Any way you mince, press, grate, or slice garlic, there is a tool for prepping garlic. Some are standard kitchen tools and others are gadgets, or garlic gear, especially made for the task.
I almost can’t resist walking out of someplace like Williams-Sonoma without purchasing a gadget, or two. Recently, I went there on a mission to buy new garlic gear. I walked out with three items: Rosel Garlic Press, Chef’n Garlic Slicer, and Rub.A.Way Stainless Steel Soap Bar.
Rosel Garlic Press
The Rosel Garlic Press is a bit pricey but well worth it for me. I consider it a great garlic press. For a few dollars less the Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press looks like a good deal, and another option is the OXO Garlic Press.
Slice with Garlic Slicer
This new kitchen gadget, Chef’n Garlic Slicer, makes neat and even slices of garlic.
Wash garlic scent away with Rub.A.Way Stainless Steel Bar
This stainless steel soap bar really works! It doesn’t subs up but the stainless steel removes the scent of garlic, and onions from your hands. Just rub your hands with the bar. You can even run it under water and use it as you would a bar of soap.
Julienne Garlic with Kyocera Knife
A knife does the job of all the gadgets mentioned. Place the side of a knife over a clove of garlic, give it a quick hit to loosen the skin. Remove the skin and the options are wide open. Mince, dice, and slice. A highly skilled user can even puree a clove with a knife.
Garlic Peeler
A garlic peeler is one of those must have tools. It is so easy to use. Insert a garlic clove into the peeler, gently press and roll. It does an efficient job of effortlessly removing the skin while keeping the clove whole and in tact. Some garlic peelers: Zak Designs E-Z Rol Garlic Peeler, OXO Garlic Peeler, and this Garlic Stripper look like it would remove garlic skin just as well.
Pressed Garlic using Ekco Garlic Press
Used and still useful, my mother’s garlic press. This old timer has stood up to countless press jobs. It holds its own next to the sleek new one I just bought, plus it has the teeth!
Make Garlic Slices with a peeler
A hand-held peeler makes nice slices too.
Make little garlic ribbons with Microplane Artisan Series Ribbon Grater
Need some garlic shavings? Try using a Microplane Artisan Series Ribbon Grater.
Zest Garlic with Microplane Zester
Check out what grating garlic with the classic Micorplane Zester can do. The result is a something very close to a puree.
A good ole box grater with its multiple surfaces can also grate, slice, and give nice garlic shavings. Consider an all-in-one tool Garlic Twist Crusher, Mincer, Peeler, or the Chef’n Garlic Zoom Rolling Garlic Chopper. So many cool options.
When you prep garlic, which tool or gadget do you reach for most?
