Mandolin

I am currently walking around with a prominent large dressing on my thumb (yeah, stupid, I know) from a mandolin accident (she stopped just a couple of slices short and had tossed the guard in the sink, so what's the harm in doing two more 'free hand'....), and we discovered that thumb is not a good component of fritata.

As a result, I am explaining my stupidity several times a day to clients that can't help noticing my dressing, or hearing my 'Ow!" when I forget and hit the space bar with that thumb. I thought one response might amuse you.

Question: Oh, what did you do to your hand?
Answer: It was a mandolin mishap.
Response: I didn't realize you were musical!......

True Love doesn't let me use ours. The scars on my fingers tell the story. We still use it a lot, particularly when we need a lot of thinly sliced potatoes.

Indeed, both kinds of mandolin can be a weapon if you use them improperly....

Sorry for the mishap Bill. Those things scare me, just looking at them. I always use my finger guard, from the start of beginning the slicing process. There is just something about slicing off a piece of one's digit and it flies into the food. You can't find it, and even if you do find it....well you know the rest of the story. Been there and it is not fun.

I bought a really nice box grater, and I use the "one blade" side more or less as a mandoline. But there's no guard. So I bought this cut resistant glove from Williams Sonoma. Have not used it yet but I'm glad it's there in the pantry...

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/microplane-cut-resistant-glove/?pkey=e%7Cglove%7C10%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C6&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

PS this is the grater, also from W-S, which I really like

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/microplane-box-grater/?pkey=e%7Cbox%2Bgrater%7C2%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

I've seen those graters, Frank, and they indeed look great. Given that we have several cheapie box graters, a range of Microplanes, and a mandolin, I have yet to justify getting one. One of these days, though.....

I try to use the hand guard/guide, but if it gets close and I need more tactile control I use a mesh glove (it's good for shucking oysters as well)
For the mandolin, I suggest this (see about 1:30)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T4SaNuxZO8

Oh, yes.

I love my mandolin. I consider it indispensable for dishes such as Sichuan stir-fried shredded beef with celery and carrots. Yes--one with sufficient skill and patience could shred the vegetables with a Chinese cleaver. I don't have that patience. The mandolin does the job with a fraction of the effort and time. But I've put a lot of scores into my thumb/forefingers (blood sometimes being drawn) while using it.

I've always found that using the guard just doesn't cut it (so to speak). So I use my mandolin unguarded. I think I need to get one of those steel-mesh gloves.

But I've found that the excellent result has always justified the temporary scarring of my thumbs.

-Paul W.