Garlic is a fantastic herb having a multifaceted personality-it can be hot and spicy yet mild or flavorful. It imparts tons of flavors to dips, soups, gravies, sandwiches, stews or pastas and can even be eaten as is- roasted or fried. Garlic is really good for the heart and brain and there is tons of research that can prove this. Garlic is antibacterial in nature and can heal and nourish the body. The problem with using garlic is peeling it. A vast majority of cooks finds it tiresome to peel garlic skin. So, are there really some easy ways to peel garlic? Let’s find out…
1. When you have tons of time….soaking in water method
One of the easiest ways to peel garlic, especially if you have some time on hand is to soak it in hot water. Separate the cloves of garlic and drop them in a small bowl of water that has been heated (not boiled). Let the cloves soak for an hour or a little less than that if you are in a hurry. The heat will easily get rid of the tight skin of the garlic. Now you can peel it as easily as you would peel a banana. You can even soak the garlic in cold water instead of hot for up to 30 minutes to loosen the skin up.
2. Smash it with a knife
This is one of the expert recommended easy ways to peel a garlic clove. Many top chefs simply use a large flat knife blade to quickly peel garlic cloves. You just need to place the clove of garlic on the table’s surface or a cutting board. Now bring down the knife and whack its blade on the clove. This will cause its skin to loosen up considerably.If you do not have a knife, you can use the bottom of a glass or utensil to achieve the same results.
3. Cut off the tops of each clove
Another easy way to peel garlic is to cut the top of each clove with a knife. This will enable you to loosen up the papery skin below each top so you can easily peel it.
4. Easy ways to peel a garlic-the container way
Put the entire bulb of garlic in a container larger than the garlic bulb. The container should ideally have sides that are hard and a mouth that is sealable (Shown in image above). Shake the container rapidly for 15-30 seconds. This will loosen up the skin of the garlic so you can easily remove and peel it.
5. Use a rubber tube/garlic peeler
A garlic peeler is essentially a rubber tube having both sides open- it is an ideal gadget for loosening up the skin of the garlic to enable you to peel it easily. Put the garlic cloves inside the tube and roll the tube back and forth on the countertop. This rolling action removes the garlic skin so you can easily peel it. The downside to this roller method is that you will need to clean the tube well after each use. The inner sides of the tube tend to get slick and sticky with garlic juice causing it to become less effective for subsequent uses.
6. Peel garlic while watching TV
Use the traditional method of peeling garlic with your hands-but if you have tons of garlic to peel, we suggest putting on your favorite TV show or a really engrossing movie. That will take your mind off the mundane task of peeling the garlic and at the end of the hour/3 hours you will have tons of peeled garlic ready to go into the refrigerator.
7. Replace garlic with garlic powder-the easiest method to avoid peeling garlic
Garlic powder gives the same flavoring as garlic itself. So you can use garlic salt or garlic powders available from top manufacturers at your grocery store particularly if you do not find these easy ways to peel garlic described here appealing or easy. The downside to this easy way to peel garlic: it does not give you the same health benefits as that of natural garlic. Also watch out for sodium and preservatives in the powder.
8. Using two containers
Using two containers, you can easily peel garlic in less than 30 seconds. This easy way works for the larger varieties of garlic- not for the tinier bulbs having small and tightly packed cloves. Simply place the garlic bulb in a container with all the cloves separated. Add another bowl on top. Hold the sides of the two containers firmly. Now shake the containers vigorously. This will help you loosen up the skin considerably and you will end up with peeled garlic.
9. Pop it in the microwave
Hate peeling garlic? Us too! You need not stress over it though as this easy way to peel garlic can give you peeled garlic in less than 20 seconds. Pop the entire bulb of garlic in the microwave and zap it on full power for 15 seconds. Take it out and remove the skin (careful-it will be hot) and you will end up with peeled garlic!
10. Get your kids to do it!
So your kids want to make some money? Get them to peel garlic. Tell them that they can earn up to 10 cents per clove they peel. We are sure most kids would be up to the task.
11. Cut the clove in half right through the peel
This is another of the easy ways to peel garlic cloves. Simply cut through the peel and you will find that the skin easily comes off the two halves of each clove.
12. Using a cloth and mallet
Separate the garlic cloves. Place a dry rough cloth over them. Gently smash the cloves with a mallet (take care not use too much force or you will end up with crushed garlic and tons of mess). The pressure of the mallet and the cloth’s texture will enable you to easily separate and peel skin of the garlic.
We hope these 12 easy ways to peel garlic help you to easily accomplish this cumbersome and smelly task so you can quickly get on your way to cooking healthy and tasty recipes.