Take note as our Test Kitchen experts explicate how to utilise a mandoline to make quick work of produce prep ( while protecting your digits ) .
With their A-one - knifelike blades that cut in many shapes and sizes , mandoline slicer can seem intimidating for many household cooks . But they are also one of the most efficient ways to slit apples for pies , shave sprout for salads , and cut spuds for perfect potato gratins . So read up and fear not ; these ready to hand tool can be secure once you ’re well - poetise in mandoline slicer 101 . In this complete guide for how to utilize a mandoline slicer , we ’ll share our Test Kitchen ’s techniques and safety tips for using kitchen mandolines , show you the best mandoline slicer you could purchase , plus stunner about recipes using a mandoline .
Andy Lyons
Credit:Andy Lyons
What Is a Kitchen Mandoline, and What Is a Mandoline Used For?
Mandoline slicers ( which you might also see spell out " mandolin " outside of the U.S. ) arekitchen toolsdesigned to fine slice or grate food for thought . Kitchen mandolines can quickly , flawlessly , and uniformly trim firm fruits and vegetables into thin , bite - size airstrip ( julienne ) , slash , and beyond , and they can even slice stiff cheeses .
Mostmandoline slicerscan be adjust to disregard as thin as paper or up to ½-inch slurred , and some models come with an similar blade with a cross - hatch pattern to cut fry - like shapes or waffle design .
The safest and best mandoline slicers have a rubber base to prevent slipping , plus a food holder or guard of some kind to separate your hands from the very sharp blade .
Credit:Jason Donnelly
How to Use a Mandoline Slicer Safely
Regardless of the kitchen mandoline model you choose , it will be easy and safe if you pursue these step :
If your kitchen mandoline did n’t get with a guard , you may grease one’s palms a cut - resistant glove or a freestanding kitchen mandoline guard , if want . Otherwise , be very deliberate as you slice :
As you near the nub of the food you ’re slice , seize a tongue and finish it that way or compost the excess rather than place your fingerbreadth at jeopardy .
The Best Mandoline Slicers You Can Buy
If you want to invest in a mandoline slicer but do n’t have a flock of storage space , a hand - hold mandoline is your best stake . Just be sure to seem for one with a rubber base of some sorting to keep it unchanging as you cut .
V - blade mandoline slicer are ideal to up the ante ; they can slice , of course , and also create wavy cuts , crinkle cuts , Gallic fries , and julienne .
For a professional - level mandoline slicer , taste a modelling like this upscale OXO mandoline . It has 21 setting to dial in the sodding thickness , and it can do all that a V - blade mandoline can do and more — including slice over 100 pounds of murphy far quicker than any other OXO mandoline , according to the brand .
And for the safe kitchen mandoline of them all ( but also the enceinte to put in ) , try a spring - laden stand - up style like this Dash Safe Slice . This features 30 preset cuts of variegate thickness , a food pinch container to keep all slices secure and your parry light , and a shoot to keep fingers far from the brand .
Jason Donnelly
Recipes Using a Mandoline
Now that you ’re an expert at how to utilize a mandoline slicer and which are the salutary mandoline slicer for every job , let ’s dive into some recipes using a mandoline . Beyond using a mandoline to make nestling , did you know that it ’s the key puppet to makehomemade orchard apple tree chips ? you may also use a kitchen mandoline for a wide variety of salads and coleslaw ( Shaved Celery and Mushroom Salad with Pecorino , grilled Swordfish with Fennel - Caper Slaw , Shaved Fennel and Fingerling Potato Salad , Raw Artichoke Salad with Manchego Cheese , for example ) . Or use your mandoline slicer for side dishes like white potato au gratin or ratatouille . Then keep it ready to hand for dessert ! You ’ll never require to make anOld - Fashioned Apple Piewithout this nerveless puppet again .
