The potato masher is an underrated kitchen tool that has seen better days in modern cooking. It’s used less and less often as even the most entry-level chefs have moved on to more modern kitchen gadgets like the food processor or the blender. However, the potato masher still has its place in the kitchen. Even if it’s not quite as prevalent as it used to be. Here are five ways you’ve been using your potato masher wrong. Beside, how you can fix those problems so you can get more use out of this classic kitchen gadget!
Use It To Mash Potatoes
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A lot of people tend to think that all it’s good for is mashing potatoes. In fact, you can use a potato masher to mash fruits and vegetables, too. A huge number of apples go into making applesauce! This one item can be used in many different recipes throughout your kitchen. Be sure to keep an eye out for recipes that call for mashed fruit or vegetables. With a potato masher on hand, you’ll always be able to make them.
Plus, if you want to mix things up and throw away those other utensils who could blame you? potato mashers are multi-purpose tools as well; they can be used as food servers as well as colanders. Need some chopped veggies? No problem; just throw them through a few times with your trusty potato masher! It’s quick, easy, and efficient – everything we love about tools we use in our kitchens today.
Use It To Smash Garlic
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Depending on how big your garlic cloves are, you can either use a whole clove or just peel off some of its skin. Stick your peeled garlic into your potato masher and give it a couple of smacks to release all that garlicky goodness into whatever you’re cooking. Garlic offers natural flavor enhancement, has anti-inflammatory properties, and even has potential health benefits for cancer prevention. It’s also powerful enough to boost immune system functioning—if you can stand eating it raw! So next time you make dinner, try using your potato masher as a makeshift garlic press before dicing up any other veggies. Just be sure to wash it thoroughly after you’re done smashing. Don’t want any garlic breath yourself!
Use It To Crush Peppercorns
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No fancy chefs talk about potato mashers, but if you have a cabinet with a few spices in it, then you have a tool that will help you grind them into powder. Simply break off two pieces of peppercorns and put them in your potato masher. Push down on your handle to crack open each piece of pepper before moving on to the next one. After doing so, simply pour out your new spice blend or store it in an airtight container for future use. If you want to get fancy, try using other things besides peppercorns. Cumin seeds are great for making your own curry powder! Just put them in your metal potato masher and push down. Then sift through all of the extra material (and let’s be honest, there’s always some left over) to grab what you need for cooking later.
Use It For Holiday Decorations
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While most people only think of potato mashers when it comes to making mashed potatoes, you can actually use one for so much more. Consider how versatile these tools are and suddenly holiday decorating isn’t so difficult! When putting up your Christmas tree or hanging wreaths, use a metal potato masher instead of traditional hooks. They’ll do a better job holding heavier items and won’t cause damage to your walls. Use one as a bookmark: If you have a hard time keeping track of where you left off in a book, consider putting a metal potato masher inside as a bookmark.
The weight will help keep pages from getting torn and save your place at all times. Make spuds less starchy: Have some leftover mashed potatoes? Mix them with vinegar and let them sit overnight to remove some of their starchiness before reheating. The result is smoother, creamier mashed potatoes that taste better than ever! Make smoothies creamy: Mixing fruit with ice is a great way to get smoothies cold without watering them down, but they tend to come out watery no matter what you do (even if you add extra ingredients). Next time try adding ice cubes made from leftover potato water instead; the already smooth water will break down even further into tiny pieces that feel like they melt away while still giving plenty of flavor throughout each sip.
Use It To Remove Scratches From Glasses
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When you’re cooking and something accidentally gets smashed into your favorite glassware, don’t panic! To get rid of scratches from a glass, all you need is a metal potato masher. Soak a washcloth in cold water and cover it with salt to create an exfoliating scrub. Next, rub your potato masher against it until all of the scratches are gone! Cleaning your glasses will have never been easier. If possible, use a dishwasher or hand-wash them immediately after using a potato masher on them so they stay clean and scratch-free for longer. For added protection, consider buying special coasters that prevent scratching. There are many different types available that do more than just protect—they also showcase beautiful artwork, patterns and even photos of family members.
