Some Smart Scissors

Look at the Toss and Chop and its space saving properties are clear -- it turns any bowl, whether on a counter or in a lap -- into a work station. After a hand injury, the ergonomic benefits of this odd looking tool also became clear. When holding a chef knife (and typing) was still too awkward, I was able to make chop salads, do rustic cut pesto and salsa and prep items for recipes. A little time is needed to develop the technique, but in a few attempts, I was able to get the ingredients for a chopped salad to nearly the same size for a presentable dish. The makers, Silvermark, suggest putting all ingredients in the bowl to chop together. I experimented with putting the harder ingredients, such as cold chicken breast and pecans, in first to give them a head start. Then, the additional chopping of greens blends all the ingredients together well. This merging of flavors is what sets a chopped salad apart, after all. This tool, with stay-sharp blades, will appeal to cooks with fledgling knife skills, those with certain physical challenges and the generally gadget-happy.

$21.99 AT SILVERMARK