When she’s not running Petits Bouchées (petitsbouchees.com), an online, international gourmet specialties store, or training at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, Dividino-Simao caters events out of her Mount Vernon home. The tools she uses:
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1) Kyocera Mandoline ($25, Sur La Table, Yonkers 914-652-9643; surlatable.com) This Japanese manual slicer is lightweight, easy-to-use, and dishwasher-safe. A razor-sharp single blade produces consistent, paper-thin slices, and it takes seconds to slice up cucumbers and carrots for my salad with the double-edged straight slicer. Plus, I don’t have to stop to unclog it between vegetables. |
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| 2) Glass Citrus Juicer ($10, Sur La Table, Yonkers) I bought several hand-held juicers before I found this superb, pressed-glass one—all ended up at the thrift store. The retro style appeals enough to leave it out on the counter (I use it daily), it functions remarkably well, and the price is right. |
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| 3) Taylor Digital Measuring Cup and Scale ($40, Williams-Sonoma, White Plains 914-644-8360; williams-sonoma.com) This combination measuring cup/scale (with readout in the handle) automatically converts flour, sugar, milk, water, and oil from ounces (weight) to cups (volume). Having older eyes, I like the easy-to-read aspect—the cup has marks in quarter-cup and two-ounce increments. |
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4) AMCO Garlic Press and Slicer, Cast Zinc ($21, chefscatalog.com) This is the best garlic press ever. I’ve had many, and most of them were a pain to clean. This nonstick one has a doohickey to clean it through the back—no more garlic residue!—and also makes slices for sautéing vegetables or sticking inside a roast. I bought two, plus one for every bridal shower I go to. |
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5) Peugeot Pepper Mill ($40, Chef Central, 45 S Central Ave, Hartsdale 914-328-1376; chefcentral.com) I shopped many pepper mills before settling on the Peugeot, and I’ve been very happy with it. The construction is solid: The heft in your hand is just right, and the adjustable grind setting is effective. The 9-inch size is not too big, not too small—and holds enough to cook for weeks at a time. - Advertisement -
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