Published on The Independent on 17th March 2021

Garlic is ubiquitous in some of the nation’s favourite dishes, from curries and stir fries to hummus and aioli. It’s no surprise given that adding a clove or two can do wonders for the flavour of your food, not to mention the fact that garlic is also well known for having health benefits, including the ability to reduce the risk of certain cancers.

But while delicious and healthy, the shape and size of the cloves mean garlic can be very fiddly to cut up, and the smell will linger on your fingers long after you’ve finished eating.

This is where a good garlic press can come in handy – you can crush through a couple of cloves within seconds and the result is pretty consistent.

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Published on The Independent on 9th March 2021

For quick, easy and healthy meals, it’s hard to beat steaming. Thanks to the gentle cooking process and the moist cooking environment, vegetables are able to retain more of their nutritional value, while meat and fish stay tender and juicy.

Traditionally, steamers have been inserts that go over a pan of boiling water, but there are now smart machines that can take care of all the timings for you so you can just set it and forget it. As they come in a huge range of sizes and price points, the type you get will depend on what you plan to cook and how often; the size of your kitchen; and, of course, your budget.

Smaller steam baskets are perfect for cooking vegetables for one or two people, for example. They’re cheaper, don’t take much room and can be used with your existing pans. But there are also bigger options for those who are more adventurous and want to experiment with different recipes or create entire meals.

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