How to mince garlic?

[andreajackson]

I have been wanting to make a lot of recipes lately that call for minced garlic. I have pre-minced garlic that I bought at the store. But there are a couple of things I don't like about that so I thought I would ask you all for help.
What is the best way to mince garlic? Also if all I have is the pre-minced how much do I use in place for one clove? Please help until then I'm garlic less.
OH NO!

[Cathy]

I just take the clove, place it on a cutting board, lay the flat side of a large knife on the clove & smash it. Then if it needs a little additional chopping, it is really easy to do. BTW, this is also a good way to get the skin off. Hope this helps.

[Vanessa]

I use my garlic press all the time. Now if I need the garlic in bigger pieces I use a knife to smash it. But most of the time I put the garlic on my garlic press http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[iqueen]

Andrea: The best way to mince fresh garlic is to add a little salt to cutting board. It keeps the garlic from sticking to the knife and allows mincing to go much faster. I just smash them, skin them, add salt and mince. When I am using pre-minced (rarely) I use a lot because it is not as strongly flavored as fresh minced.

[BethH]

The garlic press is the best kitchen tool ever! I use it all the time. Buy one and never mince garlic again!

I think its a real time-saver, plus you still get that fresh taste the stuff in the jar can't come close to.

[food girl]

Beware of cheap garlic presses! I went through 4 until I found one that didn't require a brute to squeeze out the garlic. I bought the winner at one of those pampered chef parties. I think it is called a Zyliss? I have seen them at gourmet stores too.

It will mince garlic without even peeling it!

[SandyM]

Thanks foodgirl - my garlic press is a NIGHTMARE, and it leaves half of the garlic inside of the cylinder. I'm a big fan of Pampered Chef (but not their pizza stones - but that's another post.....hehe), so I'll have to check that one out - and pitch the one I have in the trash!!

[JeanneL]

Definitely get the Zyliss garlic press! I've had mine for years and it's still mincing. The best part is that you don't peel the garlic - the press does it for you!

[BarbaraL]

Definitely get the Zyliss garlic press -- it's great! I got mine at a Pampered Chef party, but I've also seen them at Fortunoff's. Best garlic press I've ever used.

[andreajackson]

Thanks everyone for the help! I knew that it had to be pretty easy. Thanks again for the helpful tips!

[lanie]

Just a little something I learned from a cooking class - apparently crushing garlic with a press makes for bitter garlic - 'apparently' best way is to chop VERY FINE which I always do now and it really does have a different flavor - I found this round scooped little cutting board with a rounded cutting blade that you rock back and forth and it is amazing what it does for garlic, herbs, etc.

[This message has been edited by lanie (edited 10-07-2000).]

[Ohioan]

I just use a 6" chef's knife. I peel the garlic cloves, halve them to take the core out, and start chopping with a rocking motion, swiveling the blade in different directions by using the tip of the knife as a fulcrum. In a few seconds, I have finely minced garlic -- and only one blade to clean. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Phoebe

[Beth]

I usually tell my husband how many cloves I need. When you use the stuff in a jar, use 1 tsp. for 2-3 cloves of garlic. I have a garlic press that is so-so, but the Henckels does fine too. You might say my method varies with who's home, where else I'm supposed to be and when, and whether my hair is standing on end when it's time to grab the knife, as well as whether my 4 yr old has taken off with the garlic press. He's into all kinds of tools -- kitchen, garage, doesn't matter (explains some of the hair standing on end, so to speak).

[NancyR]

This sound nuts but I read a trick in a magazine once and have done it ever since...I swear it works. After you handle garlic or onions and your fingers smell bad, rub the chrome on your faucet with your fingers. No joke, it kills the smell on your hands.