Your Cart is Empty
Food mills are versatile kitchen tools that can be used by both professional chefs and home cooks. They consist of a bowl, a stainless steel disk, and a crank, which work together to produce mashed potatoes, silky soups, smooth sauces, and more. While a food mill may seem like a complex tool, it offers unique advantages over other kitchen tools like potato mashers, strainers, food processors, and blenders.
In this article, we will explore the various uses of a food mill and provide you with six delicious ideas for incorporating this versatile tool into your cooking repertoire. A food mill is a kitchen tool that combines the functions of a strainer and a masher. It is comprised of three main parts: a bowl, a stainless steel disk, and a crank. The food mill is designed to process cooked fruits and vegetables, separating the pulp and liquids from the skins and seeds. The process of using a food mill is simple. First, you add the cooked food, such as potatoes or tomatoes, to the inner bowl of the mill. Then, you turn the crank to force the food through the disk, leaving behind a smooth puree or sauce in the bowl. While there are several kitchen tools that can perform similar tasks to a food mill, such as potato mashers, strainers, food processors, and blenders, a food mill offers unique advantages that set it apart. Neat and Consistent Results: One of the key advantages of using a food mill is its ability to mash and strain food neatly and consistently. Unlike a potato masher or blender, a food mill ensures a uniform texture without any lumps or chunks. Versatility: Food mills can be used for a wide range of applications, including making mashed potatoes, tomato sauce, jams, jellies, preserves, applesauce, soups, and purees. Some food mills even come with multiple discs that allow you to choose between fine, medium, or coarse textures. Easy to Use: Using a food mill is straightforward and requires minimal effort. Simply add the cooked food to the bowl, turn the crank, and watch as the food passes through the disk, leaving behind a smooth puree or sauce. Time and Labor Saving: A food mill eliminates the need for transferring hot food from a blender, pushing tomatoes through a sieve, or manually mashing potatoes. It streamlines the process and saves you time and labor in the kitchen. Now that we've explored what a food mill is and its advantages, let's dive into some unique and useful applications for this versatile tool. These ideas will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen and make the most of your food mill. Hummus is a delicious and healthy dip that can be made even smoother and creamier with the help of a food mill. To make hummus using a food mill, combine the ingredients of your favorite hummus recipe and pass them through the mill fitted with a fine or medium blade. The food mill will ensure a smooth texture, free from any lumps or graininess. Pomegranate juice is known for its rich flavor and health benefits. Instead of buying expensive store-bought pomegranate juice, you can easily make your own using a food mill. Simply throw pomegranate seeds into the bowl of the mill and crank it to extract the freshly pressed juice. You can enjoy the juice on its own, add a splash to a glass of seltzer, or use it as an ingredient in cocktails. If you're making desserts like key lime pie or cheesecake that require a crumb crust, a food mill can come in handy. Add a few graham crackers or cookies at a time to the food mill, and you'll instantly get fine crumbs that are perfect for your crust. The food mill ensures consistent results and saves you the time and effort of crushing the crackers or cookies by hand. Gnocchi, a type of Italian dumpling, is traditionally made with mashed potatoes. To achieve light and fluffy gnocchi, it's essential to avoid overworking the potatoes before adding the flour. A food mill can help with this process. Pass the cooked potatoes through the fine disk of the food mill before adding your other ingredients. The food mill will mash the potatoes quickly and efficiently, reducing the risk of overworking them. Another convenient use for a food mill is as a colander. Simply remove the crank from your food mill and use it like any other colander. You can rinse and strain pasta, grains, and vegetables without the need for a separate colander. This versatile feature saves you both space and time in the kitchen. If you have a baby or are making homemade baby food, a food mill can be a valuable tool. You can use a regular food mill or one specifically designed for baby food, like the OXO Tot Mash Maker Baby Food Mill. Simply process your family's meal in the food mill to create a baby-friendly puree. The food mill ensures a smooth and consistent texture, making it easier for your little one to enjoy a variety of flavors. A food mill is a versatile and handy tool that can elevate your cooking and baking endeavors. From creating silky soups and smooth sauces to making homemade baby food, the food mill offers unique advantages over other kitchen tools. Its ability to mash and strain food neatly and consistently sets it apart, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen. So, why not invest in a food mill and unlock a world of culinary possibilities?1. What is a Food Mill?
2. Advantages of Using a Food Mill
3. Unique and Useful Applications of a Food Mill
Make Hummus
Juice Pomegranate Seeds
Crush Graham Cracker/Cookies For Pies And Cakes
Prep Potatoes For Light & Fluffy Gnocchi
Use it as a Colander
Make Baby Food
Conclusion
References
