Go-Go Gadget: Veggie Chopper

When it comes to stir-fry, salsa, carrot or potato dishes, chopping veggies up by hand can be quite time consuming, not to mention tough on the wrist. The vegetable chopper is a must-have for wedding registries and would make a very helpful housewarming gift. It can be manual or electric. A veggie chopper is not the same thing as a food processor; the chopper is designed for smaller servings and jobs whereas the processor can grind, puree, grate, shred and chop any kind of food. This small but mighty chopper doesn't take up much room in the kitchen, though, and it cuts down your prep time into a fraction.

To get your own veggie chopper (that chops more than just veggies), try Black & Decker's electric one-touch chopper or the Chef'n Veggie Hand-Powered Chopper, both under $20.

Pineapple Salsa: Pick up some pre-cut pineapple, a red pepper, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño and a clove of garlic. Prep the garlic by peeling off the skin and slice the tops off of the peppers. Trim up the onion into a workable portion and throw them into the chopper. Squeeze some lime juice over top, then dice it all together. Click here for detailed ingredients.

Chopper Potatoes: Using about 2 quarts of raw potatoes in the chopper, add diced green pepper and sweet onion. Mix the chopped goods into a bowl with grated cheese, melted butter, flour, hot milk and salt and pepper. Then transfer into a casserole dish and bake for up to 90 minutes at 350 degrees. Click here for measurements of the butter, flour, milk, cheese and butter.

>> Read more: Connection Recipe: Hearty Sweet Potato Chili

Peach Preserves: A delicious and easy homemade jam you can use with yogurt or top of your favorite treat, you can have that sweet peach flavor all year round. You'll need about a dozen peaches, boiled for no more than 45 seconds or so, peeled and chopped. Throw the naked peaches into the chopper, then add them into a large stock pot. Add sugar (or a skinny swap with pectin). Let the sugar dissolve, then bring to a light boil and let cool. Repeat the boil and cooling process up to five times before jarring. Makes for a wonderful gift! For more on canning peaches, click here.

Rainbow Salad: Beets, cabbages, pear, pumpkin seeds and parsley make a colorful and crunchy salad. Pre-cut all of them into manageable chunks for the chopper and grind away. Serve with your favorite vinaigrette or make your own with one of Skinny Mom's approved homemade dressings. To get a better grasp on ratios, click here for details.

If you're feeling inspired by salads, try a leafless combo with this Connection Recipe: Israeli Couscous Salad. Yum!

Oat Flour for Granola Bars: For the flour, you'll need your most trusted oats and the chopper. Toss about 1 ½ cups into the chopper and grind away until it becomes powdery. Mix with whole oats, maple sugar, pecans (also grinded up in the chopper), dark choco chips, crumbly dates, raisins, cinnamon, coconut oil, maple syrup, flaxseed meal, vanilla extract and cool water. Whew! Or heck, toss your favorite granola bar goodies in and experiment with the combos. Click here for a better break down of homemade granola bars.