There is nothing like the intense and pungent scent of garlic given off by a cooking recipe. Crushing garlic makes it easier to peel, and also maximizes its multiple health benefits. Read on and learn how to mash garlic using a knife, garlic press, or stone.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using a Knife
Step 1. Remove the root
Put the garlic clove on a cutting board and remove the root base with a knife.
- Do not cut too much or you will also eliminate otherwise usable parts of the garlic. Limit yourself to the base of the root.
- This trick will make the peel removal phase easier and faster.
Step 2. Place the wedge on the cutting board
It should be close to the edge, on the side closest to you.
Step 3. Place the flat side of a large kitchen knife over the garlic clove, keeping the blade facing away from your hand
Step 4. Use your hand to press the flat side of the knife against the garlic clove
The wedge will easily crush under your weight. Hit the knife with light pressure to break the wedge.
Make sure the sharp side of the blade is not facing the hand you use to break the garlic. If you hold the knife with your right hand, the blade should be pointing to the right. Conversely, if you hold it with your left hand, the blade will have to point to the left
Step 5. Remove the peel
At this point, peeling your clove will be a simple and easy operation with your fingers.
Step 6. Prepare the garlic for cooking
You can choose to crush it further, chop it or finely chop it. To turn it into a paste, hit it with the flat side of the knife until it turns into a cream.
Also remove the green sprout inside the garlic. Pull it out with your fingers to prevent it from giving a bitter aroma to your recipe
Method 2 of 3: Use a garlic press
Step 1. Peel it
Eliminate the root base to make peel removal easier. A clove of garlic can be peeled in many different ways.
- Press it with the palm of your hand. Apply enough pressure to loosen the skin. Place the palm of your hand on the wedge and press it firmly until you feel the peel begin to move and peel off. Peel it with your fingers.
- As explained in the previous method, hit the wedge with the wide side of a kitchen knife blade. Place the flat side of a large kitchen knife on the garlic clove, hold the blade on the opposite side to that of your hand. Hit or push, with light pressure, the knife to break the wedge without crushing it.
- Use a garlic peeler. A garlic peeler is a rubber accessory specifically created for this function. Insert the wedge into the tube and with the palm of your hand press it and roll it on a smooth surface. When you hear the sound of the peel breaking, remove the clove and peel it with your hands.
- Put the garlic clove in the microwave. Cook it for 5 to 10 seconds. The peel will peel off and you can easily remove it with your hands. With this method you can also peel whole heads or bulbs of garlic, just increase the cooking time to 15 - 20 seconds. Be careful though, as this method can make the garlic taste slightly less pungent.
Step 2. Place the peeled garlic clove in the garlic press
Place it in the designated area.
The type of garlic press you are going to use will affect the success of the process. A quality utensil is equipped with protrusions capable of making the squeezed garlic come out of the appropriate holes with ease and will allow you to obtain a greater quantity of pasta from each clove. In any case, even a lower quality garlic press will do
Step 3. Squeeze
Close the garlic press and bring the two ends together with all possible pressure.
- The amount of force to be applied will depend on the quality and strength of your garlic press. A heavy metal garlic press will normally make the operation easier and less tiring.
- On the opposite side of the garlic press you will see the pressed garlic come out.
Method 3 of 3: Using a Stone
Step 1. Look for a smooth stone
Better if the same size as your palm.
- Initially this method will proceed similarly to the one involving the use of the knife. In this case, however, the advantage lies in the fact that you are not forced to use a dangerous blade, and you can use this method even while camping.
- A stone with a smooth surface will be more suitable than one with an irregular surface. The smoother your stone is, the better the final result will be.
Step 2. Clean the stone
Wash it two or three times in the dishwasher to make sure it's clean.
If you don't have a dishwasher, or if you don't want to use it to wash the stone, you can use a solution of warm water, soap and a small amount of bleach. After washing it, rinse it thoroughly and let it dry completely
Step 3. Wrap the garlic in parchment paper
Fold a small piece of paper around the garlic.
Technically speaking, this step is only optional, but it will help keep the process sanitized by preventing small pieces of rock from moving into the pressed garlic. It will also be easier to harvest the garlic after pressing
Step 4. Hit the garlic clove with the stone
Give it a nice pat without applying too much pressure, just enough to loosen the skin.
Be very careful to avoid accidentally hitting yourself and injuring your fingers
Step 5. Peel it
After a few strokes, the peel should come off easily.
Step 6. Keep hitting the garlic with the stone
Squeeze the garlic to achieve the desired result by hitting or pounding it with the stone.
- Crush the garlic by hitting it over and over with the stone.
- Place the stone on the wedge and move it back and forth applying firm and constant pressure.
