Okay, Dawn posted a similar thread, but people are listing their serious tools in hers, like knives and cookware. I'm just looking for gadgets. Do you have a gadget that, even though it might look silly, does the job for you, and you're glad you bought it?

I have two. The first is a different brand, but is similar to the slap chop. It absolutely rocks for making mirepoix, pico de gallo, chopping up nuts, and all sorts of tasks like that. I buy bags of peeled garlic cloves at my local market, and about three minutes after I get them home, I've turned the cloves into minced garlic, which I put in a jar in the fridge. Superior in quality to the store-bought stuff, at a fraction of the price, for just a couple minute's effort.

The other one is a Moulinex hand food processor, I guess you'd call it. Or, a rotary grater? In any event, it came with several disc blades, like a food processor, except instead of being a big, bulky electric thing, it has a hand crank, and a handle that contains a lever that pushes the food down on the blade. It sits on three folding legs, at a perfect height to grind cheese, potatoes and the like into a cereal bowl. I love this thing. It works better and easier than a box grater, doesn't sit and take up counter space, and when I'm done with it I just rinse it and chuck it in the dishwasher.

Both of these things look like silly gadgets, but are almost indispensable to me. What are yours?

Last Christmas my wife bought me a "Magic Bullet" that she saw on TV because well... she's a sucker for infomercials, and thought it would be perfect for me.

I was skeptical at first, but now I find that I LOVE the thing for quick, small jobs instead of breaking out the food processor or blender.

Other than that... my Aero Garden is probably my absolute favorite kitchen gadget. I grow fresh herbs at home for my own home use, but I keep an aero garden in the kitchen with my "essential" herbs. It grows back so fast it's ridiculous.... and they're always at an arms reach.

Yeah, I have a Magic Bullet, and it is a pretty great little tool, used as a mini-prep. I've also been lusting after the Aero Garden.

Anyone else have one of these?

I have a lemon squeezer/juicer (works kind of like a ricer) that works awesome. I can use it one-handed and squeeze out a little or the whole half lemon in a second with barely any effort. I paid 3 bucks for it at a local discount house and I don't know what I'd do without it.

Has anyone else got a Thermomix? That is my all out favourite and I am a gadget freak. My husband bought it for our 25th anniversary (for me - I bought him a coffee maker and I love it. It does everything, even makes bread. Not cheap, but well worth the money. Love to hear if anyone else has one.

I find myself using it alot. Grinding up peppercorns when I need a couple of tablespoons(much faster than using the pepper mill when you need a good quanity) and for grinding up toasted caraway or cumin seeds making garlic paste and crushing a few walnuts or pecans.
Funny how people only associate a mortar and pestle with pharmacuticals. Whenever a guest sees my mortar and pestle the inevitable question "what do you do with that? always follows.

My other gadget would be the Ninja food processor. Others here have mentiond the Magic Bullet but you should have invested your money in the Ninja. Alot more bang for your buck. Comes with 3 sizes of bowls for all various size projects. I bought it initially as a drink maker which is still it's primary function at my house but I find myself using it more often than not for chopping and pureeing. does a great job in making vinagerettes. It does make a frozen drink better than anything else I have seen or tried. One of those few things that live up to it's infomercial hype.

yes my very best gadget tool is a pair of onion goglus but in Naples forida
3 years ago in a cuisine store(kitchen)that use when i have a few onion tu cut

excuse m'y english

Michel

thé word is onion goggle

michel

I got a bench scraper a month ago for cutting dough, but I find and use it every time I chop anything on my cutting board---so, every time I cook. It cleans the board so much more efficiently (and with less danger) than clearing it with my knife.

In terms of more serious tools, I've found the food processor to be invaluable.

I own a Thermomix and it is one of those things that once you have one you cannot live without it, isn't that right Pauline?! Take a look at the website for more info. www.easycooking.ca

Kalayra

Pushing your product on a web site is self serving isn't it?

So versatile and it's famed vortex action means i can finish sauces right in the pan even if its a last minute need.

Plus easy and at hand for salad dressings and the blitzing of herb and spice mixes for pastes, bases to start dishes or whatever.

I've had one for about 2 years, and for certain jobs it is really great. Can't remember the last time I used my stand mixer. I mostly use mine for bread doughs, sauces, pureed soups and risotto. Anything that requires a lot of stirring and precise heat control. Can't say it does everything; I could probably manage without one, and I have no interest in selling it to anyone.

I am trying to find out more about this product. Is it explained in English?

Not sure if I am understanding the question correctly but I did a quick online search and found an English site for the Thermomix: here is the link http://www.vorwerk.com/thermomix/html/thermomix_tm31.html Cheers!

I have a Thermomix and yes I can't stop raving about it! The distributor is in Richmond BC. Take a look at their website www.easycooking.ca. I can tell you more about it if you email me directly.
Cheers!
Kalayra

"www.ukthermomix.com" is an ok website. The company is very fanatical about having people attend one of their demonstrations in person; that's why it's not sold in retail stores, only thru their authorized representatives.

That being said, you can also find stuff on youtube of it being used. I have to say, the demos are kind of fun and interesting.

I have 2 favourite gadgets which I use frequently, the Microplane grater and a braun stick blender (with attachments).

The microplane is great for garlic, ginger, parmesan, nuts, chocolate, citrus zesting. They're sharp though so you gotta watch your fingers.

The Braun stick blender is great for whizzing soups in the pan, making whole egg mayonnaise, rubs/marinades, dips and pureeing.

I use both frequently, they don't take up too much space and I love them for their time saving properties.

I live my stick blender . makes wipped cream in a cup or purees soups in the pot. i have the DeLonghi which has a blade for pots, a mini food processor and a whip.
the other tool I love is my ultimate citrus tool by microplane. it makes fine zest,and makes zest curls in two sizes.

I have two. The second favorite gadget looks way too much like something I had in my misspent youth but is a just a wood smoker. I couldn't see purchase the "smoking gun" so with a lab beaker, some various pipes, tubes and a little keyboard vacuum I have a great smoker I use for adding that little extra zing to all kinds of stuff you couldn't smoke. It's had some good modifications since this photo.
My absolute favorite gadget would be my Sous Vide machine. It qualifies as a gadget because I built it from bits and pieces. The controller was $50 on ebay although some assembly was necessary, the fryer I use as the body and heater for the water bath was $12 at good will.

Smoker: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/110270419189371546483/albums/5479846808085359809/5663198838129513602?hl=en

Sous Vide:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/110270419189371546483/albums/5479846808085359809/5663198839620741106?hl=en

Easily the most used item in my kitchen. Fresh juice every single morning, mixing pie crusts, making dough and pasta, chopping and grating food. It's a wonder device for me.