47
   

Ask the A2K cooks!

 
 
msolga
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 07:45 pm
@ossobuco,
Quote:
Mebbe I'm sentimental, besides being gadget wary.


You're making (far too much!) sense, osso! Sad
ehBeth
 
  2  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 07:52 pm
@msolga,
http://www.paulsfinest.com/Microplane-Graters-p-1-c-45.html

(you can never have too many Mr. Green )

my current favourite

http://www.paulsfinest.com/files/cache/d4a2584bb84ade9244f4f031ad7aa1db.jpg


If someone needed NEEDED to get me something perfect ... mebbe a set of microplanes (with the safety guard of course - the buggers are sssssssharp)

http://www.paulsfinest.com/files/cache/8038c9b3399314ff264bce1cc6b54369.jpg

http://www.paulsfinest.com/Microplane-Gourmet-7-piece-Set-p-868.html

some cheap/inexpensive ones aren't bad, but I do think it is worth the investment in one or two good ones. At least one good one.

margo
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 07:54 pm
Aha! It's a grater sort of thingy! I was wondering, too!
ehBeth
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 07:57 pm
@margo,
They're based on the planes used for shaving wood. Sharp sharp sharp.

There are grater variants, but I like the ones with the longer shave effect - nice for shaving carrots, potatoes, chocolate, cheeses ... <sigh> I do love my "real" Microplane. It is quite different from the knock-offs.
0 Replies
 
msolga
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 07:59 pm
@ehBeth,
Hmmmmmm ......

These sound great, ehBeth! Especially the "no clog" promise!

How many of the little blighters do you own & what you (mainly) use them for? (Grating cheese, of course, & carrots, & potatoes .....):


Quote:
...... 5 reasons why Microplane graters are superior:

* Razor-sharp teeth cut through even tough fibres with no clogging!
* Ergonomic comfort: fast cutting action and a comfortable soft textured rubber handle make it a pleasure to use.
* Durability: Top quality stainless steel means long-life and razor-sharp edges that stay sharp.
* Versatility: Size, shape, and patented multipurpose blade design mean that a single grater size is much more versatile in what it can process than old-fashioned graters which are more single-purpose.
* Easy cleanup: Just wipe or rinse. Most are dishwasher safe, but as with all sharp precision tools, I don't recommend this... a quick wash in warm soapy water will make them last longer. .......
msolga
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:01 pm
@msolga,
I see you just answered some of my questions as I was typing, ehBeth.

I still want to know how many of these you own, though! Wink
0 Replies
 
ehBeth
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:03 pm
@msolga,
I prefer the shave version to the graters. I particularly like them for veggies that are going into Asian-type soups.

I have one real one - I bought it with a gift certificate I got for winning a Halloween costume contest at work a couple of years back - I decided I should use the funds for something I wanted but wouldn't normally treat myself to. I have a couple of knock-off variants, grater and shaver. All the way from dollar store cheapies to not-cheap but not the real thing. They all work to a certain degree - the real Microplane one works so much more smoothly than any of the others (and really does clean more easily).
ossobuco
 
  2  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:05 pm
@msolga,
To buy..

I've just gotten a great souffle dish from ebay.. well, great to me, better than my old one that I broke just before I moved, while I was doing a lot of packing ... This was my very first ebay purchase.

I've been using a ceramic tile sample for a pizza stone, thanks to ehBeth for saying she knew that could work and it has. But, I might not mind a big composite pizza stone like my old one. Dollars galore now.

What else would I like? Wracks brain. Some really good forged knives, part for the quality, part for the art, part for the sentiment. I know the place, not sure it's still online, will check.

Actually, I'd like a dishwasher. To get a new dishwasher is, besides the money for the appliance, money for redoing the crummy kitchen cabinets - the cabinet and counter cost and the labor that I can't do myself anymore. My dishwasher is my glass storage place. Back in Venice, before the remod, it was where I kept foil, plastic wrap, rolling pins, this and that.


ehBeth
 
  2  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:05 pm
@ehBeth,
oh, and ginger

I've shaved ginger for roast chicken and chicken soup with the Microplane. The knock-offs can't manage the ginger - sort of mush it up - I like the little ginger ribbons I can make.
ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:07 pm
@ehBeth,
I might covet a microplane or two, too.

I bought a set of planes at Yamaguchi's in Sawtelle a long time ago and they've stood me well. Prob not as sharp as the microplanes. Looking back, they had great knives there too.
0 Replies
 
msolga
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:09 pm
@ehBeth,
Quote:
oh, and ginger


95% persuaded in Melbourne! Yes! Very Happy

... but, but, now for that oh so boring question: cost? (Waiting for the inevitable bucket of cold water to descend from the heavens!) Though you did mention less expensive ones ....
ehBeth
 
  2  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:12 pm
@msolga,
The Microplane brand one I have is on sale at the website for about $15 Canajun right now. They range from about $20 - $40 Canadian regularly.

I'd suggest trying out an inexpensive one - then watching for a real Microplane to be on sale somewhere (or win a gift certificate with your Bird in a Tree costume Very Happy and splurge)
msolga
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:19 pm
@ehBeth,
OK, I'm persuaded! (You smooth talkin' devil you! Laughing )

I'm going to start looking around ... in earnest, even!

Quote:
I'd suggest trying out an inexpensive one - then watching for a real Microplane to be on sale somewhere (or win a gift certificate with your Bird in a Tree costume Very Happy and splurge)


I'm gonna have to fully investigate this Bird in a Tree costume thing, ehBeth! Some sort of fancy schmansy home cook's get-up, I suppose? Wink



ehBeth
 
  2  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:28 pm
@msolga,
http://www.getprice.com.au/Microplane-Premium-Classic-Medium-Ribbon-Grater-Gpnc_251--38802877.htm

with $40 Au as the regular price for this one, I'm sure you'll be able to get a better price!

don't forget things like yams that don't like to be cut - the Microplane will take 'em on
msolga
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:30 pm
@ossobuco,
Quote:
To buy..


Quote:
What else would I like? Wracks brain.


Yes. I know, I know, osso!

Quote:
Actually, I'd like a dishwasher. To get a new dishwasher is, besides the money for the appliance, money for redoing the crummy kitchen cabinets - the cabinet and counter cost and the labor that I can't do myself anymore. My dishwasher is my glass storage place. Back in Venice, before the remod, it was where I kept foil, plastic wrap, rolling pins, this and that.


Kitchens cost a small fortune to update, don't they? I don't currently own a dishwasher though & have no plans of getting one. 13 years of drought & water conservation & all that .... Sigh. Though I sure could do with some extra storage space! Mr. Green
msolga
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:34 pm
@ehBeth,
Thanks for all the info, ehBeth.
I think I know just the place in Sydney Road to start looking!
0 Replies
 
ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:34 pm
On the knives, I found them still online. I've given them to people as presents but not bought one myself.
0 Replies
 
ossobuco
 
  2  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:35 pm
On the knives, I found them still online. I've given them to people as presents but not bought one myself.
forged knives
msolga
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:40 pm
Any minute now .... advertisements for Microplanes & forged knives will appear on this very page!
Waiting, waiting .... Wink
0 Replies
 
ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Tue 6 Oct, 2009 08:42 pm
@msolga,
In my whole life I've only had a dishwasher in working order in a house I rented for one month.
The one here passed inspection by making a small whooshing noise, but turned out not to circulate water well (we have hard water, and the DW is old.) I like them when I visit other people's houses - I guess I'd just like the opportunity to check one out. I'd rather have...

a small freezer.
 

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