Why you need a Mandoline
Bron Professional Mandoline
A mandoline is one of those kitchen gadgets that everyone needs, but almost no one has. A mandoline, or mandoline slicer, functions in the exact opposite way that you would normally use a knife to slice. With a mandoline, the cutting blade is held stationary in a cutting plate across which you slide the ingredient to be sliced (such as a carrot, potato, cabbage, etc).
For me the best part about using a mandoline, is that every slice is exactly the same thickness, because the distance between the blade and the plate does not change. In most basic mandolines, the distance between the blade and plate is fixed, while higher quality (professional) models you have the ability to adjust this distance, to make thicker or thinner slices. As sharp as the cutting blade is, all mandolines come with a safety guard (or hand guard) that holds the vegetable in place as you slide it across the main plate, but more importantly protects your fingers as you get to those last few slices.
Being a home chef, you might not have the fine knife skills required to very thinly slice vegetables for a salad, or potatoes if you’re making a gratin or your own potato chips. Or even if you do, it’s hard to beat the speed that you can slice your way through a vegetable with a sharp mandoline. I have actually been able to finely shred an entire head of cabbage (for cole slaw) in just a few minutes.
The other benefit of a mandoline, is that you can change the style of cutting blade from the standard flat blade, to a fluted blade (useful for crinkle cut fries) or a julienne blade (great for vegetable snacks). Some models will also have additional blades for making waffle cuts and shredding.
If you prepare lots of vegetables or potato dishes (excluding mashed) you can definitely benefit from the use of a mandoline. Not only will you be able to shorten your prep time, but all of your cuts will be similar making them cook more evenly.
Interested? check out some of the mandolines you can purchase right now (click on image for in depth description and pricing).
Matfer 15.5 inch Professional Mandoline
Bron 16 inch Super Pro Mandoline
Miu 17.5 inch Mandoline Slicer
OXO 16 inch Mandoline Slicer