You'll Never Find Ina Garten Using This Common Kitchen Tool - Tasting Table

"If the Barefoot Contessa does something herself, you can feel confident it makes life that much better, whether it's a refreshingly easy recipe for a dreamy dish, a genius organization hack, or a stress-free solution to throwing a memorable dinner party. We've rounded up 18 kitchen tools Ina Garten considers essential, as these are the secrets to her efficient and effortless culinary magic. But it's just as important and intriguing to know: Is there a kitchen tool she deems unnecessary?"

"There are indeed important things to consider before buying a garlic press, or keeping the one you have. Yes, it speeds up crushing cloves into tiny, aromatic pieces ready for any recipe, but if you're not cooking with fresh garlic every night, you may not even notice the extra minute it takes to dice cloves with a knife, which also gives you control over the sizes of the pieces."

Ina Garten prefers fewer kitchen gadgets and does not use a garlic press, saying a knife achieves the same result with better control and easier cleanup. A garlic press can quickly crush cloves into tiny, aromatic pieces, but the time savings are minimal unless fresh garlic is used nightly. Strong, well-maintained kitchen knives cover nearly every garlic-prep task and serve as essential tools for meal preparation. Owning fewer gadgets improves organization and reduces clutter. Consider individual cooking habits before buying specialty tools.

Read at Tasting Table