If you just happen to have a hamburger press or know someone who does, borrow it and try it with the beef and potato croquettes recipe. Line the bottom tray with wax paper, parchment paper or even plastic wrap, so you can remove the finished patty without ruining it. Using a press like this will make the finished patties a consistent size and thickness. I use one when I make beef & potato croquettes. It helps to keep the cooking times consistent and minimizes burned patties.
You could find these single cut sheets in a supermarket or Wal-mart but I'll bet you're more likely to find them in a restaurant supply shop. They are 5 inch by 10 inch sheets that have been pre-folded and placed into a dispenser box so that they pop up like kleenex. This are great for keeping individual portions separated so that they don't stick together if you happen to stack them. These sheets also work great as an alternative to paper towel in covering your foods as they heat in the microwave. The waxy surface keeps most foods from sticking and tends to keep the steam close to the food so that it doesn’t dry out so fast.
If you like to bake, then this is the gadget for you. Parchment paper can be used to line baking pans and cookie sheet. It's meant to keep the food from sticking to the bottom of the pans. And that it does. But the biggest benefit of using parchment paper comes from the clean up time. It saves you from soaking and scrubbing baked on anything since it's stuck to the paper and not the pan. You can find rolls of this stuff in the household goods aisles of your local Wal-mart. Some big chain supermarkets may also carry it but usually at higher prices than the Wal-mart.
To speed up the process of making rice balls, the Japanese have developed several molds in varying sizes and designs. I currently have one that's about 6 inches long and is triangle shaped. I have seen diamond and heart-shaped ones at my local Japanese grocery store.
