Looking for an easy way to get your vegetables chopped quickly and beautifully? A mandoline slicer is just the thing for you. However, before you get going, it is essential that you understand how to use a mandoline slicer correctly.
Otherwise, well, you might just end up getting yourself pretty badly hurt. Yes, as with most kitchen tools, a mandoline slicer can also cause injury if used carelessly.
How to Use a Mandoline Slicer?
When it comes to using a mandoline slicer, vigilance is the key. The moment your attention shifts, and your movements become careless, the chances of an injury can increase. With their elongated, sharp blades, mandoline slicers are notorious for incurring severe cuts. However, this is mainly because people manhandle the equipment.
Most people are ill-equipped with the knowledge of how to use a mandoline slicer, and thus, often wind up with an injury. Even though slightly risky, mandoline slicers are still commonly used today due to its effectiveness.
Their ability to slice and dice vegetables and fruits with absolute uniformity and precision makes them one of the most useful kitchen tool. Here are simple steps that will guide you in using a mandoline slicer for the first time (without chopping your fingers in the process, of course):
Step 1 – Place the slicer perpendicularly
Position your mandoline slicer perpendicular to yourself on a cutting board. This will provide you with better control over whatever edibles you are slicing.
Step 2 – Choose a slicing blade
Most mandoline slicers come with a variety of slicing blades that are used to create different textured slices. Select the one that suits your needs.
Step 3 – Adjust the thickness
Adjust the slicing blade to your desired thickness. You can adjust the thickness of each cut with the knob or lever on the side of the slicer.
Step 4 – Slice your vegetable or fruit in half
If the vegetable or fruit you intend on slicing using your mandoline slicer is a bulky one, cut it in half first and then proceed to slice it.
Step 5 – Use a safety guard or a cut-resistant glove
Since mandoline blades are very sharp, you should try to use a safety guard or wear cut-resistant kitchen gloves to keep you safe.
Step 6 – Hold the vegetable or fruit in place with your hand pusher
Place the vegetable or fruit on the blade, and set your hand pusher firmly upon it.
Step 7 – Slide the vegetable or fruit
Use the hand pusher to run the vegetable rapidly up and down over the slicing blade. The slices fall onto the cutting board.
Step 8 – Slice the other half
Follow the same process for the other half of the vegetable or fruit, ensuring that the hand pusher makes even and consistent pressure strokes. Do not slide the hand pusher too fast across the blade. You might end up injuring yourself!
Step 9 – Wipe the slicer
Once you are done slicing the vegetable or fruit, wipe your slicer clean. This ensures that the tiny bits and pieces do not dry on the slicer.
Benefits of Using a Mandoline Slicer
Using a mandoline slicer can be dangerous ,yes, but does that mean that you should cease using it. No, definitely not. Now that you have learned using a mandoline slicer safely, your life in the kitchen is going to become much more comfortable. The benefits of using a mandoline slicer are endless.
A mandoline slicer can be a great asset in the kitchen. It will not only allow you to save an immense amount of time but also create such consistent slices that take the presentation of your food to a whole new level. Now, you can cut and slice within seconds.
You can even vary the thickness of the slices, and adjust them according to your desires. This will allow you to create all sorts of slices, ranging from straight cuts, ribbons, and juliennes to perfect waffle cuts. With its wide assortment of slicing blades, a mandoline slicer will help make
cooking much easier and fun!
As opposed to a simple kitchen knife, a mandoline slicer also:
- Creates slices of consistent thickness
- Allows you to adjust the thickness of the slices
- Produces slices with ripple cuts, ribbons, julienne, or even waffle cuts
- Saves you a lot of prep time
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. You can use this to grate a block of cheese finely and in no time.
Interesting Things to Do With a Mandoline Slicer
Here is a list of dishes that you can prepare by creating smooth
slices using your mandoline slicer:
- A crispy, vegetable salad from beets, kohlrabi, carrots, and radishes
- Potato, beet, or sweet potato chips, or crispy fried okra chip
- Fresh slaw in minutes
- Thicker slices of sweet potato for trendy, wheat-free toast
- Your own low-carb, low-calorie zucchini pasta
- Thinly-sliced apple or rhubarb slices to top chocolate tarts
- Paper-thin slices of citrus fruit for marmalade or punch
Then again, you have to remember that accidents are a common thing
with mandoline slicers. What’s even worse is that they can cause injuries that
are very excruciating.
As it is fast and offers speedy rhythm, it is difficult to stop before the fingers come in contact with the blades. Thus, when using one, it is best to take some safety precautions by wearing gloves.
Final Words
When using a mandoline slicer, always remember to use a safety guard. For further protection, you can even wear a pair of cut-resistant kitchen gloves. Both of these will protect your fingers and prevent them from becoming wounded in the process.
Moreover, it is also important that you are able to understand the method of using a mandoline
slicer well. Make sure that you do not rush while sliding the hand pusher across
the sharp blade, and remember to use the safety guard at all times.
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