Mandolines are used to slice ingredients (particularly vegetables) quickly, efficiently and uniformly. They allow you to slice much more quickly than with a knife but take great care – many a chef has lost the tip of a finger to a razor-sharp mandoline blade.
Furthermore, are mandoline slicers worth it?
Mandoline slicers are useful for producing perfectly even cuts for everything from thick-cut french fries to paper-thin slices of veggies for coleslaw. They are designed as a ramp-like platform that helps you guide and slide foods over a fixed, inset blade to create consistent slices or julienne cuts.
Considering this, can you slice meat on a mandolin?
A mandoline’s purpose is to slice and julienne vegetables and fruits. However, it can also be used on meat if desired. Most people use this cooking utensil to cut raw meat or uncooked poultry because of the large blade that comes standard.
Can you slice tomatoes with a mandolin?
Can you use a food processor instead of a mandolin?
Also, a food processor tends to be less precise and harder to control than a mandolin, which makes it less than ideal for achieving precise cuts. For this reason, most home cooks don’t like to use a food processor for slicing, which requires more finesse.
Can you use a mandoline to slice potatoes?
Mandolines are perfect for slicing potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, you name it! I use mine constantly for making homemade potato chips, scalloped potatoes, or even the julienne vegetables for Beef Bulgogi bowls.
Do I really need a mandoline?
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.
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.
What can I do with a mandoline?
10 things to do with a mandoline
- Fruit salads. …
- Classic salads. …
- Cheese board spreads. …
- Fantastic coleslaw. …
- Tomato, basil and mozzarella sandwich. …
- Veggie chips. …
- Onion slices for caramelized onions on beef burgers. …
- Expertly cut potato gratin.
What can I substitute for a mandoline?
4 Ways to Shave Vegetables Without a Mandoline
- Vegetable Peeler. This option will give you vegetable shapes that most resemble those you’ll get from a mandoline. …
- Cheese Planer. …
- Knife. …
- Food Processor.
Why is the kitchen tool called a mandolin?
The mandoline was invented in the late 18th century by Doctor Joseph-Ignace Guillotin (better known for his eponymous creation) and named after his ex-girlfriend, Mandy.