Help with chopping/slicing

[robfosters]

Recovery from my stroke has got to the point where I can cook again. However, I am still struggling badly with chopping. Meat isn't too bad as it's quite damp and non slip, but I like curries and things like onions and peppers are hard. At risk of cutting myself. Plus I'm on blood thinners, so that's not a bright idea.

So do you know of any techniques or gadgets that could make my life easier?

 

[Ahleckz]

First things first, you need to make sure that your knife is sharp. A dull knife will slip and be more dangerous.
Secondly, you could buy a finger guard to protect your fingers.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jamie-Oliver-Chop-Finger-Guard/dp/B001U0O1CW

 

[randomshenans]

Very good knives. Sharper the easier to cut and less pressure involved. Then I'd just use the rocking technique should hopefully help your movements

 

[Jonny69]

Had you considered a serrated knife for the veggies? That way you just saw back and forth and don't have to apply any downward pressure.

Good practice for cutting is to create a flat surface to start with - so with an onion, cut the end off it first so you create a flat surface to steady it on, then cut it in half and it should be easy to slice or chop from there. Same with potatoes etc, any larger veg.

 

[taB]

I have an old version of this: http://www.zyliss.com/our-products/ProductDetails.aspx?Id=269&CategoryId=14

I thought it was a daft gift at first but it's actually really handy, the smaller you want the pieces, the more you hit it.

 

[Belmit]

And for your finer chopping, Garlic Zoom!

Edit: Haha! The 1-star reviews on there are amazing - I even commented on one a while back because it sounded like the person wasn't using it right. They were, they just lacked any shred of common sense.

It's a simple device - you open the trap-door in the top, deposit cloves, shut, roll back and forth on the wheels so the blades spin and shred the garlic. You then split the container in half, remove the free-sitting blade wheel and empty the garlic out. The 1-star reviewers make it sound like they're apes banging it on a rock, showering themselves in razor blades and garlic. They also complain it's hard to clean. Three seconds under a running tap and it's done.

 

[arknor]

you have to peel the garlic though :S

 

[FrenchTart]

It's very simple to peel garlic without too much hassle or dexterity. Just cut the base off (pretty simple) then crush it. Half the skin is removed instantly and the rest is only loosely attached and is easy to peel.

 

[Belmit]

I think he was being sarcastic.

For anyone having problems peeling garlic, just shake the Dickens out of it:

 

[arknor]

but why use a machine to cut it? just get a garlic press and you dont even need to remove the skin , its not like you really want the texture of the garlic anyway?

anyway I find peeling garlic tedious

 

[tom_nieto]

Surely this is what a food processor is for (with slicing attachment)? At the very least a mandolin would be useful for you.

Having a stroke sucks, but I'm glad to hear that you're back in the kitchen again!

 

[FrenchTart]

I think he was being sarcastic.

For anyone having problems peeling garlic, just shake the Dickens out of it:

I've tried that method and to be honest it only works with certain varieties of garlic, sadly.

Either that or the thing I shook it in simply wasn't suitable.

 

[dottty27]

mandalin with the guard

protects you easy to use ect

 

[arknor]

I've tried that method and to be honest it only works with certain varieties of garlic, sadly.

Either that or the thing I shook it in simply wasn't suitable.

maybe the garlic has to be ripe and most supermarket sold stuff probably isnt quite ready yet

 

[jackthezipper]

Food processor with slicing attachments.

 

[Belmit]

This is in the Black Friday sale at 7pm. Will be cheaper than the price shown.

 

[WillyNelson]

Sharpen your knives - a sharp knife is easier to control.
Work out a way that works for you to hold the food firmly - for an onion I have index & middle finger on top (fingertips tucked under to avoid the blade and 1st & 2nd knuckles guide the knife), ring finger & tumb grip either side and little finger steadies the end.
Use a slicing action rather than a chop - set the edge of the blade on the onion & move forward or back with gentle downward pressure. A sharp blade will easily slice through. Also why using a bigger knife is often better.

So: big, sharp, slice don't chop. And practice on something firm but easy to cut, like a cucumber. Good luck!

 

[Glaucus]

This is in the Black Friday sale at 7pm. Will be cheaper than the price shown.

I realy want one, not entirely sure why, I make a lot of coleslaw, but big food processor can do that. But this is just smaller. Ahh I fail at logic. There's no need for it.

Tefal slicer looks better, not on offer though and a bit more expensive.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006ZCU3...de=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B006ZCU3T0

Or as everyone else has said a k I've which fits you hand nicely, extremely sharp blade and a nice chopping board which doesn't slip around and is flat.