Garlic Peeler

I was always taught to peel garlic by laying a clove down on the chopping board, and using a wide bladed knife, bang the flat of the blade onto the clove. In theory this should flatten the clove sufficiently to loosen the skin so it could be easily removed. In practice bits of squished garlic clove flew everywhere and it wasn't uncommon to cut your hand on the knife in the process. Getting garlic juice in the cut just added insult to injury.

Granted I am particularly ham-fisted in the kitchen, but this little gadget caught my imagination. It's basically a silicone tube that you pop your garlic clove into and then rub it between your hands. The skin on the clove is removed, leaving the clove intact.

Neat and simple and being silicone it can be easily rinsed under the tap or popped in the dishwasher. Now if only someone could find something similar for chopping onions!

Garlic Peeler - £2.95 from ShinyShack.com