I just use whatever knife is in my hand, usually a boning knife (9" long, maybe an inch wide), but you could do the same whack-a-clove with a paring knife. The point is that your hand will just give way. Those cloves are tough little buggers.
There really is a difference between fresh garlic and the easier jar stuff. Same goes for ginger.
See, this is why I want to be a World's Worst Cook, dramatically speaking.
Because convenience has a cost and I want to get the line between the cost to quality up to the price of convenience.
When is it worth the extra effort...is what I'm saying here.
I definitely don't have the right kitchen hardware but I've got one of everything ever advertised AS SHOWN ON TV.
For purposes of the thread title, let me observe re Sen. Blumenthal....he speaks as if one of two things are going on...
a)his dentures are lose and rattling around in his mouth; or
b)he is a stutterer trying not to stutter.
I'm jus' sayin'.