aspirin. Works on the beer/wine, the harder alcohol is...+READ
I attest that the garlic soup- made once with 20 cloves, out of a herbal medicine recipe- does an insanely good job of detoxing. That recipe didn't strain, and did include skins (fiber!).
My personal favorite routine now is to: walk home from overindulgence, (don't get mugged/rolled of course), have large glasses of water and toast, and 2 aspirin. Works on the beer/wine, the harder alcohol is out of my hands.-COLLAPSE
Ever since I started drinking one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage, I have yet to have a hangover. And for breakfast, a big hot bowl of menudo with a squirt of lime, hot sauce, and some shredded cabbage may not cure a hangover, but I find it very reviving.
"my current culinary hero, and also an inspiration to Alice Waters"
If you havent already, you must check out Olney's "Provence: The Beautiful Cookbook".
It is an absolute classic. One of the many things that I love about it is a focus on Organ Meats and Variety Cuts. Something that is sorely missing from almost every "authentic" cookbook of any cuisine.
And the steam coming up from the bowl would be so nice.
The advantage to the garlic soup is that it tastes good! Other than that, you need -- as fgf says -- LOTS of water. I try to make sure I have at least one glass of water for every two glasses, and more than that if I think about it. Haven't tried the sports drink concept, but I admit that the theory makes sense.
I can agree with your assesment that "I don’t believe anything really cures a hangover beyond a big breakfast, a lot of liquids, and a nap." The only surefire hangover remedy is to not drink to begin with (and what fun is that?), beyond that we are entering the realm of fantasy. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect so fluids of any kind (non-alcoholic) play a role, and fluids high in electrolytes...+READ
I can agree with your assesment that "I don’t believe anything really cures a hangover beyond a big breakfast, a lot of liquids, and a nap." The only surefire hangover remedy is to not drink to begin with (and what fun is that?), beyond that we are entering the realm of fantasy. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect so fluids of any kind (non-alcoholic) play a role, and fluids high in electrolytes will help replenish what the kidneys have excreted. Drinking lots of Gatorade or water while drinking alcohol would probably have a positive effect, but slamming a glass of water before going to sleep would be negligible. If your urine is not clear and copious you haven't consumed enough water. The soup recipe looks interesting but its effects on mitigating a hangover seem limited to the volume of water ingested and whatever protein and electrolytes it provides.-COLLAPSE
I agree. I look forward to each of Daniel's fun, informed, and elegantly written posts. I always get something surprising and new to think about. Like ... garlic soup. I have holiday gift wines in the cupboard and a bay tree in my backyard ...