How to Purchase, Use, and Store Garlic

Garlic consists of smaller bulbs, or cloves and is one of the most widely used seasoning, whether fresh or dried, chopped or ground into powder or flakes. Garlic is used by itself or in conjunction with other seasonings and spices in a variety of dishes from all over the world. Many people use garlic on meat or in meat dishes whether a recipe calls for it or not because they like the flavor it adds.

Things You'll Need

• Paring, butcher, or other kitchen knife
• Food chopper
• Garlic press

Instructions

1. 

   Purchase a fresh garlic bulb that has no noticeable sprouting or dark spots. Dark spots can be an indication that the the cloves inside the thin skin holding them together are bad or going bad. The flavor of sprouted garlic is harsh.

2. Crush, mince, or press fresh garlic and you will notice that the flavor is more intense than whole garlic cloves. This is partly due to the juices.

3. 

   Purchase and use a garlic press to crush garlic cloves if you are using fresh garlic in a recipe.

4. 

   Use the flat side of a paring or other sharp knife when peeling garlic cloves. Placing the flat side of the blade on top of the garlic clove and hit it with your fist. This separates the the very thin papery skin from the clove so that you can easily peel it away.

5. 

   Remove the skin and you can carefully chop, mince, or dice the individual cloves, preferably with a blender, chopping utensil, or food processor.

6. Store whole heads of garlic in a cool, dark, and well ventilated place up to eight weeks. Once separated from the garlic head, individual cloves will keep for about ten days.

Tips & Warnings

• To remove the odor of garlic from your hands rub them with lemon juice and then salt. This will neutralize the odor. Afterwards wash your hand with soap and then rinse.