Take notes around the all about knives picture

Proper knife skills are essential when working in the kitchen Proper knife skills are essential when working in the kitchen. The better your knife skills, the more production you can accomplish and your values as an employee is increased. Good knife skills don’t just happen overnight. It takes hours of practice to handle a knife like a professional.

types of KNIVES……. Chef’s Knife (French Knife): -8-12 inches long -used for general cutting and chopping -MOST important knife

Paring Knife: - the most versatile of all knives - 2-3.5 inches - the most versatile of all knives - used for trimming fruits and vegetables

Serrated/Bread Knife Carving Knife Boning Knife

KNIFE safety…… 1. Keep knives sharp 2. Use a cutting board 3. Pay attention 4. Cut away from yourself and others 5. Use knives only for cutting 6. Don’t catch a falling knife 7. Don’t leave knives in a sink or in the pots and pans area 8. Clean knives carefully with the sharp edge away from you 9. Store knives in a safe place – not in drawers 10. Carry a knife properly a. hold it beside you, point down, sharp edge back and away from you b. don’t swing your arm c. let people know you are waking past them with a knife

holding the KNIFE…. 1. Grip the handle with all four fingers and hold the thumb gently but firmly against the blade’s spine. 2.Grip the handle with all four fingers and hold the thumb gently but firmly against the side of the blade. 3. Grip the handle with three fingers, rest the index finger flat against the blade on one side, and hold the thumb on the opposite side to give additional stability and control.

the guiding HAND…… The MONKEY Claw…. Feels uncomfortable at first…. but it is key!!

To make sure you have the MONKEY Claw……. Pretend you are holding an egg, length wise in the hand you would be holding the food with.

getting ready to CUT….. 1. Make sure you work surface is clean and organized. 2.Stabilize cutting board (place a damp dish towel under it)

the tip of the knife DOESN’T leave the cutting board the CUTTING motion…… ROCKING MOTION….. the tip of the knife DOESN’T leave the cutting board

Julienne types of CUTS…… ……MATCHSTICKS Step I. Trim the vegetable so that the sides are straight, making it easier to produce even cuts. Step 2. Slice the vegetable length wise to the desired thickness using parallel cuts. Step 3. Stack the slices and make even parallel cuts to produce a series of batons. Step 4. The finished result is a series of batons 1/8 inch x 1/8 inch x 1-2 inches http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YU1IBLypo0

Brunoise ….cubes Step I. Prepare the vegetable as you would for Julienne, making sure the sides are straight making it easier to produce even cuts. Step 2. Slice the vegetable length wise into 1/8 inch slices using a series of parallel cuts. Step 3. Cut each slice into baton shapes 1/8 inch wide. Step 4. Using a series of parallel cuts, cut the batons into 1/8 inch cubes.

Small Dice …..1/4 inch cube

Medium Dice …..1/2 inch cube

Chiffonade Step I. Wash and drain the vegetable well. …..1/8 inch strips Step I. Wash and drain the vegetable well. Step 2. Carefully remove any stalks. Step 3. Slice the cylinders of leaves crosswise into thin strips. Step 4. Stack and roll the leaves into a cylinder. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJEQFgfv7iw&feature=channel

Diagonal: Mince: to cut at an angle ¼” thick to chop as finely as possible

http://makezine.com/2010/01/06/kitchen_101_cutting/