I was just thinking about some of the things that I use regularly that I
thought at first were stupid, useless, or gimmicky, but now I'd have a hard
time living without.

Prime example is my microwave. When I first heard about them, I thought they
were insane. Why bother? Okay, I don't actually "cook": much in the mw, but
I use it all the time for reheating things, and sometimes for thawing. Some
veggies get cooked in there, just because I run out of burner space. And
I'll admit to cooking winter squash in there. I'd miss it if it disappeared.

Gloves are another thing. Rubber gloves, latex gloves; whatever. I don't
think food is "icky" and I never saw the sense in using rubber gloves for
washing dishes or handling food, but lately I've been battling a little rash
on my hands, and I've taken to wearing gloves when I'm working in the
kitchen. Seems to be helping while I narrow down the exact cause. Using
gloves while handling dough is kind of weird, so I just bought some fabric
"dough gloves" which I never would have bought otherwise. They work. I don't
know if I'll continue using them forever, but for now, they're a keeper.

Electric meat slicer. Yeah, who needs a meat slicer if you have a sharp
knife? This isn't something I use every day, but when I have a beef roast
and I want thin slices for sandwiches or Italian beef this thing is great.
Or for nice even slices of anything. Bread, cheese....Yes, I still slice
things by hand a lot of the time, especially when it's small quantities, but
this is a nice thing to have on hand when I need it.

On the other hand, I've gone though so many cheese grating devices in my
time...this must be my major impulse-buy weakness. I was cleaning out
kitchen gadgets a while back, and I got rid of quite a few grating devices
that just didn't do the job. I had rotary graters and box graters, and all
sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
figured out what I liked for the small jobs.

So...what things to you have that you found out were really wonderful and/or
terrible?

Donna



--
D.Currie

How about the computer? My son had his first computer when he was 8 --
he's 36 now. He kept asking for upgrades, telling me he would share
and I could use it for storing my recipes. We got him the upgrades,
but I would tell him that I would never have any use for a computer in
the kitchen. Was I wrong, or what? By the way, he's a director of
engineering at a very well know computer security company now. I guess
we both won.

> So...what things to you have that you found out were
> really wonderful and/or terrible?

Since I'm tagged as the cook among my friends -- though I only do it
because otherwise I'd *starve* -- I get cooking paraphernalia as gifts.
I never wanted a microplaner, but I'm reasonably glad I got one,
though I've only used it like four times for nutmeg.

On the other hand, I've got this weird little thing and I'm not even
sure what it's for. It's like a very small handheld grinder: turning
a crank turns a little spiky wheel that forces *something* down into
some little parallel blades and then out.

But what?

As I recall, I was told it was an herb chopper, but for the life of me
I can't figure out what herb. I wouldn't put rosemary in the thing,
for example -- or thyme, or anything with a stem. Even assuming it
could handle basil, I think it'd just rip it into miscellaneous shapes
rather than nicely chop it.

Anyway, anybody have an idea of what I'm talking about? Obviously I
don't.

wrote:
> > So...what things to you have that you found out were
> > really wonderful and/or terrible?
>
> On the other hand, I've got this weird little thing and I'm not even
> sure what it's for. It's like a very small handheld grinder: turning
> a crank turns a little spiky wheel that forces *something* down into
> some little parallel blades and then out.
> Anyway, anybody have an idea of what I'm talking about? Obviously I
> don't.
Sounds to me like the little "parsley chopper" I thought I'd use, but
it's way too awkward. Sent it home with son at Thanksgiving time.

Something I never want to be without is my silly little 1 cup jar with
the top through which I put walnut halves to be crank-chopped. No
chopped-size choice, just what I would call medium-chop, and perfect
for my primary want of putting nuts in cookie batter. Easy to take
apart and clean, uses very little shelf space, and certainly cheap
enough to replace every year if need be. After using it for a few
months I did buy a spare just in case, but am still using only the
first one after more than ten years.

Another is the little wood block with the wire cheese slicer attached.
I used the same one for at least thirty years, only replacing it with
an all stainless one while buying same for my grandson to use with the
Pannini maker I got him for Christmas.

Picky

wrote:
>
> > So...what things to you have that you found out were
> > really wonderful and/or terrible?
>
> Since I'm tagged as the cook among my friends -- though I only do it
> because otherwise I'd *starve* -- I get cooking paraphernalia as gifts.
> I never wanted a microplaner, but I'm reasonably glad I got one,
> though I've only used it like four times for nutmeg.
>
> On the other hand, I've got this weird little thing and I'm not even
> sure what it's for. It's like a very small handheld grinder: turning
> a crank turns a little spiky wheel that forces *something* down into
> some little parallel blades and then out.
>
> But what?
>
> As I recall, I was told it was an herb chopper, but for the life of me
> I can't figure out what herb. I wouldn't put rosemary in the thing,
> for example -- or thyme, or anything with a stem. Even assuming it
> could handle basil, I think it'd just rip it into miscellaneous shapes
> rather than nicely chop it.
>
> Anyway, anybody have an idea of what I'm talking about? Obviously I
> don't.

I had one many years ago....It was for chopping nuts....Sharon

D.Currie wrote:

> On the other hand, I've gone though so many cheese grating devices in my
> time...this must be my major impulse-buy weakness. I was cleaning out
> kitchen gadgets a while back, and I got rid of quite a few grating devices
> that just didn't do the job. I had rotary graters and box graters, and all
> sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
> which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
> figured out what I liked for the small jobs.

