To avoid tedious fingering of the beloved bulbs, we first place the whole garlic bulb upside down on the chopping board and hit the root with the flat of our hand. This allows the individual cloves to roll out easily. To remove the tough skin, spread the cloves out on the board, place the flat side of a large chef's knife on top and lightly tap the top of the knife. The skin immediately pops open in several places and is easy to peel off.