Don Silvers

Pureeing garlic in a garlic press couldn't be easier. Cleaning a garlic press couldn't be harder. So Susan Feniger uses her garlic press as seldom as possible. Instead, when she needs to puree garlic, she resorts to this truc. Cut a garlic clove in half lengthwise and place it flat-side down on a work surface. Make several vertical cuts, then several horizontal cuts on each half of the clove. Finish by cutting straight down across the clove, mincing the garlic. Sprinkle the garlic with a little salt and, using the flat side of a chef's knife, mash the garlic and salt together. The abrasiveness of the salt helps turn the garlic into a smooth puree.