So don't keep me in suspense!! Which one was it? I'm leaning on the
Zyliss, but haven't actually used one. I use a small box grater for
small jobs, and my Cuisinart for big ones.
Goomba

Jeneen Sommers wrote:

> Is it a nutmeg grinder? I love mine, though I never thought I'd use it.
>
> Jeneen

I LOVE my nutmeg grater! It has a nice little cubbie spot on top to
store the clove of nutmeg in too. I bought it in Germany many years ago
at a Christmas Markt. Just using it brings me nice memories.
Goomba

Goomba38 wrote:
> So don't keep me in suspense!! Which one was it? I'm leaning on the
> Zyliss, but haven't actually used one. I use a small box grater for
> small jobs, and my Cuisinart for big ones.
I love my Zyliss! I use it just for grating hard Romano or Parmesan
into tiny shreds to refer-store for salad toppings and for melting onto
toasted garlic bread. I first saw the hand-grater one used by the
waiter at a restaurant, and later found Zyliss makes one with more than
just the tiny interior shredder wheel and it's the type that
suction-sets onto the counter top. For those of us having trouble with
arthritic wrists, it's wonderful.

PickySays

Michael "Dog3" Lonergan wrote:
> Goomba38 > hitched up their panties and posted
> :
>
> > Jeneen Sommers wrote:
> >
> >> Is it a nutmeg grinder? I love mine, though I never thought I'd use it.
> >>
> >> Jeneen
> >
> > I LOVE my nutmeg grater! It has a nice little cubbie spot on top to
> > store the clove of nutmeg in too. I bought it in Germany many years ago
> > at a Christmas Markt. Just using it brings me nice memories.
> > Goomba
>
> Well, I have to eat crow on this one. Several months back I posted about
> this battery operated drink stirrer. I bought it out of sheer curiosity.
> Well, now I like it. I don't stir many drinks but

Sure, but... of course you're gonna love it when you use it as shit
stirrer! hehehe

<EG>

Sheldon

[snip]

Probably my Houdini wine bottle opener. I thought it was silly to get
a fancy opener like this when we could open wine just fine with a
regular corkscrew, but this thing is wonderful.
We recently bought a ton of kitchen gadgets. I love my hot pot,
veggie steamer, and mini chopper. For some reason, though, I never use
the blender. I kind of wish we didn't have it because it takes up a lot
of counter room, but DH won't let me get rid of it. He might make a
margarita sometime soon, he says.

Stacia

"Goomba38" > wrote in message
...
> D.Currie wrote:
>
>> On the other hand, I've gone though so many cheese grating devices in my
>> time...this must be my major impulse-buy weakness. I was cleaning out
>> kitchen gadgets a while back, and I got rid of quite a few grating
>> devices that just didn't do the job. I had rotary graters and box
>> graters, and all sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has
>> a grater device which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand
>> graters before I figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
>
> So don't keep me in suspense!! Which one was it? I'm leaning on the
> Zyliss, but haven't actually used one. I use a small box grater for small
> jobs, and my Cuisinart for big ones.
> Goomba

The Zyliss with the big barrel does softer cheeses like a dream. I use it
for mozzarella, cheddar, that type of thing. I was surprised at how well it
does those, considering how annoying those usually are to deal with unless
you freeze them first to get them harder.

It's also fine with harder cheeses like parm, but I've also got a whole set
of microplane graters, so depending on what I'm using the cheese for, I like
using those to get different textures.

Donna

When my sister sold Tupperware, one fo the favors was an orange peeler.
I found a citrus peeler (not the old tupperware) by accident at a
thrift store in a box of odds and ends. It seemed so nice to score the
skin, peel it, and section it without getting all the stuff under my
fingernails. This one is also curved for grapefruit.

D.Currie wrote:

>I was just thinking about some of the things that I use regularly that I
>thought at first were stupid, useless, or gimmicky, but now I'd have a hard
>time living without.
>
>
>
>So...what things to you have that you found out were really wonderful and/or
>terrible?
>
>Donna
>
>
>
>
>
I've got a mezzaluna, one of those curved blades with a handle at each
end that is used for chopping herbs. My mother gave it to me. You can
chop one-handed, which I find very helpful. Likewise my one-handed
pepper-grinder which has two levers that you squeeze.

It's not really a gadget, but I really couldn't do without my Bamix
stick blender.

Christine

Old Mother Ashby wrote:

> I've got a mezzaluna, one of those curved blades with a handle at each
> end that is used for chopping herbs. My mother gave it to me. You can
> chop one-handed, which I find very helpful.

What's your opinion of the mezzaluna? Is it better/faster/easier
than using a chef's knife? I noticed Nigella Lawson uses one.

--
Reg

"Goomba38" > wrote in message
...
> Jeneen Sommers wrote:
>
> > Is it a nutmeg grinder? I love mine, though I never thought I'd use it.
> >
> > Jeneen
>
> I LOVE my nutmeg grater! It has a nice little cubbie spot on top to
> store the clove of nutmeg in too. I bought it in Germany many years ago
> at a Christmas Markt. Just using it brings me nice memories.
> Goomba

Nutmeg grinder! If you have an angle grinder you don't need a nutmeg
grinder.

David

D.Currie wrote:
> I was just thinking about some of the things that I use regularly that I
> thought at first were stupid, useless, or gimmicky, but now I'd have a hard
> time living without.
>
> Prime example is my microwave. When I first heard about them, I thought they
> were insane. Why bother? Okay, I don't actually "cook": much in the mw, but
> I use it all the time for reheating things, and sometimes for thawing. Some
> veggies get cooked in there, just because I run out of burner space. And
> I'll admit to cooking winter squash in there. I'd miss it if it disappeared.
>
> Gloves are another thing. Rubber gloves, latex gloves; whatever. I don't
> think food is "icky" and I never saw the sense in using rubber gloves for
> washing dishes or handling food, but lately I've been battling a little rash
> on my hands, and I've taken to wearing gloves when I'm working in the
> kitchen. Seems to be helping while I narrow down the exact cause. Using
> gloves while handling dough is kind of weird, so I just bought some fabric
> "dough gloves" which I never would have bought otherwise. They work. I don't
> know if I'll continue using them forever, but for now, they're a keeper.
>
> Electric meat slicer. Yeah, who needs a meat slicer if you have a sharp
> knife? This isn't something I use every day, but when I have a beef roast
> and I want thin slices for sandwiches or Italian beef this thing is great.
> Or for nice even slices of anything. Bread, cheese....Yes, I still slice
> things by hand a lot of the time, especially when it's small quantities, but
> this is a nice thing to have on hand when I need it.
>
> On the other hand, I've gone though so many cheese grating devices in my
> time...this must be my major impulse-buy weakness. I was cleaning out
> kitchen gadgets a while back, and I got rid of quite a few grating devices
> that just didn't do the job. I had rotary graters and box graters, and all
> sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
> which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
> figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
>
> So...what things to you have that you found out were really wonderful and/or
> terrible?
>
> Donna
>
>
>
> --
> D.Currie

...don't know what's with the skin drying/ cracking up, I have to keep
remembering to use rubber gloves for dish washing/ cleaning. I would
like to keep kitchen paper towels and cling film, even though I can
live without them.

