I've tried that, with two metal same size bowls, and it didn't work. Not after five seconds. Not after a minute.
If by genius, you mean a convicted felon who is a nasty human being, then yes, she is.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
She's no Sandra Lee.
She can't even pretend to be a decent person; I think her vile is physical as well as spiritual.
She is a genius but also a nasty human being. This trick DOES work and she didn't come up with it. It goes even faster if you break up the head. It's very important to have more than one clove of garlic in the bowls and those bowls are the only ones that really work for me.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
That's cool. I want to go do it right now.
I used to kind of loathe Martha's anal-retentive ways but now after the food networks parade of dilettantes it's nice to see someone who really cares about a recipe and getting it right. Besides the new trend on coking shows seems to be to not peel onions or garlic at all and then strain or pull the skins out.
Kids today.

They sell garlic peelers at any kitchen store that is nothing more than a section of rubber tubing. You put the garlic in, roll it between your hands and 5 seconds later your garlic is peeled.
http://gingernutcookie.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/garlic_peeler.jpg
Diva, thanks! I must get one of those. I always cook with garlic. Matter of fact, just got finished hand peeling 5 cloves.
If you are just doing 1 or 2 (or even 5) cloves of garlic, just smash them on a cutting board using the flat side of a chef's knife with the heel of your palm. It will separate the clove from the skin and make it much easier to chop or mince. That's the way most professional chefs do it. Obviously be careful and tilt the blade side of the knife slightly down to ensure you don't cut yourself.
Bob, you're right. I totally forgot about that technique.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
"just smash them on a cutting board using the flat side of a chef's knife with the heel of your palm."
Why just dirty a knife, when you can dirty two metal bowls?
I admit I loved when Martha had Miss Piggy on her show. I've never seen anyone look like they were going to kill a Muppet before.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
Did you ever see the episodes where she has her mother on? There's one where her mother is using a spoon to mix something in a bowl and she's talking. Martha grabs the bowl out of her mother's hands and says "I'll finish this."
When Martha went to jail, I thought "Payback for being so mean to your mother."
Eric, I know! The Christmas episode where Piggy keeps getting in the way as Martha is trying to build a gingerbread mansion. By the end, Martha was clearing thinking that Miss Piggy was nothing more than the other white meat.
Bob, I agree with your garlic technique. Smashing them a bit also releases the juice in the clove.
"She's no Sandra Lee"
Thank God she's not!! SL is a skank. I give you exhibit A:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we2iWTJqo98
When I lived in Brooklyn in the early 90s, Martha's first show aired at 7:00 on Sunday mornings. I really enjoyed her then. Then she became very Stepford wife-ish, with her over pronunciation of words, etc. Her talk show on the Hallmark channel was horrible. Her cooking and baking shows on PBS are fine.
I loved the episode where one of Martha's guests (some Italian lady making eggplant parmigian, etc.) snapped at Martha for spilling her homemade sparkling wine.
Did anyone ever watch "Whatever with Alexis and Jennifer"? It featured Martha Stewart's bitter and sarcastic daughter, Alexis and her childhood friend, Jennifer. They would show clips of Martha's show (with voiceover either reminiscing. Mommie Dearest style, about growing up with Martha as a mother, or mocking Martha's mom jeans) Then they would try and actually make the craft that Martha was making with sometimes hilarious, sometimes lame results.
They don't have to be metal bowls...just 2 of the same size bowls. I use 2 Fiestaware cereal bowls. It works with one clove of garlic as well.
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