Vintage Pastry Cutter with Red Handle

vintage Ekco Chromium Plated Dough Blender, a kitchen tool used for blending solid fats like butter or shortening into flour when making pastries. The tool has a handle and a series of curved metal blades. These blades are pressed down to cut the fat into the flour, creating the desired crumbly texture. Here's a breakdown of its uses and history: Function: The primary function of a dough blender is to "cut in" solid fats into flour, which is a crucial step in making flaky pastries like pie crusts, biscuits, and scones. How it works: The blades of the blender break down the fat into small, even pieces that are coated with flour. This process prevents the fat from melting and creates layers in the dough that result in a flaky texture when baked. Other uses: Besides mixing pastry dough, dough blenders can also be used for mashing cooked vegetables, blending ingredients for oatmeal bars, or even cutting soft fruits and vegetables. Vintage appeal: The Ekco brand is known for its vintage kitchen tools, and these blenders are often collected for their classic design and functionality. The pictured blender has a wooden handle, often seen in mid-century designs. Alternatives: While a dough blender is a handy tool, alternatives include using two butter knives or a food processor to achieve a similar effect.