Mandoline

A mandoline used for slicing a carrot

A mandoline (/ˌmændəˈliːn, -ˈlɪn/ or /ˈmændəlɪn/;[1][2] French pronunciation: ​[mɑ̃dolin]) is a cooking utensil used for slicing and for cutting juliennes; with suitable attachments, it can make crinkle-cuts. Its name is derived from the wrist-motion of a skilled user of a mandolin, which resembles that of a player of the musical instrument mandolin.

Design

A mandoline consists of two parallel working surfaces, one of which can be adjusted in height.[3] A food item is slid along the adjustable surface until it reaches a blade mounted on the fixed surface, slicing it and letting it fall.

Other blades perpendicular to the main blade are often mounted so that the slice is cut into strips. The mandoline juliennes in several widths and thicknesses. It also makes slices, waffle cuts and crinkle cuts, and dices firm vegetables and fruits.

With a mandoline, slices are uniform in thickness,[4] which is important with foods that are deep-fried or baked (e.g. potato chips), as well as for presentation. Slices can be very thin, and be made very quickly, with significantly less skill and effort than would be required if cutting with a knife or other blade.[4]

Operation

A mandoline is used by running a piece of food (with some protection for fingers) along an adjustable inclined plane into one or more blades. On some models vertical blades cut to produce julienne, or a wavy blade is used that produces crinkle cuts. In these models a quarter turn to the food between passes produces dice and waffle cuts.

See also

  • Kezuriki – Japanese version, used to shave skipjack tuna
  • Grater – produces smaller pieces rather than thin sheets
  • Food processor – chops food using motorisation in multiple ways
  • Microtome – the laboratory-grade equivalent, for much finer slicing thicknesses.

References

  1. ↑ "Mandoline". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  2. ↑ "Mandoline". Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  3. ↑ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mandoline
  4. 1 2 "Mandolines and Slicers". www.fantes.com.
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