Can do without Ice Cream Scoop, saw some chopstick-rests in the
cupboard the other day, don't really use them.

>> It's like a very small handheld grinder: turning
a crank turns a little spiky wheel that forces *something* down into
some little parallel blades and then out.

Where I live it is a parsley chopper, but then we use a lot of parsley.
I expect it would work for any leafy herb, like celery leaves?
"Trittaprezzemolo."

On Wed 15 Mar 2006 02:34:19a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Judith
Umbria?

>>> It's like a very small handheld grinder: turning
> a crank turns a little spiky wheel that forces *something* down into
> some little parallel blades and then out.
>
> Where I live it is a parsley chopper, but then we use a lot of parsley.
> I expect it would work for any leafy herb, like celery leaves?
> "Trittaprezzemolo."

Depends on the size. Larger versions of this design are for chopping nuts.
The smaller versions, as you said, are parsley choppers. I swear by the nut
chopper. My mom had one when I was growing up, and I have one now.
Depending on the direction you turn the handle, it chops fine or coarse. I
once owned a parsley chopper, but it never produced anything but mush. I
kept it around for years, then finally sold it at a garage sale. A knife
works much better for me.

--
Wayne Boatwright o¿o
____________________

BIOYA

In article >,
"D.Currie" > wrote:

> sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
> which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
> figured out what I liked for the small jobs.

And that would be what?
--
-Barb
<www.jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 3-14-06, Sam I Am!

Michael "Dog3" Lonergan wrote:

> Well, I have to eat crow on this one. Several months back I posted about
> this battery operated drink stirrer. I bought it out of sheer curiosity.
> Well, now I like it. I don't stir many drinks but it mixes up Kool Aid and
> powdered drinks pretty good.
>
> Michael

Your wrist broken??
Powdered mixes..add a smidgeon of warm or hot water to powder to
dissolve. Fill up container with cool water from tap. Tres simple!
LOL
Goomba

D.Currie wrote:
>
> So...what things to you have that you found out were really wonderful and/or
> terrible?
>

I've got a Sawzall that's going to help me rip out the ugly old kitchen
and replace it with something functional. It's the best kitchen tool I
can imagine.
Cam

On Wed 15 Mar 2006 08:42:43a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Cam?

>
> D.Currie wrote:
>>
>> So...what things to you have that you found out were really wonderful
>> and/or terrible?
>>
>
> I've got a Sawzall that's going to help me rip out the ugly old kitchen
> and replace it with something functional. It's the best kitchen tool I
> can imagine.
> Cam

Ah, Turkey Carving 101!



--
Wayne Boatwright Õ¿Õ¬
________________________________________

Okay, okay, I take it back! UnScrew you!

In article >,
"D.Currie" > wrote:

> I was just thinking about some of the things that I use regularly that I
> thought at first were stupid, useless, or gimmicky, but now I'd have a hard
> time living without.
>
> Prime example is my microwave. When I first heard about them, I thought they
> were insane. Why bother? Okay, I don't actually "cook": much in the mw, but
> I use it all the time for reheating things, and sometimes for thawing. Some
> veggies get cooked in there, just because I run out of burner space. And
> I'll admit to cooking winter squash in there. I'd miss it if it disappeared.

Mom was never happy about the concept of microwaves either, until we got
one. Now we feel so lost without one that if one croaks, I will use the
credit card to make sure we have a new one within 24 hours. ;-)

I don't use it a lot for cooking, just re-heating but it sure beats the
hell out of trying to warm up leftovers using the stove. It's also great
for heating water and melting cheese, and making lemon butter.

And for quick thawing.

>
> Gloves are another thing. Rubber gloves, latex gloves; whatever. I don't
> think food is "icky" and I never saw the sense in using rubber gloves for
> washing dishes or handling food, but lately I've been battling a little rash
> on my hands, and I've taken to wearing gloves when I'm working in the
> kitchen. Seems to be helping while I narrow down the exact cause. Using
> gloves while handling dough is kind of weird, so I just bought some fabric
> "dough gloves" which I never would have bought otherwise. They work. I don't
> know if I'll continue using them forever, but for now, they're a keeper.

I _hate_ mixing ground meat with my hands but it's really the only way.
Latex gloves that I purchase by the box are a godsend for that chore,
and indespensible when working with hot peppers. ;-)

I also use them to protect my hands when using harsh cleaners such as
muriatic acid. I double glove for that and wear a gas mask. Those masks
used to be cheap prior to 9-11. :-( I bought a brand new Israeli gas
mask for $25.00 off of ebay and $5.00 for extra filters prior to that
date. After that, you were lucky to be able to get one for a bid of
$150.00.

I use it to clean the bathtub with acid and it works well. My bathroom
has lousy ventilation, and this is Texas with ultra-hard water. The
water comes from underground limestone caves.

>
> Electric meat slicer. Yeah, who needs a meat slicer if you have a sharp
> knife? This isn't something I use every day, but when I have a beef roast
> and I want thin slices for sandwiches or Italian beef this thing is great.
> Or for nice even slices of anything. Bread, cheese....Yes, I still slice
> things by hand a lot of the time, especially when it's small quantities, but
> this is a nice thing to have on hand when I need it.

After a very, very serious cut to my fingers, I now use a cheese board
for slicing cheese. It's just a wire and gives you ultimate "thin"
control. I use a knife for everything else. Electric slicers are still
not something I use.

