When you cook, do you have certain kitchen tools that you feel that cannot cook without? If you end up in another cook’s kitchen, do you feel off-balance without your stuff? Sort of like trying to write with the wrong hand?
I like to have my own tools. I like my cutting boards, my knives, and my wooden spoons. They feel comfortable and familiar in my hands. One of my favorite tools is a flat cheese grater that used to belong to my Great Grandma. It has a fine-size grating section that is perfect for Parmesan or citrus zest. I have a stand up grater that is only a few years old and it doesn’t work anywhere near as well.
Speaking of cheese graters, my Grandma uses this tool that has two feet in front, one in the back, you lift an arm which lifts a lid, put the cheese in a slot, push lid back down, then you turn a wheel and it grates the cheese. Coolest thing ever. It probably dates back to the 50s. I tried to find photo to show you, but no luck. I’d love to get a hold of one of those. My sister and I always wanted to be the one grating the cheese for taco night.
Nigella of the Food Network always uses a Mezzaluna tool on her show. I would love one of those. She uses it in a rocking back and forth motion to chop herbs and nuts. That would come in handy if I was making a batch of my Granola, which uses chopped walnuts and peanuts. I think a Mezzaluna would be a good choice for a chunkier Pesto Sauce, too. I like a rustic texture in food, which is one of the biggest reasons why I will never use a food processor for guacamole. (Ooh! This would work well for chopping avocados, too.)
Kohls has a couple of choices. I like this Mezzaluna with two handles. It looks easy to use, one hand at each side, rocking motion, simple.
Food Network Double Blade Mezzaluna
Regularly $25.99, currently on sale for $20.79
Here’s another choice. This one has one handle and can be washed in the dishwasher.
KitchenAid Mezzaluna
Regularly $15.99, currently on sale for $12.79
Image credit: Kohls