Crushing stuff. Some recipes call for crushed ingredients (crushed Oreos, crushed graham crackers, etc.). You can do this a couple ways. I have a small Black and Decker food processor that basically pulverizes the crap out of cookies or whatever, and is perfect. It’s something like a thousand years old, it’s a workhorse and it’s amazing – it’s called a Handy Chopper and I highly recommend it. I use it all the time.
BUT, if you don’t have a food processor, all you need is a Ziploc bag and a rolling pin. Put whatever it is you want to crush in the bag, seal the bag (but leave a little open so air can escape) and then roll over it with the pin a few times. It’s pretty simple, pretty mess-free and you basically get to break stuff with your hands.. The bag is shot after this, but you did it without having to buy another piece of kitchen equipment.
I use the Handy Chopper often enough that I definitely think it’s worth buying, but if you don’t have the room, funds or desire…the rolling pin definitely does the trick.
Ugly Desserts 