Garlic is a pungent root vegetable used as a seasoning in many different types of cuisine. It also offers numerous health benefits, including antioxidant properties and vitamins B and C. By mincing the garlic into very tiny pieces, you ensure that it can be thoroughly blended and distributed throughout the ingredients in a recipe for the full flavor benefit. You don't need specialty tools or equipment to mince the garlic. Use these simple techniques, along with a sharp kitchen knife, to mince garlic for all your favorite recipes.
Garlic Facts
Garlic is a key ingredient in many sauces and main dishes. It's available fresh, dried or minced, as well as in ground form as garlic salt and garlic powder. Garlic has proven anticholesterol benefits and also helps reduce blood pressure. It contains high levels of the minerals manganese and selenium, which have important antioxidant properties. Garlic also is a good source of potassium and calcium. It's virtually calorie-free, containing only four calories per clove.
Separate the Garlic Cloves from the Bulb
There are special utensils available to crush and mince garlic, but you can do this yourself without these tools, using a sharp knife and a cutting board. The first step is to separate the individual cloves from the garlic bulb. Do this by crushing the bulb on the cutting board with the heel of your hand or by cutting the cloves out with the tip of a knife.
Prepare the Cloves for Mincing
Cut off the hard end of the clove where it was attached to the bulb. Use your fingers or knife to remove the peeling from the clove. Repeat this for the total number of cloves called for in your recipe. Discard the cut ends, flaky skin and peelings.
Finely Minced Garlic
Use a very sharp chef's knife or paring knife to make multiple clean cuts across the length of the garlic clove. Repeat the cuts in a widthwise direction, cutting the strips into smaller pieces. Continue drawing the knife across the cut pieces of garlic until the clove is minced into pieces of the desired size.
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