Now, I have always been a fan of garlic, feeling a strong allure to this pungent bulb that cannot be suppressed. I always throw an extra clove in to every recipe and would slather every piece of bread in it if I were to never have to kiss a boy again. It is one of the easiest tastes to go over board on–as I did this weekend–so even the seasoned chef needs to watch out. It has a strident bite.
Reader Michelle asks: I have a question regarding kitchen tools: I’ve heard a few people mention that they prefer to chop garlic as opposed to using a grinder b/c the grinder adds a different, less appetizing flavor (according to them). Have you found this to be true?
I agree–chopping garlic is the best way to go. You know all that stringy stuff that remains in the press after you are done? That’s some good stuff and it carries a lot of flavor. Also, chopped garlic is less likely to burn while being sauteed than the pulpy mess that emerges from a grinder. If you need garlic to be superfine, for say, a guacamole, I recommend using a microplane.
One last word on garlic: Please don’t use it from the jar. I know it is easier and convenient and I guess in a pinch it is fine, but it does effect the flavor of a dish. Also, it smells like formaldehyde. Do you really want something that smells like death in a meal you spent hours cooking when it takes about 20 seconds to chop a clove of garlic?
Uh… what if you like the smell of formaldehyde?
But chopping garlic makes my fingers smell funny no matter how many times I wash my hands
ok..but im a terrible chopper..can i chop with one of those..”food chopper thingys” or is that just as bad as using a press???
i need to know..cause i found this recipe..inside the butter box…for garlich pull apart bread…and..im gonna try it tonight…
xoxo
I-66: You should talk to your therapist about that.
Jo: But garlic smells so good! Embrace it.
suicide_blond: Do you mean a handchopper? Something like http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KG304BU-Multi-Food-Chopper/dp/B00008DHQ1?
That’s fine–the skin still stays intact. And the bread sounds great–lemme know how it turns out.
I think it might be my therapists fault, actually.
Um… perhaps I’ve said too much?
I agree, I never use a garlic press. Aside from having a general disdain for any and all “kitchen gadgets”, it’s totally true that pressed garlic will burn very quickly in a hot pan. In fact, if I’m cooking at a high temp, I’ll just leave the cloves whole, and fish them out when done cooking.
suicide, if you toast the bread first, you can just rub it with a raw halved garlic clove…
or slice it real thin with a razor a la Goodfellas… oh wait, you’re not stuck in prison for taking a bat to someone’s knees. nevermind… the microplane will do just fine
I-66: Don’t worry; this is a safe place. You can share here.
Cameron: Good call on rubbing the clove over the toasted bread (if that is what the recipe calls for).
CH: Oooh, Goodfellas! Love that movie. Confession time: I saw the Godfather for the first time this past weekend.
i love garlic!! i come from a big garlic family. in my opinion, chopped onions, garlic and/or lemon juice are essential to any meal.
ok..yep..its def that kind of chopper.. and .. um..dont let it get around..that i have a domestic side…. nobody would believe us anyway…
xoxo
a friend told me to rub my fingers on a knife blade’s sides (not the one you use to chop the garlic – or at least after you wash it) to eliminate the garlic smell. it totally works! something about chemistry… and stuff.
Shadi: People who do not like garlic are freaks…
SB: So glad I could help and I promise to keep it to myself.
Jess: I had no idea! Great tip.
Thanks for answering my question. Even though I’m not in love w/ the fact that the odor lingers on my fingers for at least 2 days if I get my fingers on garlic too much, I will try chopping it in the future.
Is the garlic in the jar to which you refer powdered garlic? Using that should be a crime…yuck!
Michelle: No problem! Jess’s suggestion above may help with the odor. As far as garlic in the jar, I mean chopped garlic in a glass jar that can be found in many fridge doors.