Your Pizza Cutter Unexpectedly Comes In Handy For Herbs

Inventive ways to use standard kitchen equipment are nothing new. Did you know that you can actually use a knife to pit olives? In fact, there are plenty of tips and tricks to discover in the kitchen. For example, did you know that the pizza cutter comes unexpectedly handy when it comes to slicing herbs?

For far too long the pizza cutter has only been used to slice through thick crusts on the occasional movie night, but no longer will it be classed as a one-trick pony. Composed of a single sharp wheel attached to a handle, the pizza cutter possesses a wide range of applications that extend far beyond its primary association with pizza. For effortlessly sliced herbs, you should actually grab your pizza cutter over your knife. This little trick not only saves time, but also ensures that herbs are evenly sliced. The rolling motion may also alleviate unnecessary strain on your wrists, so why not give it a go?

Cutting herbs with a knife may feel like the most convenient way to slice up your dill or parsley, but a pizza wheel is actually just as efficient: It's a handy tool for chopping herbs into the ideal size. So, how exactly does this trick work? First, always make sure to wash your herbs. Bunch them up and simply roll the pizza cutter backward and forwards. This will result in a chiffonade shape, which closely resembles small ribbons. You'll often find this shape of herbs sprinkled atop pasta, pizza, or even omelets. 

If you find your chopping board is slipping at all due to the rolling motion of your cutter, you can always try this simple hack to keep it in place. And as an added bonus, using the rolling technique for cutting herbs may also be gentler on your wrists when compared to the conventional chopping motion, which can cause increased and repetitive stress.

Home cooks will also be pleased to learn that cutting herbs is only the beginning when it comes to putting that nifty pizza wheel to use. It can also be used to cut up vegetables or meats. Imagine easily rolling through crunchy lettuce for a salad or taco, or slicing ham into thin strips for an omelet. A pizza wheel can also be used to cut dishes that are much more obvious, like homemade doughs or quesadillas (try out our delicious chicken and vegetable recipe while you're at it!).

Not a fan of crusts on bread? Use that pizza cutter to slice them right off! Need to delicately cut squares of ravioli? A pizza wheel is your answer. Even creating the perfect lattice top for a pie is made simpler with a pizza cutter. If you can imagine it might work, then you should give it a go. There are, of course, limits to what your pizza wheel can achieve, but these depend on the relative size of your pizza cutter. However, now you know how handy this small wheel is, so it's time to get experimenting. First stop, your fresh herbs.