The Quirkiest Kitchen Gadgets: From Multi-Bladed Tomato Slicers to Presse Canards
Everyone has that one strange kitchen gadget that they either love or wish they had never purchased. For me, it's the multi-bladed tomato slicer and the presse canard, along with the domestic rice milling machine. Each of these items has a unique story and purpose, making them perfect for sneaky little differences in the kitchen!
The Multi-Bladed Tomato Slicer
My favorite quirky kitchen gadget is the multi-bladed tomato slicer. Sure, it's not exactly exotic, but it's helped me slice tomatoes in a flash! I found mine in an antique store, which made me feel like I was living in the 1940s every time I used it. This flat, paddle-like slicer fits perfectly in any utensil drawer and makes slicing tomatoes a breeze. Once you slice the tomato, you can easily chop the slices into pieces if required.
If you're someone who slices up tomatoes frequently, this tool will quickly become your go-to. Find an old tomato-red or soft-green one, and you'll be charm and functionality all in one! It's the perfect addition to any kitchen, whether you're preparing a quick pasta dish or just want to enjoy fresh tomatoes in a salad.
The Domestic Rice Milling Machine
Another unusual kitchen gadget I have to share is the Iris Oyama Rice Milling Machine. This tool is incredibly practical, as it can turn brown rice into perfectly polished white rice. Freshly milled rice is incredibly delicious, and it's a waste to serve it to your family or guests if it doesn't taste as good as it should.
White rice can lose its flavor over time, but freshly milled rice maintains its unique taste and aroma. This rice milling machine makes it easy to transform plain old grains into fresh, flavorful rice that'll take your dishes to the next level. It's a bit of an investment, but in the end, the results are well worth it. You can find these machines online or in specialized kitchen stores.
The Presse Canard: A Unique Bone Crusher
While the presse canard may not be the most commonly used kitchen gadget, it remains one of the quirkiest. A presse canard is a tool used to crush duck bones in order to extract bone juice, which is then used to make a brown sauce. These machines are rare and expensive, and it's often not worth the cost for a home kitchen. However, when I was a student and couldn't afford a presse canard, I had an idea.
I asked my grandfather, an experienced carpenter, to help me build one. Although he wasn't familiar with smithery, we eventually created a working presse canard that served its purpose. It gained even more value when I brought it to Italy, where it was displayed on a shelf for years. Unfortunately, the shelf eventually collapsed, causing damage to the machine. We repaired the floor, but the presse canard was eventually discarded in the trash. However, the memory of my grandfather's craftsmanship still lives on.
Whenever someone asks about the man in the framed picture on my shelf, I can't help but smile and share the story of the presse canard. It's a quirky and unique item that adds a touch of nostalgia to my kitchen.
Ultimately, the multi-bladed tomato slicer, the domestic rice milling machine, and the presse canard are just three of the many quirky kitchen gadgets that make cooking an adventure. Whether you're slicing tomatoes, milling rice, or crushing duck bones, these tools can bring a smile to your face and surprise your guests with their functionality and charm. So, the next time you wander through an antique store or a kitchen gadget shop, keep an eye out for these unique tools. They might just become a new favorite addition to your collection!
Key Takeaways:
Multibladed tomato slicer: Ideal for slicing and chopping tomatoes. Domestic rice milling machine: Perfect for transforming brown rice into fresh, flavorful white rice. Presse canard: Unique tool for creating bone juice for sauces.