One for the cooks.

[Potstubsdustbins]

SWMBO has a little arthritis in her hands but she loves to cook.

I thought a V shaped mandolin might help with preparation.

Can I ask for your thoughts and maybe even your recommendations.

Many thanks.

Potty

[binley100]

My thoughts are......tell her to keep her fingers well clear else it'll get rid of her arthritus and not in a way she wants.......

Seriously tho' I can't get on with a mandolin , I use slicing discs on my processor ......

[veggiechicken]

I've never used one Potty so I goggled and came up with this equipment - What to look for in a mandoline? - Seasoned Advice . The bit about watching your fingertips worried me as did the washing up!
What would SWMBO normally use for slicing veggies? A knife and a board like me - or a food processor?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Thanks Binners,

Yes I know that they can be naughty but have seen several with a holding device which keeps the fingers away from the blades.

Potty

[Potstubsdustbins]

VC,

She normally use's a sharp knife but as her grip lessens I worry she could slip and it would be a hospital job. She actually dropped the knife yesterday whilst chopping courgettes and I thought one of these might help.

Potty

[binley100]

I use the processor cos I slice large amounts at a time and stuff has to be finely sliced and OH gets scared watching me use a knife but I'm not sure if it would be worth the hassle if not a lot was being sliced........

[binley100]

This might be safer than a mandolin.....

Kenwood Compact FP120 1.4 Litre Food Processor, White: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

[veggiechicken]

Its the washing up of all the bits in the food processor that puts me off using it more often. It only comes out if I'm cooking in bulk.
How about some of the Good Grips kitchen tools that they sell in Lakeland and elsewhere that have bigger handles and are easier to hold.

[Two_Sheds]

I thought a V shaped mandolin might help with preparation.

Can I ask for your thoughts

Can you do as much of the prep as possible?

[PyreneesPlot]

I have used them and although you don't need to grip the guard as firmly as a knife it does need to be a solid grip. I too use a food processer for fine slicing
Another thought is how sharp is the knife as a sharp knife doesn't need to be held as tightly as a blunt one.

[zazen999]

Can you do as much of the prep as possible?

I didn't think men were allowed in the general food prep area unless it was a BBQ? I thought their 'bits' fell off if within 20 feet of an 'oven'. So he may have to do the food prep in the front room or shed or something.

[bearded bloke]

I have the old diagonal cut Borner,it is brilliant for slicing & julienne,ALWAYS use the produce slider & wash/rinse immediately after use.

If you really want to be amazed at profit margins put it on finest slice working over a chip pan,see how many crisps you get from a single spud


This one ... Borner Orange Mandoline Food Slicer Made in Germany Sharp Blades w Holder Parts | eBay

[zazen999]

I love my mandoline but it's pretty hard to keep hold of the gripper - I'd say it was harder than using a knife personally; you really need to be firm with it.

Perhaps make room on the surface for a smallish food processor and just suck up the extra washing up.

Although the thoughts of a 'Flying V Mandolin' did make me smile. #rockchickalert

[julesapple]

I would say that an injury from a sharp knife probably wouldn't be as serious as one from a v-shaped mandoline - much easier to stitch a straight line than a v.

The BH is a trained chef and mandolines make him cringe. He's lost count of the number of fingertips - not just his own - that he has seen lost to mandolines.

I use a mandoline occasionally - it's the only thing I have that slices onion rings as finely as I like them sliced to make pickled onion rings. Otherwise, it's my trusty (almost) 30 year old food processor, even though it makes for more washing up. The other gadget that I would never be without is one of these;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-CH18.../dp/B0000C6WPC

Chopping herbs, onions, breadcrumbs, purees - you name it, it's a cinch. A stick blender is another useful gadget for blending.

[bearded bloke]

Did you look at the modern electric jobbies bud ? I quite fancy one of these .....

One Touch Vegetable Slicer: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home


Aussie TV advert ............