My very sharp cleaver can slice meat paper thin with care.

>
> On the other hand, I've gone though so many cheese grating devices in my
> time...this must be my major impulse-buy weakness. I was cleaning out
> kitchen gadgets a while back, and I got rid of quite a few grating devices
> that just didn't do the job. I had rotary graters and box graters, and all
> sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
> which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
> figured out what I liked for the small jobs.

<lol> I have a nice tower grater that works for various things, I mostly
use it for fresh ginger. I have a rotary grater for carrots etc. If I
need grated cheese, I buy it PRE-GRATED! It's the same price as block
cheese so why not? It freezes well and I mostly use it for cooking so
texture is not an issue.

>
> So...what things to you have that you found out were really wonderful and/or
> terrible?

I used to hate garlic presses until I found the right one. :-)
Now I swear by it.

>
> Donna
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

In article .com>,
wrote:

> > So...what things to you have that you found out were
> > really wonderful and/or terrible?
>
> Since I'm tagged as the cook among my friends -- though I only do it
> because otherwise I'd *starve* -- I get cooking paraphernalia as gifts.
> I never wanted a microplaner, but I'm reasonably glad I got one,
> though I've only used it like four times for nutmeg.
>
> On the other hand, I've got this weird little thing and I'm not even
> sure what it's for. It's like a very small handheld grinder: turning
> a crank turns a little spiky wheel that forces *something* down into
> some little parallel blades and then out.
>
> But what?
>
> As I recall, I was told it was an herb chopper, but for the life of me
> I can't figure out what herb. I wouldn't put rosemary in the thing,
> for example -- or thyme, or anything with a stem. Even assuming it
> could handle basil, I think it'd just rip it into miscellaneous shapes
> rather than nicely chop it.
>
> Anyway, anybody have an idea of what I'm talking about? Obviously I
> don't.
>

A jpeg would help. :-)
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

In article >,
Melba's Jammin' > wrote:

> In article >,
> "D.Currie" > wrote:
>
> > sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
> > which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
> > figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
>
> And that would be what?

Condoms?
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

In article >,
OmManiPadmeOmelet > wrote:

> In article >,
> Melba's Jammin' > wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > "D.Currie" > wrote:
> >
> > > sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
> > > which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
> > > figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
> >
> > And that would be what?
>
> Condoms?

Huh? I don't get it.
--
-Barb
<www.jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 3-15-06, Sam I Am! Hamantaschen and
Peanut Butter cookies for Grandpa.
"If it's not worth doing to excess, it's not worth doing at all."

In article >,
Melba's Jammin' > wrote:

> > > > I
> > > > figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
> > >
> > > And that would be what?
> >
> > Condoms?
>
> Huh? I don't get it.


Nevermind... ;-)
I'm in a bitchy mood today and very, very short on sleep.

I think I'd better quite posting and go to bed.

'night!
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

"D.Currie" > wrote in message
...
>I was just thinking about some of the things that I use regularly that I
>thought at first were stupid, useless, or gimmicky, but now I'd have a hard
>time living without.
>

Just thought of another thing I wouldn't want to live without -- my pressure
cooker. Never thought I'd need one until I learned how long it takes to cook
things like tough stew meat or dried beans at high altitude. I don't mind
having something simmering all day, but when it simmers all day and it's
still not done and I have to put it away for the night and keep cooking it
the next day, that's a bit much.

Donna

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

Great thread!

> In article >,
> "D.Currie" > wrote:
>
>
>>I was just thinking about some of the things that I use regularly that I
>>thought at first were stupid, useless, or gimmicky, but now I'd have a hard
>>time living without.
>>
>>Prime example is my microwave. When I first heard about them, I thought they
>>were insane. Why bother? Okay, I don't actually "cook": much in the mw, but
>>I use it all the time for reheating things, and sometimes for thawing. Some
>>veggies get cooked in there, just because I run out of burner space. And
>>I'll admit to cooking winter squash in there. I'd miss it if it disappeared.
>
>
> Mom was never happy about the concept of microwaves either, until we got
> one. Now we feel so lost without one that if one croaks, I will use the
> credit card to make sure we have a new one within 24 hours. ;-)
>
> I don't use it a lot for cooking, just re-heating but it sure beats the
> hell out of trying to warm up leftovers using the stove. It's also great
> for heating water and melting cheese, and making lemon butter.

Ours is used for re-heating and defrosting. I wouldn't personally
replace it but when I complained over a problem with ours, DH went out
and bought a new one. It has a lot of bells and whistles on it so I
might experiment a little with cooking.

>
> And for quick thawing.
>
>
>>Gloves are another thing. Rubber gloves, latex gloves; whatever. I don't
>>think food is "icky" and I never saw the sense in using rubber gloves for
>>washing dishes or handling food, but lately I've been battling a little rash
>>on my hands, and I've taken to wearing gloves when I'm working in the
>>kitchen. Seems to be helping while I narrow down the exact cause. Using
>>gloves while handling dough is kind of weird, so I just bought some fabric
>>"dough gloves" which I never would have bought otherwise. They work. I don't
>>know if I'll continue using them forever, but for now, they're a keeper.
>
>
> I _hate_ mixing ground meat with my hands but it's really the only way.
> Latex gloves that I purchase by the box are a godsend for that chore,
> and indespensible when working with hot peppers. ;-)
>

I use those too! They are really nice when processing tomatoes and
peaches too for preventing your nails getting stained.

