Well, I must admit that I have never had a slicer of any kind. Last week I got a mandolin slicer, and I have to tell you I am in love. Although it is currently more of a love/hate relationship.
I researched many mandolines over the years and always was left undecided and unaffected. When I decided I wanted to start dehydrating food for my family I realized it would be a necessity. So, back to the reviews I went. I found the Progressive International HGT-11 Folding Mandoline Slicer to have the best reviews, but I was skeptical because of the great price. I decided to give it a shot, I bought it on Amazon and I knew I could return it if I was not satisfied with its performance.
The fear and anticipation I felt over the next few days was intolerable. The fear of course was that I would slice my fingers, as several reviewers have always cautioned. At last it arrived. I opened the box to find my pretty new Mandoline Slicer in its own lovely case with 4 interchangeable plates and a warning label, explaining that the blade is sharp. I should have read that twice.
I washed it carefully with a very long scrub brush keeping my fingers away from the blade. I did notice pieces of the scrub brush falling into the sink. This should have been my first inclination that I was in trouble.
So, I set the mandoline up on the counter top and began to slice an apple. Oh, what a beautiful thing it is to create such perfect slices. I then sliced a banana. Well after I accomplished these two, I guess I got a little cocky. What is better than to slice strawberries on an incredibly sharp mandoline??? Well a lot I guess, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. 3 strawberries in and it happened... My beautiful, symmetry creating slicer BIT me. Oh my, what a great bite too. I must tell you it was not just sliding the fruit to the blade that got me. I was trying to free up a piece of cut fruit, and it happened.
Regardless of the little love bites I have gotten (2 now to be honest), I am still in awe of the beauty that this slicer creates with such little effort. I use it every chance I get. I even use it to make a salad - it slices a cucumber in no time flat, I have not had anything but great experiences with my mandoline and it is certainly my favorite tool this week!!!
Fine. I admit it. You chose better than I. Mine is being returned and I will happily purchase this one. My favorite tool of the week is my apple peeler/corer/slicer though. I would not have tackled a case of apples without it.
ReplyDeleteFantastic choice, and quite the set up you have for it. I like your little bench, it seems very practical and handy. The Back to Basics Peel Away is on my wish list right now. I am debating between the suction cup and the clamp base right now. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001M20PQY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1T2QV8RUJMJWO
ReplyDeleteI'm not too good at kitchen tools but I would have to say I would find life very difficult without my kitchen aid! - and a zester - cause I love lemons! - lovely blog and I'm signing up to follow you!
ReplyDeleteMary
Mary, I couldn't agree more. My Kitchenaid has a permanent place in my heart and on my counter top. Although I haven't had much use for it this week. Honey wheat bread http://barefeetinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/05/honey-whole-wheat-bread.html is on the list for next week though. I signed up to follow you too!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if the mandoline could be my favorite. I sliced my finger really badly the first time I used it and since then, I've been absolutely petrified to use it!!
ReplyDeleteIf I had to choose one kitchen tool, it would have to be my food processor. It eliminates dicing and mincing and shaves off so much cooking time!
Safe choice Chung-Ah. Easier to keep the fingers in tact that way too. I love my food processor. I have been using it all week to make my Oven Roasted Tomato Sauce and Rosemary Basil Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the suction or clamp base, go clamp if you have a spot to clamp it to. I have a suction base and while I love it for doing what it does I have to resuction it quite often which is a hassle when my kids are helping. I am hoping to get another this year, one that has the option to core or not so I can peel and slice potatoes or just slice onions for drying.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog!
I saw Mary has a base for her clamp model. I may try to copy that idea. Thanks for the feedback, I have been battling back and forth.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
I also love my Mandolin but I would never use it without a cut glove, http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Cutlery-PerformanceShield-Resistant-Glove/dp/B0001V3URS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1336436148&sr=8-8 is the one I have it works great!
ReplyDelete