Do you really need another kitchen tool? Yes, when the new tool dramatically eases a kitchen job. Mario Batali’s Mozzarella Slicer is so much more than a tool for making salad caprese. Essentially the slicer is an oversized egg slicer with wire cutters, so it can also make a lot of egg salad in a jiffy. Plus it perfectly slices rounds of goat cheese, which is notoriously difficult to slice because the cheese sticks to the knife. Of course, the mozzarella slicer does slice fresh mozzarella beautifully. After slicing, turn the cheese 90 degrees and cut again to make perfect dices of cheese for lasagne or topping pizza.

Salad Caprese

• 1 ball of fresh mozzarella
• 1 ripe tomato, peeled
• lots of fresh basil leaves
• salt and pepper to taste
• vinaigrette of 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar whisked with 3 tablespoons olive oil

Slice the mozzarella and tomatoes with the Batali slicer. Alternatively stack the cheese, tomatoes, and basil. Dress with vinaigrette.

Mozzarella Slicer on Sale until May 25, 2007 for $21.95, regularly $27.95.