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| What to learn basic knife skills? |
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| Words of wisdom |
Marinade
Guide on how to marinade:
Types of marinades:
- To marinade means to submerge food in liquid to:
- Give it flavor
- Break down tough meats
Guide on how to marinade:
- Marinade in refrigeration.
- The duration of the marinade will depend on the thickness of the food that will be marinated.
- Use containers that resist acid like, crystal, stainless steal and some plastics.
- Use a sachet bag if you need to remove the herbs.
- Cover the food completely with the marinade.
- Try to include acid (vinegar, citrus juices, etc) in the mixture, this will help prevent bacteria growth and also help tenderize meats.
- Make sure that the marinade taste well; this is the flavor that will be added to the item that is being marinated.
- You may use any type of flavorings, herbs, spices, vinegar, oils, wine, juice, liquor, anything.
Types of marinades:
- Glaze: Its is used to season the meat while it cooks, it can also be used as a marinade and as a sauce.
- Rub: Used to season beef, it is done by creating a layer of seasonings around the meat.
- Marinade: To cover food completely with liquid and refrigerate for certain amount of time.
- Salsa: This type of sauce is served at room temperature and served over the meat.
safety tips and hints about using a knife properly. First of all, check recommendations from sources like Consumers Reports and Cook's Illustrated. Then buy the best quality
knives that you can afford, that have no gaps at the joint where the blade and handle meet, with a finely ground blade. A good knife should feel heavy and solid. Finally, learn how
There are five basic types of kitchen knives:
• CHEF'S KNIFE
A chef's knife is usually the largest knife in the kitchen, with a wide blade that is 8" to 10" long. Choose a knife that feels good and balanced in your hand. The knife should have a
full tang. This means that the blade should go all the way through the handle for the best wear and stability.
• PARING KNIFE
Paring knives are generally 2-1/2-4" in length. The most often used knife in the kitchen. It is ideal for peeling and coring fruits and vegetables, cutting small objects, slicing, and
other hand tasks.
• UTILITY KNIFE
Utility knives are longer than paring knives but smaller than chef's knives, usually around 5-8" long. They are also called sandwich knives because they are just the right side for
slicing meats and cheeses. I have several utility knives in my kitchen as 'extra' knives.
• BONING KNIFE
This type of knife has a more flexible blade to curve around meat and bone. Generally 4-5" long.
• BREAD KNIFE
Bread knives are usually serrated. Most experts recommend a serrated knife that has pointed serrations instead of wavy serrations for better control and longer knife life. I have
two bread knives in my kitchen - a long 10" knife that's great for cutting whole loaves, and a 6" knife perfect for cutting sandwich buns. You must use a sawing motion when using
a serrated knife.
Knives are made out of several types of material. High carbon stainless steel is the most expensive and will last the longest. These knives will not stain and holds a sharp edge
longer than other steel types. Ceramic knives are fairly new. These knives don't need sharpening for years, and should be sharpened by an expert when they do wear down. Only
use a ceramic knife on a cutting board - never on another ceramic, plastic or glass surface. They're that sharp!
Knife handles are made of wood or a plastic composite. Both are good choices. The only difference is in cleaning and maintenance. Knives with wood handles deteriorate more
quickly when cleaned in the dishwasher. I know experts recommend not using a dishwasher for washing knives, but I do it all the time. I'm not keen on washing sharp blades by
hand.
SHARPENING KNIVES
A knife that is not sharp is dangerous. It can slip off the food you're cutting and easily cut your fingers instead. A steel should be part of your knife collection. This long, round
object sharpens knives by straightening out the edge. Take a look at using a steel to see how to correctly sharpen your knives on a steel. Hold the knife in your dominant hand
and the steel in the other, with the steel point pressed into a solid waist-high surface. Hold the knife base at the top of the steel at a 20 degree angle. Slowly draw the knife down
the length of the steel, pulling the knife back so the entire blade, from base to tip, moves against the steel, as if you were slicing off pieces of the steel. Repeat on the other side.
Do this five or six times, then rinse the knife off and dry immediately. Make sure you sharpen each side the same number of times to retain the knife's balance.
USING A KNIFE
Using kitchen knives requires following a few rules and becoming comfortable using your hands in a different way. Seeing pictures about correctly using a knife for different
kitchen tasks is the best way to learn. Take a look at All Recipes Knife Skills, and How to Chiffonade, Julienne and Shred, and Using a Chef's Knife.
The most important tip I can give you is to chop slowly and carefully. Always cut away from your body. Make sure your hands are dry and the surface you're working on it nonslip.
Make sure that you curl your fingers under on the hand holding the food. This takes a while to get used to, but will become second nature with practice. If your fingers are curled
under, the chances are good you will never cut yourself. Watch what you're doing at all times. And keep kids and pets out of the kitchen when you're working with knives!