> I also use them to protect my hands when using harsh cleaners such as
> muriatic acid. I double glove for that and wear a gas mask. Those masks
> used to be cheap prior to 9-11. :-( I bought a brand new Israeli gas
> mask for $25.00 off of ebay and $5.00 for extra filters prior to that
> date. After that, you were lucky to be able to get one for a bid of
> $150.00.
>
> I use it to clean the bathtub with acid and it works well. My bathroom
> has lousy ventilation, and this is Texas with ultra-hard water. The
> water comes from underground limestone caves.
>
>
>>Electric meat slicer. Yeah, who needs a meat slicer if you have a sharp
>>knife? This isn't something I use every day, but when I have a beef roast
>>and I want thin slices for sandwiches or Italian beef this thing is great.
>>Or for nice even slices of anything. Bread, cheese....Yes, I still slice
>>things by hand a lot of the time, especially when it's small quantities, but
>>this is a nice thing to have on hand when I need it.
>
>
> After a very, very serious cut to my fingers, I now use a cheese board
> for slicing cheese. It's just a wire and gives you ultimate "thin"
> control. I use a knife for everything else. Electric slicers are still
> not something I use.

I use a mandolin.

>
> My very sharp cleaver can slice meat paper thin with care.

I have nice knives but not a cleaver. It's on my kitchen wish list
>
>
>>On the other hand, I've gone though so many cheese grating devices in my
>>time...this must be my major impulse-buy weakness. I was cleaning out
>>kitchen gadgets a while back, and I got rid of quite a few grating devices
>>that just didn't do the job. I had rotary graters and box graters, and all
>>sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
>>which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
>>figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
>
>
> <lol> I have a nice tower grater that works for various things, I mostly
> use it for fresh ginger. I have a rotary grater for carrots etc. If I
> need grated cheese, I buy it PRE-GRATED! It's the same price as block
> cheese so why not? It freezes well and I mostly use it for cooking so
> texture is not an issue.

I don't buy pre-grated. I have 4 types of graters - food processor,
hand-held rotary, hand-held straight, and box grater. I use the food
processor for large amounts of grated cheese. The rotary grater is
mainly for fresh parmesan. The hand held is for when I only need a very
small amount of grated cheese. The box grater was the worst grater
getting used to. I managed to take off the top of my thumb knuckle so
for a long time that grater hung on the shelf. I think I have finally
mastered it though so use it more often now being very careful to keep
my fingers out of the way.
>
>
>>So...what things to you have that you found out were really wonderful and/or
>>terrible?
>
>
> I used to hate garlic presses until I found the right one. :-)
> Now I swear by it.

I love my garlic press. It is ss and does a nice job while fitting my
hand well. My first one was plastic and not worth a hoot!
>
>
>>Donna

"Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "D.Currie" > wrote:
>
>> sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
>> which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
>> figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
>
> And that would be what?

The Zyliss with the big drums is great for grating softer cheeses, which I
always thought were a pain to do by hand. Hard cheeses I use the Zyliss or
one of the flat microplane graters, depending on what type of grating I want
to do.

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

> In article .com>,
> wrote:
>
>
>>>So...what things to you have that you found out were
>>>really wonderful and/or terrible?
>>
>>Since I'm tagged as the cook among my friends -- though I only do it
>>because otherwise I'd *starve* -- I get cooking paraphernalia as gifts.
>> I never wanted a microplaner, but I'm reasonably glad I got one,
>>though I've only used it like four times for nutmeg.
>>
>>On the other hand, I've got this weird little thing and I'm not even
>>sure what it's for. It's like a very small handheld grinder: turning
>>a crank turns a little spiky wheel that forces *something* down into
>>some little parallel blades and then out.
>>

That sounds like a rotary grinder. Does it look like this or similar?
http://www.klinq.com/details.asp?mtc...&prodID=106444

>>But what?
>>
>>As I recall, I was told it was an herb chopper, but for the life of me
>>I can't figure out what herb. I wouldn't put rosemary in the thing,
>>for example -- or thyme, or anything with a stem. Even assuming it
>>could handle basil, I think it'd just rip it into miscellaneous shapes
>>rather than nicely chop it.
>>
>>Anyway, anybody have an idea of what I'm talking about? Obviously I
>>don't.
>>
>
>
> A jpeg would help. :-)

Yep

In article >,
~patches~ > wrote:

> OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:
>
> Great thread!

I agree... :-)

>
> > In article >,
> > "D.Currie" > wrote:
> >
> >
> >>I was just thinking about some of the things that I use regularly that I
> >>thought at first were stupid, useless, or gimmicky, but now I'd have a hard
> >>time living without.
> >>
> >>Prime example is my microwave. When I first heard about them, I thought
> >>they
> >>were insane. Why bother? Okay, I don't actually "cook": much in the mw, but
> >>I use it all the time for reheating things, and sometimes for thawing. Some
> >>veggies get cooked in there, just because I run out of burner space. And
> >>I'll admit to cooking winter squash in there. I'd miss it if it
> >>disappeared.
> >
> >
> > Mom was never happy about the concept of microwaves either, until we got
> > one. Now we feel so lost without one that if one croaks, I will use the
> > credit card to make sure we have a new one within 24 hours. ;-)
> >
> > I don't use it a lot for cooking, just re-heating but it sure beats the
> > hell out of trying to warm up leftovers using the stove. It's also great
> > for heating water and melting cheese, and making lemon butter.
>
> Ours is used for re-heating and defrosting. I wouldn't personally
> replace it but when I complained over a problem with ours, DH went out
> and bought a new one. It has a lot of bells and whistles on it so I
> might experiment a little with cooking.

It's actually not too bad for steaming veggies if you do it right.

The one thing I do cook in it 100% of the time is corn on the cob. Do
nothing to it! Leave it in the husk silk intact. 5 minutes for 2 ears
and add a bit for more. I never try to cook more than 4 at a time and I
do that many for 10 minutes.

Deeee-licious!

The ONLY meat I will cook in it is chicken and that will always be with
some sort of dressing or sauce and in an enclosed corningware. I like
cooking chicken thighs with Kraft original BBQ sauce. ;-d

I really do not cook in it that often tho' except for corn.

