Chopping tomatoes with Nicer Dicer

"Simple Simon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?
2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?
3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

Think for a moment about chopping a tomato using a knife. You put the whole
tomato on the cutting board and then, what do you do with the knife?
Describe the action.

Simple Simon said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?

You should never store tomatoes in the refrigerator. There are flavor
components in tomatoes that are destroyed at low temperature.

Quoted message said:

2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?

I suppose so. It's always good to follow instructions for any
equipment
that you buy (at least the first time).

Quoted message said:

3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

You should get a nice, sharp knife and learn to use it. It'll be
faster and
more versatile in the long run.

Cindy Hamilton

Cindy wrote on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:28:05 -0700:

CH> On Sep 19, 10:03 am, Simple Simon <[email hidden]>
wrote:

CH> You should never store tomatoes in the refrigerator. There
CH> are flavor components in tomatoes that are destroyed at low
CH> temperature.

Perhaps, but if you don't the tomatoes may ripen so much that
they will have be eaten cooked! I'm not convinced that any
flavor is lost, especially if you allow them to warm to room
temperature before eating.

CH> You should get a nice, sharp knife and learn to use it.
CH> It'll be faster and
CH> more versatile in the long run.

If you haven't got a truly sharp knife, a serrated one like a
bread knife will do. We were often reduced to that when renting
vacation cottages.

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

Simple Simon said:

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

I'm sure it's your method, too. Speficially, using the Nicer
Dicer in the first place.

Use a knife.

Quoted message said:

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator.

And never put your tomatoes in the fridge.

-sw

"Simple Simon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?
2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?
3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

Never heard of it. Is it one of those infomercial things? Could be it's
just a hunk of junk. If I have to do a lot of tomatoes, I just chop them in
my food processor.

Simple Simon said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?
2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?
3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

I don't know about storing tomatoes in the fridge but i would use a
knife because i have always had problems with "easy gadgets" not
performing as advertised

"Julie Bove" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:sBbIi.15460$Lm2.10710@trndny09...

Quoted message said:

"Simple Simon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?
2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?
3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

Never heard of it. Is it one of those infomercial things? Could be it's
just a hunk of junk. If I have to do a lot of tomatoes, I just chop them
in my food processor.

www.nicerdicer.com

I chop vegetables at least once a day, but I only run the dishwasher twice a
week. This toy looks like it would be a pain to clean by hand, so it would
be useless to me.

"Simple Simon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?
2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?
3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

My sweet Jesus, man, just take a sharp knife to those puppies and get on
with your life!

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?
2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?
3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

Get rid of silly gadget and buy a sharp knife.

--
Peter Aitken

On Sep 19, 7:41 am, "James Silverton" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Perhaps, but if you don't the tomatoes may ripen so much that
they will have be eaten cooked! I'm not convinced that any
flavor is lost, especially if you allow them to warm to room
temperature before eating.

It's an easy experiment. Try it and you will be convinced. Buy or
pick two tomatoes. Put one in the fridge for a day, leave the other
out. Bring the chilled tomato back to room temp, eat a slice of
each. The unchilled one will taste better. I did this years ago,
twice. Once with store bought tomatoes, once with backyard tomatoes.
I found a real difference. -aem

JoeSpareBedroom said:

"Simple Simon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

Quoted message said:

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

Quoted message said:

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?
2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?
3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

Think for a moment about chopping a tomato using a knife. You put the whole
tomato on the cutting board and then, what do you do with the knife?
Describe the action.

I solved my problem.

The booklet (always read the booklet) says "Food with a peel such as
peppers, apples, pears, tomatoes, cucumbers should always be places
with the peel side down, Lower the top (blade) so it rests on the
item".

This was number 3 above and it works fine. I made an Indian dish
called bhel puri, which uses diced tomatoes, onions and potatoes, and
my wife was impressed, as I'm usually very clumsy about the kitchen.

Julie Bove said:

"Simple Simon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

Quoted message said:

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

Quoted message said:

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?
2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?
3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

Never heard of it. Is it one of those infomercial things? Could be it's
just a hunk of junk. If I have to do a lot of tomatoes, I just chop them in
my food processor.

The ND does work, yes, though I guess it's aimed at ham-fisted people
like me rather than talented cooks. It lets you dice fruit and
vegetables perfectly without the mess. It's manual so you don't have
to plug it in. Best of all, it's only got 3 components, all of which
are easy to wash.The problem with a processor is that it makes food go
mushy and is a devil to clean.

Now I'll stop walking past the vegetable aisles in my supermarket!

