Mandoline

{{Short description|Culinary utensil used for slicing food}} {{About|the kitchen utensil|the musical instrument|Mandolin|the Phil Beer album|Mandoline (album)}} {{more citations needed|date=June 2014}} right|thumb|A mandoline used for slicing a carrot

A '''mandoline''' (US, {{IPAc-en|ˌ|m|æ|n|d|ə|ˈ|l|iː|n|,_|-|ˈ|l|ɪ|n}}{{refn|{{MerriamWebsterDictionary|accessdate=2016-01-22|Mandoline}}}}) or '''mandolin''' (British, /ˌmandəˈlɪn/, /ˈmandəlɪn/, /ˈmandl̩ɪn/{{refn|{{OED|accessdate=2020-05-16|mandolin}}}}), is a culinary utensil used for slicing and for cutting juliennes; with suitable attachments, it can make crinkle-cuts.

== Design == {{multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | image1 = Mandoline and blades.jpg | width1 = 220 | alt1 = | caption1 = A mandoline with various cutting blades | image2 = Mandoline close up.jpg | width2 = 220 | alt2 = | caption2 = Close up of the cutting apparatus, set up for a {{convert|1/4|in|mm|0|adj=on}} julienne cut | footer = }} A mandoline consists of two parallel working surfaces, one of which may be adjustable in height.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mandoline |title=mandoline - Definitions from Dictionary.com |website=dictionary.reference.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513044652/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mandoline |archive-date=2007-05-13}} </ref> A food item is slid along the adjustable surface until it reaches a blade mounted on the fixed surface, slicing it and letting it fall.

Other blades perpendicular to the main blade are often mounted so that the slice is cut into strips. These mandolines julienne in one or more widths and thicknesses. They also make slices, waffle cuts and crinkle cuts, and dice firm vegetables and fruits.

With a mandoline, slices are uniform in thickness,<ref name="fantes.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.fantes.com/slicers-mandolins.html|title=Mandolines and Slicers|website=www.fantes.com|access-date=2009-10-17|archive-date=2008-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213004035/http://www.fantes.com/slicers-mandolins.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> which is important with foods that are deep-fried or baked, as well as for presentation. Slices can be made very quickly, with significantly less skill and effort than would be required if cutting with a knife or other blade,<ref name="fantes.com"/> and adjustable mandolines can make very thin slices.

== Operation ==

A mandoline is used by running a piece of food (with some protection for fingers) along an adjustable inclined plane into one or more blades. On some models vertical blades cut to produce julienne, or a wavy blade is used that produces crinkle cuts. In these models a quarter turn to the food between passes produces dice and waffle cuts.

A mandoline can cause serious injury if not used correctly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/mandoline-slicer-safety/|title=Are You Making This Dangerous Mistake With Your Mandoline Slicer?|date=August 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/dining/cooking-tools-add-convenience-and-danger.html|title=Adding Convenience and Danger|first=Maria|last=Newman|work=The New York Times |date=January 15, 2013|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>

== See also ==  * Cheese slicer - cuts cheese into thin slices. * Food processor – chops food using motorisation in multiple ways. * Grater – produces smaller pieces rather than thin sheets. * {{transliteration|ja|Kezuriki}} – Japanese version, used to shave {{transliteration|ja|katsuobushi}}, dried blocks of skipjack tuna. * Meat slicer – a tool used to slice meats and other deli products. * Microplane – used for the grating of various food items. * Microtome – the laboratory-grade equivalent, for much finer slicing thicknesses. * {{transliteration|ja|Oroshigane}} – graters used in Japanese cooking.

== References == {{Reflist|2}}

== External links == * [http://www.mandolines.com/articles/mandoline-parts.php Mandoline parts overview]

Category:Food preparation utensils