In urban slang, a ‘tool’ is generally frown upon. Gone are the days when being a ‘tool’ meant being useful. These days it just means you’re… well, a tool! A useless, undesirable, get in the way tool. That’s the way I feel about gadgets, lots of them. I cry laughing when I see all the infomercials on countless gadgets that promise to make your life easier. ‘Cuz, let’s face it, we’re ALL that much of a moron when it comes to slicing or cooking eggs, chopping onions or just using storage containers.
Today, I bring you 2 of my MUST HAVE gadgets, and I don’t own many. But these 2 I would rather not live without, because they ARE tools as tools were originally intended to be.
First, the Garlic Peeler. Under $10 and worth every single penny. I’m not saying you can’t peel garlic without it, or that I pull it out every time I need to peel a clove. What I am saying is that when you need to peel a few cloves at a time, or when you don’t want to end up feeling like you can ward off vampires by your scent, this IS the way to go.
I’ve had mine for at least 5 years now, and when Linz came over for dinner the first time, I used it as part of a magic trick. I’m glad he didn’t think me too silly at the time, but he was impressed by my little tool.
The other prized gadget is my handheld mandolin. I picked this up a year ago? It’s an OXO and it cost me about $20 at Williams Sonoma. I.LOVE.IT! I won’t lie to you. It’s not an item I use on a weekly basis, but it’s already paid for its investment. I use if for plantain chips, to slice potatoes and onions thinly and evenly. It gets a lot of play.
There are other, fancier versions. I imagine the ones that stand on their own would be easier to work with, but I don’t have that much storage space in my kitchen. Quite frankly, my little OXO has 3 blade settings and it does everything I’ve asked it to–and you know how much cooking I do. Proof is in the pudding, or onions, in this case.
My name is Anamaris and I approved this ad (post). 
Cookingly (and apparently sillily) yours,
Anamaris
Comments ( 9 )
How does the garlic thing work? LOL!
J, you put the clove in the tube and roll. Check it out here: http://wp.me/pFzw3-4m
Hi Anamaris, Just stopping by to say I saw your blog being featured on Latina Lista, congratulations!! I'm going to be too, soon. I love your gadgets, specially the slicer, could really come in handy:)
Thanks, Nancy. I received her invitation late Sunday, I replied Monday morning and it was up! Caught me off guard. And I'm sicker than a dog, so I've not been able to take full advantage of the spotlight. Let me know when yours goes up. Also, I will go to BBL to nominate you, just haven't gotten around to it.
I love my garlic press. It's the kind you put a clove in and it squeezes out the minced garlic and leaves behind the papery skin. I squeeze kukui nuts in it too. Kukui oil is the secret of beautiful Hawaiian skin. I have a tree so I have nuts all over the place.
I want beautiful Hawaiian skin, send me some nuts!
You are a trip girl! I don't do many gadgets either. Heck, half the time I can't figure out how to work the darn things. Oh and congrats on the feature, you know I went and checked it out.
i'm not a gadget person, either but i do own a cheap mandoline...love it!! congrats on the feature!!
Thanks, Kathy & Sweet!