A Chef’s Knife Will Make Cooking a Pleasure

When I got married the first thing I did was go to a kitchen supply store to stock my kitchen. A set of knives was on my list, but, being a brand new bride, I had no idea what I needed or which ones to buy. Taking the salesperson’s advice, I purchased a set of stainless steel knives that I shortly threw away. They never kept an edge and were quite dangerous because they would not cut. The duller the knife the more pressure you use and the higher your risk of cutting yourself. When you have a dull knife cutting and chopping is a real chore and you easily get frustrated.

I was still working at a restaurant at the time so I asked the chef what knife to buy. His was always razor sharp. He recommended Henckels. I immediately purchased a 9” chef knife and a 3” paring knife and I still use them every single day, twenty-seven years later. Nothing will ever beat a high carbon stainless steel knife. Most nonprofessional knives do not have enough carbon to keep an edge so they get dull very quickly.

An excellent chef’s knife will make all of your cutting a pleasure. You use the heft, or weight, of the knife to do the hard work for you, you can get paper-thin slices if you need them, and mincing a pile of herbs is a snap. Purchase an 8”-10” knife because it gives you more cutting surface. Make sure it has a straight edge and not a serrated one. Serrated knives tear at food they do not slice food; the best bread knife, however, must be serrated. Always buy your knife in person so you can hold it in your hand; it must feel comfortable. A good professional knife is not cheap, but it is worth every penny you pay for it. If you take care of it, you will have it forever.

Never put your knife in a dishwasher, it will dull the blade. Be sure to buy a diamond sharpening steel to realign the blade after you use it. Once or twice a year, depending on how much you cook, get it professionally sharpened. Do not trust your knives to just anyone. If he does not know what he is doing, he can ruin a perfectly good knife. I only use www.mrleonardknifesharpener.com/. Henckels suggested him and his service and turn around time is excellent.

All you need to start is a chef’s knife and a paring knife. You can add other knives as time goes by. An artist has the necessary brushes and paints he needs at his fingertips to create his masterpiece. Treat yourself to the five tools you need to make cooking dinner a pleasure: an excellent, professional chef’s knife, a large wooden cutting board, a bench knife, measuring cups, and measuring spoons. Let’s Cook Tonight® wants you to cook; it is easier to do so if you have the tools.

Cooking is easier than you think and you are worth the time and effort it takes.

Simple cooking idea: Always cook chicken attached to its bone. The flavor the bone adds is incomparable.

Copyright ©2009 by Gigi Centaro. All Rights Reserved.