I

Simple Simon said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?
2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?
3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

1. Never put tomatoes in the refrigerator.
It ruins both flavor and texture.

2. Never buy gadgets you see advertised on TV.
a. they are over priced
b. they rarely do what is shown on the ad

gloria p

"Simple Simon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?
2. Should I have dried the blades with a towel after running them
under the tap, as per instructions?
3. Should I try turning the tomato halves round, so the flat side is
facing up so the blades don't slice into the skin?

Nicer Dicer looks like it's a reverse Vidalia Chopper, so here's the
technique I use with the Vidalia Chopper (since I don't own a Nicer Dicer):

1. Place a tomato half with the rounded side facing the half with the
squares, flat side on the cutting blades

2. Lower the squares half until the squares just touch the rounded side of
the tomato half, pause for a fraction of a second, then

3. In one sharp motion, push down quickly and firmly with constant
pressure... the tomato half is nicely diced in the container below the
blades.

(This has worked with room temperature tomatoes and also with refrigerated
tomatoes, cut in half before using the Vidalia Chopper device.)

Now, here is how I would theoretically reverse step #1 of that technique for
the Nicer Dicer:

1. Place a tomato half with the rounded side touching the squares, flat side
facing the blades

2. Lower the blade and container half until it touches the flat side of the
tomato half, pause for a fraction of a second, then

3. In one sharp motion, push down quickly and firmly with constant
pressure... the tomato half should theoretically be diced in the container
above.

Based on that, I would recommend trying your #3 above, turning the tomato
half so the flat side is facing up towards the blades. Also try pausing for
a moment once the blades touch the tomato half, then use a sharp and quick
motion with constant pressure to dice the tomato half.

(Note that a small amount of tomato juice and tomato skin will probably
remain in the squares of the Nicer Dicer, as this also occurs with the
Vidalia Chopper.)

Simple Simon <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

How do I chop tomatoes with the Nicer Dicer? I tried halving them and
putting the flat side down, as per the instructions. But the blades
refuse to cut the thick tomato skin, instead squashing the fruit into
a round pulp.

I refuse to believe that the Nicer Dicer won't chop tomatoes; I'm sure
it's my method.

1. The tomatoes were from the refrigerator. Should I have left them
out first so they reached room temperature?

WHAT! Refrigerator, were you going for tasteless along with mushy.

From: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/kitchentips/tomatoes.html

Note: Do not refrigerate tomatoes. Refrigeration dulls their flavor and
makes their texture mealy. Simply leave them out at room temperature away
from direct light.

--

Charles
The significant problems we face cannot be solved
at the same level of thinking we were at when we
created them. Albert Einstein

"aem" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sep 19, 7:41 am, "James Silverton"
<[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Perhaps, but if you don't the tomatoes may ripen so much that
they will have be eaten cooked! I'm not convinced that any
flavor is lost, especially if you allow them to warm to room
temperature before eating.

It's an easy experiment. Try it and you will be convinced.
Buy or
pick two tomatoes. Put one in the fridge for a day, leave the
other
out. Bring the chilled tomato back to room temp, eat a slice
of
each. The unchilled one will taste better. I did this years
ago,
twice. Once with store bought tomatoes, once with backyard
tomatoes.
I found a real difference. -aem

The trouble with that as an experiment is that the
unrefrigerated tomato has had one extra day of room temperature
ripening. The fridge certainly slows down the ripening process.
That's why I do it!

--
Jim Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Charles Quinn said:

Note: Do not refrigerate tomatoes. Refrigeration dulls their flavor and
makes their texture mealy. Simply leave them out at room temperature away
from direct light.

I buy a bag of tomatoes every 7-10 days. If I leave them out, they
start to go bad.

Simple Simon said:

Charles Quinn said:

Note: Do not refrigerate tomatoes. Refrigeration dulls their flavor and
makes their texture mealy. Simply leave them out at room temperature away
from direct light.

I buy a bag of tomatoes every 7-10 days. If I leave them out, they
start to go bad.

Buy fewer tomatoes at one time then? Use 'em up faster and buy them more
frequently. I keep a few Roma tomatoes on my window sill ripening at
all times. They last, and we buy more as we use them so there are always
some around. Never do we put them in the refrigerator unless we've only
used one partially.

JoeSpareBedroom said:

"Julie Bove" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

www.nicerdicer.com

I chop vegetables at least once a day, but I only run the dishwasher twice a
week. This toy looks like it would be a pain to clean by hand, so it would
be useless to me.

It is actually very easy to clean by hand, since there are three
detachable pieces. Mind you, I have a shower nozzle on my kitchen tap,
which helps. That's not JML but is also very useful!