I think I lack a creative gene. You know, that gene that tells you that maybe you can reuse something for another purpose? I do not have that gene at all. I'm always amazed when I walk into someone's house and see all these great ideas they've done themselves, taking something old and making it new. I can't seem to look past something's original purpose. I guess I'll never be in the Inventor's Hall of Fame.
As an example.........I've recently started buying mangos because the price has been so good. However, I would get so frustrated peeling the skin off of them. I'd end up wasting half the mango. I was using a paring knife, like I do with other fruits (kiwi, apples, peaches). I mentioned this to someone and this person said, "Why don't you use a vegetable peeler?" Ok, duh me! Why didn't I think of that? Because I've only EVER used a vegetable peeler to peel potatoes and carrots. It's now dawning on me that it would be much simpler to use a peeler on apples and all sorts of things. Who knew? Not me!
On a related note..........I don't follow Hollywood starlets or even watch many movies, but I do read the newspaper, watch TV and listen to the radio. In my own mind, I'm hip and know what's going on. But I really don't. I thought these two people were the same person for at least the past year:
So, this is the sort of conversation that goes on in my house:Husband: You should watch that show 'New Girl.' It's funny; I think you'd like it.
Me: You mean that show with Katy Perry?
Husband: No. I didn't know Katy Perry was on a TV show.
Me: Yeah, another singer who thinks she can act!
My bad! I guess Katy has some look-a-like named Zooey D-something! My kids think I'm hilarious.
Okay, this is just too funny because I do the same thing when it comes to peeling apples. I just use a sharp steak knife to peel the skin off and end up wasting half the apple. I know they have a special peeler for apple skins, but I've never bought one. So instead, I think I'll try using my vegetable peeler the next time. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteAnd honestly, looking at the two photos of the women you showed, I actually thought they were the same person too - HA! They look Katy Perry TWINS!!!
Hope you had a FAB day, my friend!
X
I'm trying to think. . . I meant to ask Jen this morning, but life was too hectic. . .
ReplyDeleteWhen I've seen her peel mangoes, I think she just kinda quarters the mango lengthwise, and cuts out the pit. Then she kinda 'scores' the flesh in little squares on the inside of the peel, and scrapes off the squares into a bowl.
For apples, we have a circular thingy with 8 or 10 radial blades around a circular blade-y center, which pretty strightforwardly renders the apple into wedges, sans core. 'Course, we don't mind the wedges having the peel still on 'em. . .
And, as to Katy Perry and her lookalikes, I have nothing whatsoever to say. . .
Well at least your two look-alikes are the same race. My ex once tried to claim that Lisa Bonet (on the Cosby Show) and Winona Ryder (in Beetlejuice movie) were the same person! Even when I told him their names, he insisted I was wrong!!
ReplyDeleteRe the starlets, easy mistake to make. They both have that slightly goofy, slightly simpering expression. Like so many female celebs.
ReplyDeleteRon - I too tend to just grab whatever knife is handy and start peeling. I am the least precise cook there is, because I'm lazy!
ReplyDeleteCraig - Hmmm...well, I have never been able to pull the pit out of a mango. After I peel it, I just cut around the pit. And even that method, it seems like there's a lot of waste. Weird fruit! I usually only use apples for baking, so I need to peel them.
Me - Ok, Bonet and Ryder look nothing alike to me! That is funnhy!
Nick - I'm glad it's not just me!
I don't care what you might be told - both those photo's are of Katy Perry, I'll stake my life on it..
ReplyDeleteMeh, that said, I can't even pick out my own kid when she plays football with a scudge of other's on the field - seriously, I once captured a whole match on video of somebody else's kid playing. Well, it gets confusing, doesn't it?
Ha, well at least I know how to peel a mango (teehee)!
This was funny! You mean to tell me people peel potatoes? That's a waste of time and nutrition. (Use the tip of the peeler to gouge the eyes out and get on with your recipe. Ditto most fruits and veggies.) This is a cool post. (I don't know who you are, just linked off of Shrinky. But for that matter I don't know who Katy Perry is either. Give me Julie Delpy any day.) I agree with Craig as to how to serve up a mango.
ReplyDeleteHey, I got in trouble for using a utility knife to peel an apple. What, like that's a problem? Seriously?
ReplyDeleteI don't even try to mess with celebs, though Queenie regularly tries to entrap me. "Who was that actor/actress from? I know them from somewhere, do you know?" ..... No dear, even if I had an idea I already know it's messed up so no-joy. :)
No, you're right - there seems to me, too, to be a lot of waste in the process of peeling a mango.
ReplyDeleteI think Jen quarters the mango lengthwise, then she has to kinda carve the pit out of the center. But no matter what you do, there's and awful lot of the flesh left stuck to the pit, and also the peel. . .
I think peaches and mangoes are pretty similar-tasting (mangoes are maybe a little less 'tart'?); but I guess mangoes are one of those nutritional block-busters, so substituting peaches might not work quite as well as I might wish. . .
this is the easiest way i've learned to handle a mango. hope it helps.
ReplyDeleteof course you repeat the procedure with the other half and then do the same to the thin slivers left on the sides of it. sucking the pit is the only way to get every last bit of mango flesh off it.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny - I think of those as apple peelers. In fact, I probably peel apples with them more than I do vegetables.
ReplyDeleteZooey Deschanel, ironically, is an actor who thinks she can sing.
Shrinky - I always had trouble picking my kids out when they were in team uniforms. My husband never did because he's a sports junkie. I'd always be asking him, "What number is she/he again??"
ReplyDeleteMyth - Thanks for stopping by!!! I peel many of my fruits and vegies because I'm paranoid about pesticides, which they say reside mostly in the peels.
X - I'm all about de-cluttering and simplifying, so I actually like the idea of a 'utility' knife.
Craig - I think peaches are much better than mangoes. Plus easier to eat and cheaper!
Lime - I totally disagree with that video!!! Sure, the side without the pit is easy enough to do that, but what about the other side sitting there? Trust me when I say, using a vegetable peeler is a much easier method and then just slicing around the pit and cutting the flesh up afterwards.
ReplyDeleteAgent - Really? I've always thought of them as potato/carrot peelers, probably because that's about the only thing my mom used one for. Middle Child uses it for her cucumbers too. And YES, the whole actor/singer thing usually doesn't go both ways.
Terrif! And don't believe the lies about it being unsanitory, every new blade has its own protective coating of oil for your safety!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMangoes are sweet perfumed perfection when they are in season and ripe. But sadly I'm mostly scared of buying them as I tend to get too many bad ones in the bunch.
ReplyDeleteI cut/peel similar to Craig's lovely lady. Cut a thick slice on the wide side of the mango (so as to shave as close to the pit as possible (or do as you do for an avocado and slice around the pit, etc. and dig it out of the half it's stuck in). Take your knife and score the flesh (down to the peel in a crosswise fashion) and then you just have to fork/scoop our the squares of mango away from the peel. Not as messy as peeling!
f2 - I initially tried the 'avocado method' when I first started buying them and it was a no go. The mangoes I buy just never seem to be that fat.
ReplyDelete