How to Master Your Kitchen


For this next installment of my How to Master Your Kitchen series, I am talking about a unitask tool, a tool that has only one purpose. Usually my tools in my kitchen are required to have more than one purpose but a garlic press is an exception. A garlic press is a quintessential kitchen item.

If you want to check out the other kitchen items I have previously talked about, you can read about a zesterfood processordutch ovenstand mixer, a metal steamer, a peeler and a citrus juicer.

garlic press

The garlic press I own is the bottom right one and it is a great kitchen tool.
A garlic press is exactly that a tool to press a garlic clove through to make into small pieces. You don't even need to peel the garlic clove, the peeler can handle it. Most of the garlic presses out there will have a matching grid to push through the holes to help remove the garlic peel. This allows the garlic press to be cleaned very easily, an important aspect of your kitchen tools.

Yes, I know that in the grocery store you can bought already diced or crushed garlic but do you know how long the garlic has been sitting in the shelve? I sure don't and if I can press garlic through a garlic press right before a recipe calls for it, then I prefer the freshest garlic. Don't you?

Other uses I have read for a garlic press is mashing small items like canned chipotles, olives, capers and anchovies. Does anyone use their garlic press for other uses besides the ones listed?

25 comments:

Life With Lauren said...

I need to get one of those.

Melissa said...

I love this! Need one! Now that I am trying to cook a lot more, I have definitely noticed that I don't have as many cooking utensils as I had once thought!

Unknown said...

This is obviously an insanely practical tool. I have to admit though, I kind of really enjoy mincing fresh garlic with a ceramic butcher knife. Makes me feel like the barefoot contessa or something haha.

<3becky
www.loosefromthezoo.com

Jessica said...

I love my garlic press. Use it all the time!

Lisa said...

Garlic press is definitely a must in the kitchen! Love mine.

Laura said...

I never would have thought to buy a garlic press but my husband insisted on registering for one when we got married. And we use it all the time! I can't believe I wasted all that time chopping up garlic before! We really only use it for that one purpose, but I definitely prefer fresh garlic to the jars.

Sarah Alway said...

I registered for a garlic press when we got married and it's the one thing I really wanted that we didn't get... I need to pick one up.

Darby Hawley said...

Confession: While I spend most of my time in the kitchen and I delight myself in cooking...I have NEVER used fresh garlic! ahhhhhhh!!!!

awhite said...

Okay, you've convinced me- I need one of these! For years I would see them in the store and think, "Oh, I'll never use that..." But this would make short work of mincing 5-7 cloves of garlic for recipes. :)

-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com

Kate Costello said...

Hmmm...this is defenitely lacking in my kitchen. Maybe if one makes it into my cupboards I will start using fresh garlic more =) Thanks for the inspiration!!

Unknown said...

Fresh garlic is always worth it!

Unknown said...

a garlic press... necessity. Fresh garlic makes everything better. Amen to this post! xo

Lauren {at} Life.Love.Lauren said...

I have one, but have never used it. haha!

whit | Black Little Button blog said...

We got one for our wedding, and I tried it out once. I don't think i used it correctly because it didnt turn out the way I thought it was going to.. oh well. back to the old knife i guess. :)
-wHiT

{The Perfect Palette} said...

being Italian, you bet we have a garlic press in our home. super crucial :)

xoxo,
The Perfect Palette

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

Oooh I was telling my mom about that garlic press and looks like that is exactly what she wants for mother's day. I just hope I can find a place that sells that here, otherwise I'm just gonna have to order it online and wait for it to get here.

Susannah said...

Oh my goodness, my garlic press is one of my favorite tools!!! Nate and I probably eat far too much garlic. ;-)

Unknown said...

This is a great idea for a series. I've never used fresh garlic before. How long does it last before you use it?

Amanda Rose
http://sewmuchtosay.blogspot.com

Hilary said...

I have to get one of these! I always hand chop garlic and it takes forever. Honestly, I knew these existed, but never thought to get one!

Emily {Isnt That Charming} said...

You know, I don't have a garlic press! I really need to get one.
Isn’t That Charming.

Allison said...

I have a garlic mincer and it is amazing!!! I love me some fresh garlic! :)

Jamie LaFuze said...

I have the Pampered Chef garlic press, and we use it on a daily basis! Daniel LOVES garlic :)

Unknown said...

I am SO far from mastering my kitchen, but these are fabulous tips! I really need a garlic press in my life, my eyes always water after cutting them up!

xx,
Maya

maria said...

wow - i always chop garlic by hand (which i don't mind) but seeing these garlic press options changes things a little!! :) Thanks for introducing us to such handy (and stylish) products!

miasmode said...

Actually I have a garlic press too but I don´t eat garlic anymore so it´s pretty much useless now :)

xx