What to use instead of onions and garlic

Q: “I have an intolerance to onions and garlic. What can I use instead?”

Rhonda

A: Onions and garlic are part of the allium family, which also includes leeks, spring onions and shallots. If you have an intolerance, you may find some milder members of the family cause you less trouble than stronger ones, so it may be a case of experimenting – using spring onions instead of onions, for example. Chives or garlic chives are another possibility, or garlic or onion powder, or stock. Garlic-flavoured oil is also a useful product. I like the Alfa One Garlic-Flavoured Rice Bran Oil.

Completely avoiding onions and garlic means dishes will still taste good, just different. Try other spices and vegetables: celery and fennel have an onion-like texture while diced carrot and capsicums make a tasty flavour base instead of garlic and onion.