Comments on: Stuff Worth Buying: Garlic Press http://www.chocolateandgarlic.com/2009/06/stuff-worth-buying-garlic-press/ The Sweet, The Savory Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:04:46 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Pmom http://www.chocolateandgarlic.com/2009/06/stuff-worth-buying-garlic-press/comment-page-1/#comment-636 Pmom Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:56:01 +0000 http://www.chocolateandgarlic.com/?p=1890#comment-636 There are two benefits to using a good garlic press (Of course, as I mentioned above, lots of them aren't good). 1) A good press is much faster. I don't have to peel my garlic, I just put it into the hopper one or two cloves at a time. Then I squeeze. With one scrape of a butter knife, I release whatever garlic didn't already fall into the pan. With a second stroke, I scrape the peel into my garbage pile. Now, I have very poor knife skills because of my hand strength/fine motor issues, but I doubt that even those who are highly proficient would be able to mince the garlic as fast as I can press it. (Contest anyone?). In any case, I know that *I* can press garlic faster than *I* can mince it. Speed is important because I use so much garlic in my cooking. Mmmm. This whole post makes me want to go cook some aglio e olio! 2) I've heard that pressing garlic rather than mincing it releases more oil or garlic essence or whatever. I don't know if that's true. <i> Cook's Illustrated </i> says they prefer garlic presses because it is possible to "break down cloves more finely and evenly" with a press than most people can with a knife (September 2006). This means the garlic flavor is distributed more evenly through the dish. There are two benefits to using a good garlic press (Of course, as I mentioned above, lots of them aren’t good). 1) A good press is much faster. I don’t have to peel my garlic, I just put it into the hopper one or two cloves at a time. Then I squeeze. With one scrape of a butter knife, I release whatever garlic didn’t already fall into the pan. With a second stroke, I scrape the peel into my garbage pile. Now, I have very poor knife skills because of my hand strength/fine motor issues, but I doubt that even those who are highly proficient would be able to mince the garlic as fast as I can press it. (Contest anyone?). In any case, I know that *I* can press garlic faster than *I* can mince it. Speed is important because I use so much garlic in my cooking. Mmmm. This whole post makes me want to go cook some aglio e olio!

2) I’ve heard that pressing garlic rather than mincing it releases more oil or garlic essence or whatever. I don’t know if that’s true. Cook’s Illustrated says they prefer garlic presses because it is possible to “break down cloves more finely and evenly” with a press than most people can with a knife (September 2006). This means the garlic flavor is distributed more evenly through the dish.

]]> By: Robin http://www.chocolateandgarlic.com/2009/06/stuff-worth-buying-garlic-press/comment-page-1/#comment-634 Robin Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:09:27 +0000 http://www.chocolateandgarlic.com/?p=1890#comment-634 I have tried one or two garlic presses in the past and both were duds, so I just mince my garlic. What are the benefits of using a press over mincing with a knife? I assume you don't get as much garlic smell on your fingers, but does it make any difference in the flavor you get or anything? I have tried one or two garlic presses in the past and both were duds, so I just mince my garlic. What are the benefits of using a press over mincing with a knife? I assume you don’t get as much garlic smell on your fingers, but does it make any difference in the flavor you get or anything?

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.chocolateandgarlic.com/2009/06/stuff-worth-buying-garlic-press/comment-page-1/#comment-633 Rebecca Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:07:23 +0000 http://www.chocolateandgarlic.com/?p=1890#comment-633 I do not like my garlic press so this is a very timely post. Thanks!. I do not like my garlic press so this is a very timely post. Thanks!.

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