Question on Alissa's DVD

[twinee1]

I did not get the DVD, just have the book. So I am wondering if the DVD has any insruction on using the Spiral Slicer and Mandaline ? I am struggling with these appliances and put them away in favor of the old fashioned knife.

[sweetgoddess]

You will be able to see Alissa using the spiral slicer up close and that will be helpful. It does make a huge difference seeing something actually done in front of you, as opposed to imagining.

She does not use a mandolin in her DVD, just to let you know.
What is your struggle with it?

Blessings~
Carmel

[Ariannah]

http://www.discountjuicers.com/usingspiralslicer.html

The above link has additional pictorial instructions for the spiral slicer.
The saladacco takes a lot of the correct amount of pressure while turning for the noodles. I, too, get frustrated with it from time to time. I'm hoping to get better at it, because I love my fresh noodles.

[twinee1]

Thanks Gals. I will get the DVD that may help....I would like to take the Chef Class so if you guys ever get to NY State that would be fabulous...hint hint.

The Mandelin, the veggies seem to just get mashed down into the plate and do not slice well or uniformly almost like They are to soft to slice/cut...my peper ened up just a miss shape thin and my carrot the slices were big and not uniform. I did not even bother with a tomoato yet..

[RawYogini]

The only way I can use the spiral slicer is to set it on the floor so I can apply enough downward pressure while turning the knob. Lately, I've been too lazy to break out the s. slicer, so I just use my tried and true vegetable peeler.

[RawFoodieMom]

The Mandelin, the veggies seem to just get mashed down into the plate and do not slice well or uniformly almost like They are to soft to slice/cut...my peper ened up just a miss shape thin and my carrot the slices were big and not uniform. I did not even bother with a tomoato yet..

What kind of mandolin do you have? Sounds like maybe your mandolin's blade isn't sharp enough? I cut very thin slices of cucumber with mine and it worked really well. I'm just scared of the thing 'cause I got a bad cut, wasn't careful enough.

Debra

[rawpriestess]

I think it makes alot of difference if you are buying a quality appliance, i've got a Joyce Chen spiral slicer, works great, I've had it 5 years, not any challneges, I use it at least twice or three times a week, but I've seen other brands, not even work the first time you use them.

I also have a very nice V slicer, it's a Borne, or some Swedish name, and it works wonderfully, I used to have an orange one, as soon as they came out with white, I tossed my orange ugly one, and bought a new white one, so I've had it about 6 years and love it, although the old ugly orange one worked just fine when I tossed it. (color is VERY important to me)

I also have a great stainless steele mandoline, very sharp, works great, makes perfect slices, it has an adjustable thingy to make the slices thicker or thinner, so if your's is adjustable, maybe you don't have that tight, or maybe you don't have a quality one, that stays the same on both sides.

Mine is very sharp, as I too, cut myself on it the first time I used it, which is very rare, I've only cut myself about 3 times in my entire life in the kitchen,now in my studio, I've cut myself dozens of times, but in the kitchen only about 3 times, all with using appliances, never with a regular knife,

Except just a couple months ago, I cut my frozen finger with the BACK not sharp part of a knife blade, I was baring down really hard with my frozen finger ont the back of the blade, cut a big chunk outta' my finger, but that was stuipidity, not carelessness with a blade, big difference.

Anyway, good luck, try the tighteners, and also you might just go to a kitchen store and ask them about your appliance, maybe you just need new blades or something easy like that.

[twinee1]

I bought the stainless steel Cuisinart. It is very sharp so maybe I just need to practice.