Opinions, herb mill gadget?

[BarbaraL]

Loved the "GreatKitchenGadget" thread -- it inspired me to check the Williams Sonoma catalog. Anyone have the WC gadget called an herb mill? It's a little stainless steel thing; you put fresh herbs in a little hopper and blades slice/dice/chop the herbs up. I lvoe fresh parsley, basel, cilantro, etc but usually make a mess chopping it or cutting it with scissors. Anyone have this gadget? Is it good? Thanks!

[lorilei]

Can you really use it for /fresh/ herbs? I always thought herb mills were for dried herbs... now I'm interested!!

[Mamasue]

I have a herb grinder but not that brand. I bought it at a yard sale and love it for grinding cardamom seeds. I love the intense flavor of cardamom from the pods rather than the ground in jar....just not the same. Anyway, I have never used it for fresh herbs and don't think it is meant for fresh...but I could be wrong. When it comes to chopping fresh herbs I would rather use my henschel knives. If chopping is needed in large quantities I would use my mini processor. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[shoyski]

LynnSC,I have the WS herb mill and have had no success whatsoever. It just seems to mash the herbs, most specifically, basil. Please, please tell me what I am doing wrong!
Thanks!

[LynnSC]

I have the herb mill you are referring to. I bought it at the William Sonoma (sp?) shop at a mall while on vacation a couple of weeks ago. I personally LOVE it! I grow herbs and have used it several times. There were no directions with it so I assumed you could use fresh ones and I have. They sometimes get stuck in it but I just brush them out. It is so much easier for me. I don't enjoy mincing small herbs such as thyme which I have used a lot lately in a rice recipe I like. It is perfect for me! I hope this helps.
Lynn

Note: I am assuming this is the hand held one that looks sort of like a hand held cheese grater used in some restaurants . You hold it with one hand and turn the handle with the other.....

[This message has been edited by LynnSC (edited 06-23-2000).]

[Vanessa]

My mom gave me that herb mill. You crank it and your herbs come minced or chopped. I forgot I had it til you mentioned. Most of the time I just use a knife. I better pull my herb gadget out so I remember...:)

[BarbaraL]

Lynn, that's the one! The picture in the catalog shows fresh parsley coming out of the top (that's what caught my attention). Looks like you stuff the herbs in the top and crank a handle or something.
Thank you all for your responses!

[BethH]

I've heard that the secret to the herb mill is making sure the herbs are very dry before trying to 'mill' them. That may be the difference between minced herbs and smushed herbs.

[shoyski]

Excellent suggestion, BethH. I'll give it a try. I really want the dang thing to work so there's less prep time.