Fresh ginger is a delicious flavor in dozens of dishes, from Asian curries to baked goods. It's also good for you and known to relieve nausea and morning sickness as well as lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation. To get these benefits, you must first peel the ginger root. It may seem like an impossible task, but you’ll have success in no time by following these simple steps.

With a spoon
The best peeling method is to use a small spoon like you would a knife (think peeling an apple with a knife instead of a peeler): Use one hand to hold the ginger in place and the other to hold the spoon. With the hand holding the spoon, place your thumb on the back of the spoon so the cup side is facing down (opposite of how you normally hold a spoon). Scrape the ginger with the edge of the inside of the spoon by peeling away from your body. The flaky skin will slowly fall off the ginger without wasting any of the root.

With a vegetable peeler
The second-best option is to use a vegetable peeler. Because the peeler won't be able to reach around all the knobs, you should first chop the root into smaller, more manageable pieces. Peel the ginger like you would a potato, remembering to peel away from yourself.

With a knife
This should be your last resort because not only is it the most dangerous, it's also the most wasteful: Use a sharp knife just as you would to peel a potato or carrots. Because the skin is so thin, you’ll be peeling part of the root as well.

Nestpert: Certified personal chef Lisa Brisch teaches in-home cooking classes and runs a personal chef service in Wilmington, Delaware. Learn more at Dinner-Thyme.com.

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-- Alexandra Finkel

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