Oh yeah, popcorn too. <G>

>
> >
> > And for quick thawing.
> >
> >
> >>Gloves are another thing. Rubber gloves, latex gloves; whatever. I don't
> >>think food is "icky" and I never saw the sense in using rubber gloves for
> >>washing dishes or handling food, but lately I've been battling a little
> >>rash
> >>on my hands, and I've taken to wearing gloves when I'm working in the
> >>kitchen. Seems to be helping while I narrow down the exact cause. Using
> >>gloves while handling dough is kind of weird, so I just bought some fabric
> >>"dough gloves" which I never would have bought otherwise. They work. I
> >>don't
> >>know if I'll continue using them forever, but for now, they're a keeper.
> >
> >
> > I _hate_ mixing ground meat with my hands but it's really the only way.
> > Latex gloves that I purchase by the box are a godsend for that chore,
> > and indespensible when working with hot peppers. ;-)
> >
>
> I use those too! They are really nice when processing tomatoes and
> peaches too for preventing your nails getting stained.

That's important too in my line of work. Nobody wants their blood drawn
by someone with stained fingernails and you can see that right thru
gloves. :-(

There are other things about using them for working with peppers,
especially if you are a guy. <g>

>
> > I also use them to protect my hands when using harsh cleaners such as
> > muriatic acid. I double glove for that and wear a gas mask. Those masks
> > used to be cheap prior to 9-11. :-( I bought a brand new Israeli gas
> > mask for $25.00 off of ebay and $5.00 for extra filters prior to that
> > date. After that, you were lucky to be able to get one for a bid of
> > $150.00.
> >
> > I use it to clean the bathtub with acid and it works well. My bathroom
> > has lousy ventilation, and this is Texas with ultra-hard water. The
> > water comes from underground limestone caves.
> >
> >
> >>Electric meat slicer. Yeah, who needs a meat slicer if you have a sharp
> >>knife? This isn't something I use every day, but when I have a beef roast
> >>and I want thin slices for sandwiches or Italian beef this thing is great.
> >>Or for nice even slices of anything. Bread, cheese....Yes, I still slice
> >>things by hand a lot of the time, especially when it's small quantities,
> >>but
> >>this is a nice thing to have on hand when I need it.
> >
> >
> > After a very, very serious cut to my fingers, I now use a cheese board
> > for slicing cheese. It's just a wire and gives you ultimate "thin"
> > control. I use a knife for everything else. Electric slicers are still
> > not something I use.
>
> I use a mandolin.

For cheese? Hmmmmmm... Imho the wire "blade" on a cheese board is easier
and this one is little. About 6" x 10" so it does not take up a
significant amount of storage space.

Mandolins scare me. <G> Hell, I just noted a bit ago that I grated one
of my fingers grating fresh ginger for today's lunch. ;-P Not badly, but
it's annoying.

I cut up a white onion and pressed an entire head of garlic after
peeling it, and chopped up the remains of a head of celery and sautee'd
that in butter and EVOO. Once it was well wilted and the onions started
to brown, I added salt free lemon pepper, a large package of quartered
fresh shitake mushrooms and 1/2 of a bag of baby spinach leaves. Mixed
that in well with my aromatics.

Once the mushrooms and spinach were done, I grilled some more marinated
rib eye steaks that I got on sale and served it with the
spinach/mushroom mix and some leftover gingered carrots and onions I
made a couple of days ago.

It was great and dad ate those damned leftover carrots first... <lol>
He says he loves carrots so I cook the silly things for him, but he eats
better if I make up a plate! <sigh>

If I don't plate stuff, leftovers sit and he'll eat turkey spam
sandwiches or those damned wal-mart fried chickens.

What's up with that??????


>
> >
> > My very sharp cleaver can slice meat paper thin with care.
>
> I have nice knives but not a cleaver. It's on my kitchen wish list

Oy! Seriously, I can get you a decent one at my local oriental market. I
recommend the big heavy KIWI brand one for $9.99.

I'll mail it to ya, Priority mail is currently running $4.05.
Let me know, I'm willing and at no profit. ;-)

I won't be without it! Holds an edge like you would not believe for a
supposedly "cheap" knife.

> >
> >
> >>On the other hand, I've gone though so many cheese grating devices in my
> >>time...this must be my major impulse-buy weakness. I was cleaning out
> >>kitchen gadgets a while back, and I got rid of quite a few grating devices
> >>that just didn't do the job. I had rotary graters and box graters, and all
> >>sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
> >>which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
> >>figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
> >
> >
> > <lol> I have a nice tower grater that works for various things, I mostly
> > use it for fresh ginger. I have a rotary grater for carrots etc. If I
> > need grated cheese, I buy it PRE-GRATED! It's the same price as block
> > cheese so why not? It freezes well and I mostly use it for cooking so
> > texture is not an issue.
>
> I don't buy pre-grated. I have 4 types of graters - food processor,
> hand-held rotary, hand-held straight, and box grater. I use the food
> processor for large amounts of grated cheese. The rotary grater is
> mainly for fresh parmesan. The hand held is for when I only need a very
> small amount of grated cheese. The box grater was the worst grater
> getting used to. I managed to take off the top of my thumb knuckle so
> for a long time that grater hung on the shelf. I think I have finally
> mastered it though so use it more often now being very careful to keep
> my fingers out of the way.

Why won't you buy pre-grated?
Here, the 2 lb. bags of pre-shredded are the same price per lb. as the 1
and 2 lb. brick cheese.

It freezes well so won't go moldy. I get the Mozarella, Monterey jack,
Chedder and Colby-Jack. Lasts forever and works great!

Saves time too.

> >
> >
> >>So...what things to you have that you found out were really wonderful
> >>and/or
> >>terrible?
> >
> >
> > I used to hate garlic presses until I found the right one. :-)
> > Now I swear by it.
>
> I love my garlic press. It is ss and does a nice job while fitting my
> hand well. My first one was plastic and not worth a hoot!

Mom and dad had that wedge shaped POS that never worked for me. I used
to just grate, or mince garlic with a chef's knife or cleaver.

I was going thru my Aunt's old stuff a few months ago cleaning out the
storage shed (she is dead and I ended up with all her stuff) and found a
little cylinder shaped one that looks like an eensy little potato ricer.

