As somebody who’s lengthy lived in large cities and correspondingly tiny flats, I’ve at all times taken a minimalist strategy to kitchen tools. If I could make do with out, it would not make the minimize. For years, I did not personal a microwave. Even right this moment, I nonetheless do not personal an actual espresso pot. (Pour over for the win!)
However as I’ve gotten extra into cooking over the previous few years, I’ve discovered myself skipping sure recipes as a result of I haven’t got a meals processor. Certain, I can generally chop issues by hand, however relying on the ingredient and quantity, that may be a ache. Or my blender is likely to be as much as the duty, but it surely’s annoying to scrub, and would not really feel well worth the bother after I simply need, say, a handful of minced garlic.
Then, throughout one of many few actually-fun Zoom hours of 2020, considered one of my former colleagues was main us by way of her coconut shrimp and dip recipe and whipped out essentially the most lovely mini meals chopper ($16) that was concerning the dimension of a mug. That was one thing I may make room for in my cabinets. I instantly had her ship me the hyperlink.
Bluecow, Electrical Mini Meals Chopper — $16.00
Measurement: 3.45″D x 3.45″W x 3.94″H
Capability: 100 ml and 250 ml
Energy: USB rechargeable
Speeds: One
Cleansing: Hand-wash solely
- Doesn’t take up a lot pantry house
- Solely takes a couple of seconds to cube
- Transportable
- Simple to scrub
- Reasonably priced
- Restricted capability
- Substances should be in pretty small chunks earlier than moving into
As somebody who simply will get overwhelmed by intense kitchen gear (possibly one more reason why I’ve averted a meals processor?), the very first thing I observed—and appreciated—about this electrical mini meals chopper is that it has only one button. That is proper. Regardless of how frazzled I get in the course of a recipe, I am unable to screw this up. As a result of, bonus: The button will not even activate if you have not assembled the three elements (cup, blade, lid) accurately.
And this is not one other software that I want to seek out an outlet for when counter house is scarce. The chopper costs through a USB wire, then is totally transportable. I solely cost mine about as soon as a month or so between makes use of. (Unsurprisingly, some buyers report this function makes this gadget ultimate for tenting and picnics.)
However how properly does it truly work? Due to the small dimension of the cups (it comes with two—one 250 ml and one 100 ml), I do normally want to cut issues like onions or peppers into smaller chunks earlier than placing them inside or else they will not match, although I can pop garlic cloves proper on in. As soon as the chopper is closed, all I have to do is press the button on the highest and it begins dicing. I’ve discovered that I am unable to stuff the cup overly full—there’s just one pace, and it isn’t highly effective sufficient in opposition to critical resistance. However it may possibly chop up a handful of veggies or herbs in simply 5 or 10 seconds so long as there’s nonetheless some air inside. (The product says you can even mince boneless meat, however I’ve but to strive that.) This is not one thing you’d use to crush ice or mix up a smoothie. However after I want a handful of onions with out crying everywhere in the dish, I’ve discovered it is excellent.
As soon as I am finished chopping comes possibly the most important promoting level for me: Clear-up is tremendous straightforward. The three elements easily slide aside for painless washing; even the highest that powers the chopper is completely waterproof, which suggests I by no means dread utilizing it. Simply need a bit contemporary garlic? NBD. I can cube it up and be finished with these dishes in lower than a minute. That is my sort of cooking.