CARING FOR YOUR KNIVES
Store your knives in a knife block. When knives are thrown into a drawer, they will become dull more quickly, plus there's a good chance you'll cut yourself reaching in to retrieve
one. Most manufacturers recommend that high quality knives be washed by hand and dried immediately. I have full tang, wooden handle knives and I have always washed them in
my dishwasher. My knives don't look new, but they still work fine, with frequent sharpening.
Need to learn more about knifes???? Cocifacil the ez way to learn to cook like a chef.
knives that you can afford, that have no gaps at the joint where the blade and handle meet, with a finely ground blade. A good knife should feel heavy and solid. Finally, learn how
There are five basic types of kitchen knives:
• CHEF'S KNIFE
A chef's knife is usually the largest knife in the kitchen, with a wide blade that is 8" to 10" long. Choose a knife that feels good and balanced in your hand. The knife should have a
full tang. This means that the blade should go all the way through the handle for the best wear and stability.
• PARING KNIFE
Paring knives are generally 2-1/2-4" in length. The most often used knife in the kitchen. It is ideal for peeling and coring fruits and vegetables, cutting small objects, slicing, and
other hand tasks.
• UTILITY KNIFE
Utility knives are longer than paring knives but smaller than chef's knives, usually around 5-8" long. They are also called sandwich knives because they are just the right side for
slicing meats and cheeses. I have several utility knives in my kitchen as 'extra' knives.
• BONING KNIFE
This type of knife has a more flexible blade to curve around meat and bone. Generally 4-5" long.
• BREAD KNIFE
Bread knives are usually serrated. Most experts recommend a serrated knife that has pointed serrations instead of wavy serrations for better control and longer knife life. I have
two bread knives in my kitchen - a long 10" knife that's great for cutting whole loaves, and a 6" knife perfect for cutting sandwich buns. You must use a sawing motion when using
a serrated knife.
Knives are made out of several types of material. High carbon stainless steel is the most expensive and will last the longest. These knives will not stain and holds a sharp edge
longer than other steel types. Ceramic knives are fairly new. These knives don't need sharpening for years, and should be sharpened by an expert when they do wear down. Only
use a ceramic knife on a cutting board - never on another ceramic, plastic or glass surface. They're that sharp!
Knife handles are made of wood or a plastic composite. Both are good choices. The only difference is in cleaning and maintenance. Knives with wood handles deteriorate more
quickly when cleaned in the dishwasher. I know experts recommend not using a dishwasher for washing knives, but I do it all the time. I'm not keen on washing sharp blades by
hand.
SHARPENING KNIVES
A knife that is not sharp is dangerous. It can slip off the food you're cutting and easily cut your fingers instead. A steel should be part of your knife collection. This long, round
object sharpens knives by straightening out the edge. Take a look at using a steel to see how to correctly sharpen your knives on a steel. Hold the knife in your dominant hand
and the steel in the other, with the steel point pressed into a solid waist-high surface. Hold the knife base at the top of the steel at a 20 degree angle. Slowly draw the knife down
the length of the steel, pulling the knife back so the entire blade, from base to tip, moves against the steel, as if you were slicing off pieces of the steel. Repeat on the other side.
Do this five or six times, then rinse the knife off and dry immediately. Make sure you sharpen each side the same number of times to retain the knife's balance.
USING A KNIFE
Using kitchen knives requires following a few rules and becoming comfortable using your hands in a different way. Seeing pictures about correctly using a knife for different
kitchen tasks is the best way to learn. Take a look at All Recipes Knife Skills, and How to Chiffonade, Julienne and Shred, and Using a Chef's Knife.
The most important tip I can give you is to chop slowly and carefully. Always cut away from your body. Make sure your hands are dry and the surface you're working on it nonslip.
Make sure that you curl your fingers under on the hand holding the food. This takes a while to get used to, but will become second nature with practice. If your fingers are curled
under, the chances are good you will never cut yourself. Watch what you're doing at all times. And keep kids and pets out of the kitchen when you're working with knives!
CARING FOR YOUR KNIVES
Store your knives in a knife block. When knives are thrown into a drawer, they will become dull more quickly, plus there's a good chance you'll cut yourself reaching in to retrieve
one. Most manufacturers recommend that high quality knives be washed by hand and dried immediately. I have full tang, wooden handle knives and I have always washed them in
my dishwasher. My knives don't look new, but they still work fine, with frequent sharpening.
Need to learn more about knifes???? Cocifacil the ez way to learn to cook like a chef.
| Culinary Library you will find a herb and spice encyclopedia and a culinary dictionary |
| Want to learn basic knife skills? for more info click here |
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| New Video Recipe |
| Want more recipes? Cocifacil the book (click here for more info) Filled with fast and easy recipes $15.99 |
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