That thing is the gods! :-D
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

Reg wrote:

> Old Mother Ashby wrote:
>
>> I've got a mezzaluna, one of those curved blades with a handle at
>> each end that is used for chopping herbs. My mother gave it to me.
>> You can chop one-handed, which I find very helpful.
>
>
> What's your opinion of the mezzaluna? Is it better/faster/easier
> than using a chef's knife? I noticed Nigella Lawson uses one.
>
I like it because my right hand isn't all that functional so I'm always
on the lookout for things that can be used one-handed. I think that you
probably have more control chopping herbs the traditional way, which I
think might also be faster if you've mastered the technique. You've only
got to compare Nigella and Jamie in action.

Christine

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" > wrote in message
...

>
>>
>> Gloves are another thing. Rubber gloves, latex gloves; whatever. I don't
>> think food is "icky" and I never saw the sense in using rubber gloves for
>> washing dishes or handling food, but lately I've been battling a little
>> rash
>> on my hands, and I've taken to wearing gloves when I'm working in the
>> kitchen. Seems to be helping while I narrow down the exact cause. Using
>> gloves while handling dough is kind of weird, so I just bought some
>> fabric
>> "dough gloves" which I never would have bought otherwise. They work. I
>> don't
>> know if I'll continue using them forever, but for now, they're a keeper.
>
> I _hate_ mixing ground meat with my hands but it's really the only way.
> Latex gloves that I purchase by the box are a godsend for that chore,
> and indespensible when working with hot peppers. ;-)

Last time I ordered goves, I bought a box each of latex, vinyl, and nitrile.
I've got to say that I'm leaning toward the nitrile ones. they're a little
more expensive, but I've found that I can take them off and put them on
again pretty easily.

And now that I've gotten used to using them, I'm finding all sorts of
additional benefits. Like if you've got that little cut and you're peeling
tomatoes or squeezing lemons, you aren't putting acid in the wound. And you
don't have to worry about handling peppers or getting that opnion or garlic
smell out of your hands.


>>
>> Electric meat slicer. Yeah, who needs a meat slicer if you have a sharp
>> knife? This isn't something I use every day, but when I have a beef roast
>> and I want thin slices for sandwiches or Italian beef this thing is
>> great.
>> Or for nice even slices of anything. Bread, cheese....Yes, I still slice
>> things by hand a lot of the time, especially when it's small quantities,
>> but
>> this is a nice thing to have on hand when I need it.
>
> After a very, very serious cut to my fingers, I now use a cheese board
> for slicing cheese. It's just a wire and gives you ultimate "thin"
> control. I use a knife for everything else. Electric slicers are still
> not something I use.

I'd never use this thing without the guard, but it's great when I'm doing
quanities of something. One or two sandwiches, I'd slice by hand. But I just
sliced most of a beef roast into thin, even slices, and it was a breeze.

>
> My very sharp cleaver can slice meat paper thin with care.

I can do thin slices with a knife, but then I have to be neat and careful
and it takes a lot more time. The slicer really speeds things up a lot.

>
>>
>> On the other hand, I've gone though so many cheese grating devices in my
>> time...this must be my major impulse-buy weakness. I was cleaning out
>> kitchen gadgets a while back, and I got rid of quite a few grating
>> devices
>> that just didn't do the job. I had rotary graters and box graters, and
>> all
>> sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
>> which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
>> figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
>
> <lol> I have a nice tower grater that works for various things, I mostly
> use it for fresh ginger. I have a rotary grater for carrots etc. If I
> need grated cheese, I buy it PRE-GRATED! It's the same price as block
> cheese so why not? It freezes well and I mostly use it for cooking so
> texture is not an issue.

There's a cheese import warehouse in town and they've got a huge variety of
interesting cheeses. The only way to buy is in chunks. No slices, no
pre-grated.


>
>>
>> So...what things to you have that you found out were really wonderful
>> and/or
>> terrible?
>
> I used to hate garlic presses until I found the right one. :-)
> Now I swear by it.
>

I've never found one that I like. I usually just bash and chop by hand. So,
which one works for you?

Donna

In article >,
"D.Currie" > wrote:

> "Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article >,
> > "D.Currie" > wrote:
> >
> >> sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
> >> which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
> >> figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
> >
> > And that would be what?
>
> The Zyliss with the big drums is great for grating softer cheeses, which I
> always thought were a pain to do by hand. Hard cheeses I use the Zyliss or
> one of the flat microplane graters, depending on what type of grating I want
> to do.

Thanks. I don't use a lot of cheese and often buy bagged and already
shredded for when I do. If I shred it myself, I use a flat grater with
about 1/4" holes. It has a handle and also serves at a struhadlo for
making halushky - got it at Target.
--
-Barb
<www.jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 3-15-06, Sam I Am! Hamantaschen and
Peanut Butter cookies for Grandpa.
"If it's not worth doing to excess, it's not worth doing at all."

D.Currie wrote on 15 Mar 2006 in rec.food.cooking

> Or for nice even slices of anything. Bread, cheese....Yes,

And cabbage for slaw.

--
-Alan

On 2006-03-15, OmManiPadmeOmelet > wrote:

> muriatic acid. I double glove for that and wear a gas mask.

Does the gas mask do the job? Many gas masks and resperators have
filters for specific gases/particulates. You many want to check for
that particular gas.

> water comes from underground limestone caves.

I hadn't thought of muriatic acid. That would probably be perfect for
the ring from Hell that's getting the upper hand in my toilet.

nb

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:30:17 -0700, "D.Currie" >
wrote:

>I was just thinking about some of the things that I use regularly that I
>thought at first were stupid, useless, or gimmicky, but now I'd have a hard
>time living without.
>Donna

A friend gifted me with a 1q (?) mini crock-pot.
At first I thought "garage sale".

But after a few experiments, I get;
perfect barley, perfect brown rice, perfect beans...
No boil-overs, no pot-watching.

How did I ever live without it ?



