Unconventional Kitchen Hack: The Surprising Tool for Perfectly Crushed Garlic

In a recent online video, home cook and botanist Jim Folsom shared an unconventional yet highly effective method for preparing garlic, aiming to simplify a common kitchen task. Folsom, known for his practical plant-related insights, demonstrated how he bypasses traditional garlic presses and graters, which he finds inefficient and messy. "Over the years, I have purchased almost every implement that one can find that is supposed to help you deal with garlic," Folsom stated in the video, expressing his frustration with various gadgets. He revealed his preferred tools: a decades-old wooden mushroom-shaped device for cracking garlic heads and, most notably, a stiff stainless steel putty knife for crushing cloves. Folsom demonstrated how a small amount of salt added to the garlic clove on a cutting board, combined with the firm, flat blade of the putty knife, allows for quick and easy pulverization. "This is the absolute dynamite way to prepare garlic," he asserted, showcasing the finely minced result. This simple, accessible tool, typically found in hardware stores, offers a practical alternative for home chefs looking to efficiently prepare garlic without sticky residue or specialized equipment.

Food & Wine

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