Question about garlic

[akite]

What exactly is a clove of fresh garlic? Is it the whole bunch or just one of the little heads inside the bunch? I've never cooked with fresh garlic before, always used garlic powder, but I want to branch out, and I'm a little confused by the terminology.

ETA: Thanks, everyone!

Comments

[damned_colonial]

A clove is one of the little sections. The whole "bunch" is called a head of garlic.

[princessofgeeks]

It's one of the little buds.

The entire thing is called a head and the individual buds that grow and clump together are called cloves.

[zarhooie]

Since you've already gotten an answer on what the garlic clove is, here's some information on how to prep it!

To peel it, take the flat of a knife and put it over top the piece of garlic. Gently hit the knife once. That will make the garlic skin come off easier. I *always* cut off the brownish hard piece, but some people leave it on. YMMV, etc.

I personally prefer crushed or pressed garlic to minced. To crush it, just put it into a small bowl (or whatever you're going to put it into) and smush it with the flat of a spoon. A garlic press is a useful thing to have in your kitchen. I've got this one by Zyliss but you can get 'em even cheaper at your local food supply store. I like this one because it has a bigger compartment so I can press more than one clove at the same time.

If your hands smell like garlic, rub them on a piece of stainless steel (like your sink). That'll neutralize the odor.

[lassarina]

Adding to say: Pouring a bit of lemon juice on your hands will also neutralize the garlic smell, and then you smell delightfully like citrus!

Funny true story: boyfriend taught himself to cook, and was convinced a head of garlic was a clove. Since I love garlic, I did not notice this until the time I was helping him make beef bourguignonne, and he put a bowl full of peeled cloves in front of me (the recipe called for 6; it was a huge amount).

Me: Baby, why so many?
Him: .....I'm not done? *holds up head of garlic*
Me: Um...we only need 6 cloves.
Him: I know.
Me, understanding beginning to dawn: *holds up clove* This is a clove.
Him: No, this is. *points at head*
Me: *proves with Internet*

We had a grand laugh about it, but oh my. No wonder I love his cooking so.

[akite]

See? This is why I wanted the clarification. I love garlic, but the only time I ever cooked with the fresh stuff, the food didn't taste very garlicy to me. I probably need more cloves. *nods* Thanks!

[pauamma]

Mmmm, garlic.