what's the easiest and fastest way to peel garlic?

Answer 1

If you're going to be chopping, dicing or crushing the garlic, then smashing it with the side of a knife is DEFINITELY the way to go! I see the chef's/cooks do it on the food channel all the time and this is how I peel mine now. (Peeling garlic for slicing or using the whole clove is done differently.)

To do this, take a knife (I use a 7" Santoku knife) and place the end of the knife over a clove, with the sharp edge AWAY from you. The knife should be directly on top of the garlic clove. (Do ONE clove at a time to avoid slippage which could result in serious injury!) Smack down on the knife with the meaty part of your palm. pick up the smashed clove and separate the flesh from the skin. The flesh will come out of the skin quite easily. If it is not smashed enough, put it down and strike it with the knife again.

When you need whole cloves or sliced garlic, smashing it won't work. To peel garlic in these instances, I like to moisten my fingertips because the garlic can get sticky and the skin sticks to my fingers. I take a small paring knife or other small knife and cut through the hard end of the clove, stopping just before the skin is cut completely through. While the knife is still pressed down against the clove and on your cutting surface, pick up the clove with your other hand and gently pull it away, which starts the peeling of the skin. I do the same thing with the other end of the clove, so the peeling has begun on both ends. Then use your fingernails to continue peeling. If your fingers get sticky, wet them a little more.

Garlic has so many healthful benefits and it tastes wonderful! Next time you order pizza, order it with garlic. Make your own garlic mashed potatoes by crushing some and putting it in the boiling water. Try roasting garlic in the over an spreading it on dinner rolls next time you're baking. Cut the entire bunch in half, turn them cut side up on a piece of aluminum foil, and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for about 45 minutes and the garlic becomes spreadable - OH SO DELICIOUS!!! Check out foodnetwork.com for more recipes and ideas. i LOVE the food channel!

Best of all - and this is the perfect time of year to prove it - Garlic helps keep vampires away!!!

xo
ymmf

Answer 2

Here's what the pros do... when they have more than one of two cloves to peel, you throw the garlic into a bowl, take another bowl that's the same size, so you're making an almost sphere and shake it. Check after about 30 seconds to see how it's coming. It shouldn't take too long.
Another way that won't destroy your garlic is to only cut the flat not pointy end all the way through except through the bottom layer of paper. then slant the knife and peel the garlic out of the paper. This one takes some practice, but then you can slice, dice or mince it.
Please don't use a garlic press, it's only useful if you want garlic mush.
Ah yes, and I recommend wearing latex or vinyl gloves if you're going to be working with a lot of garlic because the scent will stick with you for about 5 days afterward.
Hope this helps!!!

Answer 3

I put it in a cup of warm water for about 5 mins with a heavy spoon on top, pre-heat oven, do like other stuff, come back, remove garlic, and it pops right out of it's skin, ya done, THEN smash it with a knife, or slice in the same size for a more uniform "FLASH" in the pan, don't over cook, if it turns brown, it will "BITTER", just enough to soften it.

Answer 4

Lordkarl is correct. Lay the side of your large heavy knife blade on the garlic "bud" and with a quick motion, pound it with the side of your fist. It takes it right out of it's skin. EASY!

Any other flat object will work just as well as a knife. Chefs use the knife, because they always have one handy. You could just as easily smash it with the bottom of a heavy pan. Which ever works for you is good!

Answer 5

The pounding with the knife is the right answer BUT: if you mash it it might not do for you. What if you want to slice it? So, you give it a solid hit to SLIGHTLY break it. The peel now will come off usually in one piece and you can then do with it what you will.

Answer 6

smash it with something, like cover it with a kitchen towel and hit it with a hammer. The peel will come right off. What's for dinner? Or are you just getting rid of vampires?

Answer 7

Here's the right answer
Slice off the stem end of it
Place a chef's knife on top of it and just hit it hard enough to separate the skin from the clove

Answer 8

smash it with your knife
and then it should
peel right off





<3

Answer 9

Smash it! I turn a knife flat then hit it with the palm of my hand.

Answer 10

Buy a quality garlic press and you don't have to peel it.