mandolin

Let's have a hand for this prepping gadget

A kitchen gadget just isn't a kitchen gadget unless it does something. Spin, slide, or transform, something has to happen. A definition such as this would seemingly imply that by nature of having a moving part, anything could be called a kitchen gadget. (And many manufacturers would happily agree.) However, as nifty a gadget may be--even those with enough moving parts to make a wind-up watch jealous--ultimately, it not only has to do something, but it has to do something useful.

The Farberware Mandoline Slicer Pro Speed Prep with 3 Blades qualifies as a kitchen gadget not only because … Read more

Slice and dice with this mandoline

Prep work can be a bore. However, having your ingredients in place before you start cooking can make all the difference in the world. So, we prep. We slice and dice, chop and cut our way through bushels of fruits and vegetables. It all comes down to when you need an ingredient in the pot, in it goes; there can be no time wasted dilly-dallying when it comes to dinnertime. If you don't find Zen enlightenment in all that tedious knife work, perhaps another option is more suited to your style.

The de Buyer Deluxe Dicing Mandoline is a … Read more

Slicing salad spinner serves speedy salads

Salads are greater than the sum of their parts. Much more is involved than simply chopping up some stuff and throwing it into a bowl; the construction of a salad depends not only on ingredients, but also proportions, preparation, and a knack for understanding collective tastes. No matter what salad you may be serving, before it goes in the big serving bowl, it all has to start with the prep work.

While salad preparation can consist of mixes and dressings and scrubbing and peeling, at its simplest form, salad is basically cleaned vegetables cut into a bowl. The Slice 'n Spin Salad Spinner with Built-in Mandolin … Read more

Slice veggies fast, and keep your fingers

I've watched enough cooking shows to really want to be able to chop entire piles of vegetables quickly. However, I don't have years to spend in a kitchen, honing my slicing skills. That, combined with the fact that I like having my fingers attached, led me to the Asian Mandoline Slicer from Benriner. This mandolin comes with three blades--fine, medium, and coarse--along with a pusher that keeps fingers away from the blades. The combination turns out perfectly sliced vegetables. The fine blade can turn carrots, radishes, and other treats into delicate garnishes, while the coarse blade cranks out … Read more