How Rach Decides Whether To Chop, Grate, Slice Or Smash Garlic C…
We Asked a DIY Pro to Test This Liquid Alternative To Painter's …
We Test Mirror Effect Spray Paint That Claims To Turn Regular Gl…
Cinematographer Uses Drones To Rescue Animals Around The World |…
Deals From Rue La La: Cooling Hypoallergenic Gel Fiber Pillows, …
Andrew McCarthy's Son Calls Weekend At Bernie's The Stupidest Mo…
How To Make Jambalaya-Style Pasta with Spicy Pork (or Chicken) a…
Bacon-Praline Macaroni and Cheese | The Twisted Soul Cookbook
Spicy Big Smack Burgers With Smoky Onions + Denis Leary & Rach T…
How To Make Tagliatelle with Fava and Herb Pesto | Rachael Ray
Sam Sifton's Meatball Salad | The New York Times Cooking No-Reci…
Stylist Stacy London Says Skinny Jeans Will Never Die—Here's Why
How To Make John's "Sundays With Mom" Champagne Cocktail | John …
How To Make French Onion Monte Cristo with Spring Greens Salad |…
Justin Long's Mom Adorably Reveals What He Was Like When He Was …
We Celebrate a Teacher Who Makes Every One of Her Students a Per…
How To Make Boozy Berries | Rachael Ray
A Doctor's Favorite Types Of Calming Teas For Stress | Gastroent…
A Visual Trick That Could Help Stop Anxious Thoughts Instantly |…
4 Ways Stress Could Be Hurting Your Stomach + Tips For Relief | …
How To Make Ramen with Sesame-Miso Broth and Baked Crispy Tofu |…
We know Rach loves garlic, so she's the perfect person to ask this question about all the different methods there are for preparing garlic while cooking.
Q: What determines whether you chop, grate, slice, or smash the garlic clove?
— Sharon, viewer, via Facebook
A: "Your patience level!" Rach says. HA! But also, there are certain times when you might want to choose one over the others:
When To Grate Garlic
"If you have no patience and arthritis or your joints hurt, just put away your garlic peeled and grated," Rach says. "Grating is the easiest."
When To Slice Garlic
"If you want it sliced, that's usually for effect in the dish so it looks a certain way," according to Rachael.
RELATED: Can You Substitute Garlic Powder For Minced Garlic? Rachael Answers
When To Chop Garlic (& When To Smash It)
Unless Rach is making mashed potatoes, she says she never just smashes garlic cloves. She usually smashes or crushes her garlic before chopping to make it quicker and easier.
"Chopping is a byproduct of smashing," Rach explains. "If I crush the garlic, only if I'm going to mill it or process it in a food processor or put it through a food mill with mashed potatoes do I not do anything more to it. If I smash it and just throw it into the pan, it's because that's going to get emulsified or processed in some way or ground in a food mill. Usually if you crush the garlic it's to run your knife through it quicker and easier and make it small faster.
Whatever your preference, these methods "are all fine and legit," according to Rach. The only big thing to know about garlic is not to burn it, she says. Make sure not to cook it at too high a temperature, "because once you burn it you've got to start over and wash the pan."
