I’ve been cooking for a very long time. I first tried my hand at cooking because it was necessary, but I later realized that I actually like it and what first started as a necessity turned into a passion.
When I was a child, I’d often watch my grandma cook. That was a lifetime ago, and kitchens back then didn’t have the advancement that we enjoy today. I’d watch my granny use everyday tools such as knives to whack garlic cloves, for instance, and I’ve always thought that’s how you’re supposed to do it.
I adore garlic, and when I first tried my hand at cooking, I’d whack a couple of cloves with a knife, peel the skin off by hand and then patiently chop it to small bits. You can only imagine the work this takes, plus the smell it leaves on my skin. I mean, I love this herb a lot but not when it’s raw!
Fast forward a couple of years, I got introduced to what a pressing tool is and started using it. Oh boy! My grandma would have loved using it! This tool is very easy to use:
Separate the cloves from the bulb.
Put a couple into the chamber (capacity would depend on the chamber’s size)
Squeeze the handles together.
Collect the minced bits on a small plate.
What I really love about these presses is that you don’t have to touch the raw herb at all. If you have the right pressing device, you don’t even have to peel it too.
Aside from that, using a device will save you several precious minutes because you don’t have to spend time mincing. Just press, put another clove and squeeze the handles again. It’s very easy and quick.
Even during cleaning, there’s no need to get in contact with the raw herb. Some tools come with its own cleaning tool, though I find that these types are more expensive and the cleaning device is unnecessary. You can simply wash the tool under running water, and it would clean away the garlic bits stuck to it.
When that’s done, wipe the tool with a piece of cloth and then store it in a dry place. Just make sure to look for a stainless steel garlic press so the smell wouldn’t stick to the material.
If you’ve never used a pressing tool before, I suggest that you invest on a really good garlic press. It will make your cooking life easier, and you’d never look back into whacking cloves ever again.
