Help! Struggling with Using a Mandoline for Recipes

[sprinklesteen]

Hi all!

I'm a brand new consultant, just getting my feet wet. I haven't even held my first show yet - that's next week!

I've been trying to practice recipes, using products, etc. and....(is this okay to say here?) I WANT TO THROW THAT MANDOLINE OUT THE WINDOW!!!!!!!

UGH - what am I doing wrong?? I tried using it to grate the cheese for the garden pizza recipe, and I just wound up with a big mess and headache. My hubby tried it, too, and couldn't get it working properly. I tried pre-freezing the cheese, as suggested, but that didn't help.

I tried searching for a demo video but couldn't find any. I did find one independent review video on YouTube, but even she looked like she was having difficulties. I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I've already decided to not use it at my shows for now, but I know it's a big-ticket item, and would like to include it going forward.

Anyone have any advice??? Please!!!

Thanks!

 

[pckellyd]

It took me a long time to get the hang of the mandoline for cheese. I really like it for veggies though. Try it for the veggies for the pizza. For the cheese, I'd either use the rotary grater or coarse microplane if you have either. If not... either keep practicing or go w/ the preshredded. If it helps to know I've only been using it for cheese for the past 6 months and I've had it for 3 years What I do is take the cheese straight out of the fridge, and I rotate the chunk whenever it starts to tear up... (I also don't use the guard, but that's not EVER something you want to demo.!!)

 

[Brenda.the.chef]

The mandoline is the worst for cheese! When I first got my kit, I struggled too. Finally I just stopped using the protective slider and just grated the cheese that way. Then I bought the rotary grater and it was just as bad, if not worse!When I got some extra cash, I purchased the coarse microplane grater. So, my suggestion is to NOT use the guard on the mandoline and as soon as you can, purchase the coarse microplane grater.

 

[wadesgirl]

I don't use the guard for cheese - I use it just like a block grater.

 

[sprinklesteen]

Thanks for the suggestions. It REALLY helps to know that it's not just me. I was just starting to get into that panic mode! LOL

I'm going to try it for the veggies tonight. I struggled with the cheese for so long that I just couldn't look at it anymore at the time! :grumpy:

 

[wadesgirl]

Thanks for the suggestions. It REALLY helps to know that it's not just me. I was just starting to get into that panic mode! LOL

I'm going to try it for the veggies tonight. I struggled with the cheese for so long that I just couldn't look at it anymore at the time! :grumpy:

Be patient with it! If you can't get it to work, please have your recruiter or director help you out!

 

[LarissaRed123]

As others said, don't use the food holder for cheese. Just grate it the way you would with a normal cheese grater. I usually have great results slicing veggies with it, but you have to make sure that everything is on the tracks correctly.

 

[Chefgailb]

I can't for the life of me slice tomatoes with it. They just smush.
My director suggested that I return it and ask for another one.

 

[KBender295]

The best thing I have found for tomatoes is the green tomato knife. I have not had great luck w either the mandoline or simple slicer for tomatoes.

 

[Brenda.the.chef]

The trick with tomatoes is having very firm ones that are refrigerated. Don't apply much pressure when slicing in the UM or the SS. I rarely have problems

 

[cochef]

The best thing I have found for tomatoes is the green tomato knife. I have not had great luck w either the mandoline or simple slicer for tomatoes.

The Cheese Knife is excellent for tomatoes