The Right Tools For Slicing And Dicing

Chop, Chop!
Slicing and dicing are so much easier when you have the right kitchen tools. Here are some of our favorites.

The spring colors of this mini santoku and kitchen shear prep set add a vibrant sense of whimsy to your kitchen. The high-carbon stainless steel blades make cutting and snipping a snap. $39.95 at Sur La Table. 4527 Travis St. 214-526-5197. www.surlatable.com. >>

<< Using the J.A. Henckels 7-inch mezzaluna is the ideal way to chop nuts, herbs, and spices. Simply rock it back and forth as the dual blades do all the work. Couple the mezzaluna with this Boos Block cutting board: The board’s concave trough keeps the cuttings on the board and the mess to a minimum. Both $44.95 at Sur La Table.

Yes, there are far more fanciful mandolines on the market. But you can’t beat the durability or smart ergonomics of Oxo’s Good Grips stainless steel mandoline. It’s perfect for slicing vegetables of all sorts, and the food holder keeps fingers far from harm’s way. $69.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond. Multiple locations. 8005 Park Ln. 214-692-1778. www.bedbathandbeyond.com. >>

<< This J.A. Henckels four-piece paring knife set features break-proof, dishwasher-safe handles as well as stainless steel blades. That’s good and all, but we just love the colorful handles and the fact that you can now buy Henckels at Target. What a wonderful world. $15.99 at Target. Multiple Locations.  2417 N. Haskell Ave. 214-826-0331. www.target.com.

Kyocera’s ceramic kitchen slicer is a favorite of Japanese cooks who use these hand-held tools to create delicate julienne cuts and paper-thin slices. $25 at Williams-Sonoma. Multiple locations. NorthPark Center. 214-378-6216. www.williamssonoma.com. >>