Microplane: Essential Tools for the Kitchen + Orange Scone Recipe

Prepping food for cooking can be an arduous and time-consuming task if you do not have the right tools.   The very thought of slicing all those potatoes thinly and evenly for scalloped potatoes is daunting. I’m not a chef, and I certainly am not handy with a knife.

I was given the opportunity to try out some of Microplane’s new products in my own kitchen and was pleased to find just how easy prepping food could be with their Adjustable Slicer,  Elite Zester and Spiral Cutter.

First created in 1990 as a new form of woodworking tool, the original Microplane did not find its way into the kitchen until 1994. Since that time, Microplane graters have found enthusiastic support from professional chefs and domestic cooks and have earned a permanent place in restaurants and home kitchens around the world. Most recently, Microplane has entered the Personal Care arena with its highly effective, professional quality foot files and accessories.

 

The Microplane Adjustable Slicer is the biggest time saver for me.  With a sharp, stainless steel adjustable blade I am able to cut even slices -thick or paper thin – every time.  It also includes a julienne blade for cutting long, thin, even strips.

The straight blade, which is essentially a mandolin, is able to cut slices in three different sizes:  1/32-inch, 1/16-inch and 1/8-inch.  It also comes with a food holder for your safety, and since the blade is so sharp I really suggest using it to avoid slicing a part of your hand off. 

The slicer makes meal prep quick and efficient with completely uniform cuts that I would never be able to achieve with just a knife.

The Microplane Elite Zester is a rasp-style grater with a narrow surgical grade stainless steel blade surface featuring a catch/cover.  It is an amazing tool for finely grating citrus peel without getting any of the bitter white pith and without all the awkwardness of trying to use a box grater to do the same job.  The Elite Zester really makes getting the zest off citrus fruits quick and easy thanks to the super sharp microplane blade and the ergonomic handle. 

The transparent cover works well at catching the grated peel and features measurement marks with a 10-teaspoon capacity so I only need one tool when zesting making recipes like my Orange Scones, found below, hassle free. 

The elite zester also works equally well with hard cheeses, ginger, chocolate and more!

The Spiral Cutter is definitely one of the coolest gadgets in my kitchen at the moment.  It is able to quick quickly and effortlessly create perfect spiral cuts and ribbons out of fresh vegetables. It features two razor-sharp slicing barrels – one large and one small both with super sharp microplane surgical grade stainless steel blades.  The small barrel is perfect for carrots, radishes and other small root vegetables while the larger barrel works great with larger foods such as zucchini, daikon and cucumbers.

It is really easy to turn vegetables into perfect ribbons; insert the vegetable into one of the barrels and twist.  I found I was able to create the best ribbons by using a little extra pressure while turning the vegetable.

The ribbons the spiral cutter creates are perfect for putting into salad, stir-fries, used as garnishes and of course to create healthy gluten-free and low carb “pasta” dishes like this Daikon Fettucine.

For information on the entire line of premium quality kitchen tools from Microplane be sure to visit the company’s Web site. 

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Orange Scones

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Ingredients

• 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• 2 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 3 Tbsp Sugar
• 2 tbsp Orange Zest
• 1/4 Cup Butter
• 1 Orange, Cut into 1 inch pieces.
• 1/4 Cup Milk
• 1 Egg
• 1 tbsp Sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven to 400 Degrees F.
2. Combine Flour, Baking Powder, Sugar and Zest in a large bowl.
3. With two knives or a paddle attachment on a stand mixer, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the butter is mixed in well. The consistency should be crumby.
4. Stir in Orange pieces, milk and egg with a fork until a soft dough forms.
5. Knead dough lightly on a floured surface.
6. Form dough into a 7-inch round on a baking pan.
7. Sprinkle with remaining sugar.
8. Cut into 8 wedges and separate slightly.
9. Bake for 18 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Serve warm with butter.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

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 Win it:

One Canadian Frugal Mom Eh reader will win their choice of Microplane Kitchen Tool {Winner may choose one of the following: Adjustable Slicer,  Elite Zester or Spiral Cutter.}  Giveaway ends on September 21st at 11:59 pm EST.  See Giveaway Tools form for Entry and T&C.

Elizabeth Lampman

Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!