A mandoline—with an e at the end—is a kitchen tool no one should be without. The key benefits to using a mandoline are speed and uniformity in slicing, shredding and sometimes grating. Traditionally used to cut prep time to a minimum when making gratins, slaws and french fries, mandolines are tremendously versatile.

What can I do with a mandolin slicer?

1. Fruit salads. …
2. Classic salads. …
3. Cheese board spreads. …
4. Fantastic coleslaw. …
5. Tomato, basil and mozzarella sandwich. …
6. Veggie chips. …
7. Onion slices for caramelized onions on beef burgers. …
8. Expertly cut potato gratin.

Do I really need a mandoline?

You don’t need a mandoline (but they’re damned handy). A mandoline is part of every working chef’s toolbox. … If you have even modest knife skills and don’t do a lot of entertaining, you can do anything and everything you ever need to do in a kitchen with just a chef’s knife and paring knife.

Are mandoline slicers worth it?

This is my favorite because the blade is sharp (safer to use), big enough for most vegetables, has minimal attachments, is easy to clean, stores away quickly, and is only $25.57 on Amazon! With a mandoline, you can create paper thin slices of vegetables that make for a very quick and elegant salad.

Where is a mandoline slicer used?

A mandoline is typically used when making dishes that require uniformly sliced vegetables, such as a potato gratin or homemade potato chips. But it is also used to make french fries, vegetable slaws, and shredded or shaved vegetable dishes.

Can a mandoline slicer meat?

Mandolins are no good for slicing raw meat. Even electric meat slicers really don’t work that well. The meat is just too soft and flexible, and rather tough to cut. Cooked and processed meats, being much firmer, are easier to slice, but most are still too tough for a mandolin.

Can you cut cheese on a mandolin?

Cheese. A mandoline isn’t just for fruits and vegetables. You can use it to slice or grate any firm cheese. Incidentally, I’ve also used mine for chocolate.

Do professional chefs use mandolins?

But even as home cooks rush to embrace every implement of the professional kitchen, the mandoline remains one of the few to be overlooked. That’s at least partly because of their unwavering devotion to another professional tool: the food processor.

Can you use a food processor instead of a mandolin?

Mandolines have a different array of functions than food processors. You can julienne some vegetables with a food processor, but you are only able to make them as wide as the width of the top chute. Ditto slicing. Mandolines are a bit cumbersome, but worth the price and the shelf space they take up.

What happens if you don't have a mandolin?

To substitute a mandoline, you can use a vegetable peeler, a cheese planer, a food processor, or a sharp knife to get the job done. While a mandoline slicer can be a very convenient tool in the kitchen, it can also be a hazardous and complicated one.

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Are Mandolines safe?

Overall, using a kitchen mandoline is a rather safe process. However, since this kitchen gadget does contain a sharp blade that can cause injury if not used or handled properly, it is important to follow a few mandoline safety rules to keep the user injury free.

Why is a kitchen mandolin called a mandolin?

The mandoline got its name because the hand movement when using it is reminiscent of playing a mandolin. It is useful for preparing chopped salads, Russian salads, soups or crudités with marinade.

Can you use a mandoline to slice potatoes?

Slicing with a Mandolin It is excellent for slicing potatoes evenly, and can produce slices from very thin to very thick, as well as fl uted slices for crinkle-cut potato chips. The mandolin must be used with care because of its very sharp blades.

Can you slice oranges with a mandolin?

Choose the right blade, and in seconds, your orange will turn into translucently-thin slices, which makes for the perfect topping to a citrusy chocolate tart! There are some mandoline slicers that also include a grating blade.

Can you use a mandoline to slice beef?

Yes, you can cut meat using a mandoline slicer. But you need to follow some guidelines and tips to cut meat in thin slices. … Even with a mandolin meat slicer, you may require some skill to cut thin and perfect meat slices. You may need to prepare your meat accordingly if you want the exact same slices of meat.

Can you use a mandoline to slice salami?

The mandoline’s virtues are lightning-fast speed and versatility. … With very little effort, you whiz food back and forth across the blade to make julienned (matchstick) carrots, superthin slices of salami, thicker ones of bell pepper, or waffle-sliced potatoes.

What is a julienne peeler?

A julienne peeler is a nifty kitchen tool that works well on a variety of fruits and vegetables, quickly cutting them into thin, elegant strips. … Starting at the top of the citrus, gently press the sharp stainless blade just under the skin, then continue running it down to the opposite end, forming julienne strips.

How do you cut vegetables evenly?

Dice the vegetable. Hold the sliced pieces together with your spare hand, turn it 90 degrees in either direction. Make small cubes by slicing through the vegetable from top to bottom. Steady it once again with your fingertips, slice from right to left (if you are right-handed).

How do you clean a mandolin?

The best way to clean a mandoline slicer is to gently wipe it with mild soap and warm or hot water. If this is done after each use, it should avoid food being stuck onto the mandoline slicer and therefore more in-depth cleaning should not be required.

What can I use instead of a mandolin?

1. Vegetable Peeler. This option will give you vegetable shapes that most resemble those you’ll get from a mandoline. …
2. Cheese Planer. …
3. Knife. …
4. Food Processor.

How do you not cut yourself on a mandolin?

1. Keep your blade sharp: Like with kitchen knives, a sharp blade gives you more control so you don’t accidentally cut yourself. …
2. Keep it stable: Rest the mandoline on a flat surface so it isn’t wobbling while you slice.

How do you cut fennel without a mandoline?

Vegetable peeler Trim the base of the fennel and cut the bulb into quarters. Remove the core from each quarter. Holding a fennel quarter in one hand, run the peeler lengthwise down a cut side of the quarter. Continue to shave the bulb in this manner until it becomes difficult to hold.