Rouxbe

Every christmas or birthday some well meaning person presents you "the cook" with the newest gadget. In my top ten, the garlic press is one of them (I can hear the howls now)

Hi,,,,

I also think that garlic press is the most useless thing in the kitchen .

Dont get me wrong it's a Greber and a great knife. The problem is me, I'm afraid of chipping or breaking it so I dont use it.

Other than myself.....I have used a mandolin my wife bought at one of those home demo sales gigs a few times. I always forget why I haven't used it for six months and once I do I find myself asking...."is that really all it does"?

I happen to like my mandolin. It's easy to use and clean and I get perfect cuts every time. It doesn't have an adjustment for the width of cut so that does make it a bit lame.
Who am I kidding I haven't used it since I bought it. It was the one thing at the hostess party I thought I'd use, having all sort of grand idea's of making perfect julienne cuts to impress guests. Next time I'll buy a salt and pepper shaker set, those I know we'll use.

I can count on one hand how many times I've used my mandolin. It works ok but just to much of a hassle to get it out, set it up, use it and then clean it.

I also have a mandolin, but I rarely use it. Unless I am making french fries and that also is very rarely (even though they are one of my favorite foods). I have to say though, when I do use it, it does the job well.

One of the tools I have that I never use is a chocolate scraper...makes curls etc. never used it.

I'll tell you one tool I use the most...my wine opener! ha ha...best tool invented!!! :-)

I rarely use it because a knife is fast and easy and doesn't require picking little bits of garlic out of any holes with a toothpick. Though I don't use my mandolin often, I love it for specific jobs. When I need a lot of nice thin uniform slices of big things that won't fit down the food processor shoot, it is perfect. When making vegetable terrines, scalloped potatoes, long strips of cucumber, it is the way to go. After owning and using it for years, I just discovered the blade is removable so it can be sharpened! I feel a little silly, but I once again have a razor-sharp blade.

Mom bought it for me five years ago. Whenever braising some form of dead animal my dutch oven is the way to go.

I think it was really meant for people who have either (1) no clue how to cook, or (2) think it saves time. I just don't like the texture of what comes out it is too mushy. Not for me.

I used to use a garlic press. I know, sorry, this was some time ago. I now realize the errors of my ways. My level of respect for garlic and all that it has to offer is now very high, and now it's just me, the garlic, and my knife!

I am fed up with it! Its big, its clumsy, it beeps when it wants and NEVER does toast the way I want it. And anyway, I usually like something melted on or around the toast, so I have decided to use the grill instead in the future. I threw the toaster away today and now have more workspace too!

Although I have a toaster I see what you mean. They sure do take up a lot of space. Mine is a cuisinart one that is pretty good, but it is still just a toaster. I am not really a fan of a big piece of equipment that only does one thing.

Only problem is...I LOVE TOAST! I think that I could potentially live without it if I had a "toaster oven". However I have never had one as they take up even more space...but I am like you....I love things melted on toast. I guess that is part of the reason why I have a panini machine.

Good Luck without the toaster! Happy Melting!

I, too, love toast and things melted on toast. On a weekend I will make either challah or English muffins or multi-grain toast "butter" it with a layer of ripe avocado and put scrambled eggs (loose of course) on top. Then, I place cheese, whatever we are in the mood for bucheron, muenster, goat etc. and put in my microwave which is a multitasker--it grills, bakes, cooks as well as microwaves. I melt the cheese over the eggs, which stay loose, that is essential. And voila, a fab breakfast. Who ever said it wasn't the BEST meal of the day!