<rj>

In article >,
"D.Currie" > wrote:

> "OmManiPadmeOmelet" > wrote in message
> ...
>
> >
> >>
> >> Gloves are another thing. Rubber gloves, latex gloves; whatever. I don't
> >> think food is "icky" and I never saw the sense in using rubber gloves for
> >> washing dishes or handling food, but lately I've been battling a little
> >> rash
> >> on my hands, and I've taken to wearing gloves when I'm working in the
> >> kitchen. Seems to be helping while I narrow down the exact cause. Using
> >> gloves while handling dough is kind of weird, so I just bought some
> >> fabric
> >> "dough gloves" which I never would have bought otherwise. They work. I
> >> don't
> >> know if I'll continue using them forever, but for now, they're a keeper.
> >
> > I _hate_ mixing ground meat with my hands but it's really the only way.
> > Latex gloves that I purchase by the box are a godsend for that chore,
> > and indespensible when working with hot peppers. ;-)
>
> Last time I ordered goves, I bought a box each of latex, vinyl, and nitrile.
> I've got to say that I'm leaning toward the nitrile ones. they're a little
> more expensive, but I've found that I can take them off and put them on
> again pretty easily.
>
> And now that I've gotten used to using them, I'm finding all sorts of
> additional benefits. Like if you've got that little cut and you're peeling
> tomatoes or squeezing lemons, you aren't putting acid in the wound. And you
> don't have to worry about handling peppers or getting that opnion or garlic
> smell out of your hands.

Mmm, that's not a bad idea.
I've been cooking with a LOT more fresh garlic lately now that I've
found those monster cloves and My Thanh for $1.49 per lb. I've been
needing it for it's antibiotic properties. Just been peeling it
carefully, then pressing it.

A lot of people are developing allergies to latex, so nitrile is not a
bad idea.

>
>
> >>
> >> Electric meat slicer. Yeah, who needs a meat slicer if you have a sharp
> >> knife? This isn't something I use every day, but when I have a beef roast
> >> and I want thin slices for sandwiches or Italian beef this thing is
> >> great.
> >> Or for nice even slices of anything. Bread, cheese....Yes, I still slice
> >> things by hand a lot of the time, especially when it's small quantities,
> >> but
> >> this is a nice thing to have on hand when I need it.
> >
> > After a very, very serious cut to my fingers, I now use a cheese board
> > for slicing cheese. It's just a wire and gives you ultimate "thin"
> > control. I use a knife for everything else. Electric slicers are still
> > not something I use.
>
> I'd never use this thing without the guard, but it's great when I'm doing
> quanities of something. One or two sandwiches, I'd slice by hand. But I just
> sliced most of a beef roast into thin, even slices, and it was a breeze.

We have a large box mandolin somewhere with 3 blades. Mom used to to
make 'kraut. I probably have a small one somewhere but for quantities,
I have one of those rotary thingies that I posted awhile back with 5
barrels, one of which is a fine slicer. :-)

>
> >
> > My very sharp cleaver can slice meat paper thin with care.
>
> I can do thin slices with a knife, but then I have to be neat and careful
> and it takes a lot more time. The slicer really speeds things up a lot.

I ran across an ancient meat slicer and it's out in "excess stuff"
storage on the sun porch but I know where it is. If I buy hams anymore,
I have them sliced before I leave the store.

This one is not electric, it's crank, but oh man does that thing have
some memories!!!! It's as old as I am.

>
> >
> >>
> >> On the other hand, I've gone though so many cheese grating devices in my
> >> time...this must be my major impulse-buy weakness. I was cleaning out
> >> kitchen gadgets a while back, and I got rid of quite a few grating
> >> devices
> >> that just didn't do the job. I had rotary graters and box graters, and
> >> all
> >> sorts of stupid gadgets. For big jobs, my kitchenaid has a grater device
> >> which does a good job, but I went through a lot of hand graters before I
> >> figured out what I liked for the small jobs.
> >
> > <lol> I have a nice tower grater that works for various things, I mostly
> > use it for fresh ginger. I have a rotary grater for carrots etc. If I
> > need grated cheese, I buy it PRE-GRATED! It's the same price as block
> > cheese so why not? It freezes well and I mostly use it for cooking so
> > texture is not an issue.
>
> There's a cheese import warehouse in town and they've got a huge variety of
> interesting cheeses. The only way to buy is in chunks. No slices, no
> pre-grated.

Bummer!

>
>
> >
> >>
> >> So...what things to you have that you found out were really wonderful
> >> and/or
> >> terrible?
> >
> > I used to hate garlic presses until I found the right one. :-)
> > Now I swear by it.
> >
>
> I've never found one that I like. I usually just bash and chop by hand. So,
> which one works for you?
>
> Donna

It's a cylinder type. Looks like an itty bitty potato ricer.
I have to go to work here in a minute, but I'll take a post a picture.
:-) It really is the gods!


>
>
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

In article >,
notbob > wrote:

> On 2006-03-15, OmManiPadmeOmelet > wrote:
>
> > muriatic acid. I double glove for that and wear a gas mask.
>
> Does the gas mask do the job? Many gas masks and resperators have
> filters for specific gases/particulates. You many want to check for
> that particular gas.

This one is made in Israel. The filters are made for chemical warfare
and I bought 1/2 a dozen when I bought the mask. :-) Yeah, it does the
job as long as you get a proper face seal.

If we ever get attacked, I'm all set. <G>

>
> > water comes from underground limestone caves.
>
> I hadn't thought of muriatic acid. That would probably be perfect for
> the ring from Hell that's getting the upper hand in my toilet.
>
> nb

Just BE CAREFUL!

That stuff is very strong and I've seen more than one patient in the ER
that got careless with it... or mixed it with bleach. :-( Creates a very
deadly gas that causes serious lung damage very quickly...

You can also burn the hell out of yourself with it and it melts
polyester clothing. I've used it to clean quartz crystals from the
crystal mines in Arkansas, and I ruined one pair of spandex pants before
learning that.

Now that most of the terrorism scare is over, you might be able to snag
a real gas mask for a decent price again. I've not checked prices for
quite awhile.

Muriatic is strong Hydrochloric acid...
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson