5 Mistakes In Using A Knife To Cook At Home

Illustration of the fault of using a knife for cooking at home (Freepik/senivpetro)

YOGYAKARTA In cooking, a knife is an important tool for cutting and slicing cooking ingredients. But many people who are not chefs underestimate the knife. Of course, using a sharp knife requires the right technique. Like chefs who consider the knife as an extension of their hands and fingers to process all spices ranging from small to tough cut meat.

Knives in the kitchen of the house are equally important. If a chef distinguishes the type and shape of a knife for certain purposes, home cooking only takes a few important knives to complete his duties in the kitchen. Accidents in the kitchen often occur because they fail to use a knife. So that accidents and fingers don't get injured because when cutting cooking ingredients using a knife, recognize the fault of using a knife that should be avoided.

At culinary school, chef instructors clean their knives by lifting a piece of paper and slicing it neatly. If the cut-off of the paper with a knife produces compact and tangled pieces, it means a blunt knife and must be honed before use. Launching Taste of Home, Thursday, December 26, the sharpness of the knife is important because cutting is more efficient and less dangerous than using a blunt knife.

Sharp knife requires less power. A knife that is as sharp as a silet with a thin cross section, will be easier to slide so that it requires less manual pressure. Even if there is a slip, the power used by the knife will be much less.

In addition, the sharper the knife prevents food from rolling or slipping. Sharp knives also make the activity of cutting vegetables or fruit or chili even faster and easier. To keep the knife blades sharp, it is important to have a knife sharpener. Keep the knife clean and store it in the knife block or with a shield to protect the sharp edge of the knife.

Most people are persuaded to buy knives that exceed their skills. Or they buy cheap knives with low quality. Then choose a knife that is easy to sharpen, stay sharp, and the price is affordable. It is also important to choose a knife handle that is comfortable and not easy to escape from the blades.

Storing a knife is not allowed to sit in a magnetic seat. The right way to put a knife, place it right at the end of the knife that is not used to cut. Supposedly, when inserting a knife blades into its seat it is silent. Another way, don't keep the knife in a place where the tool is facing down because it can bend or build up the end. Better, keep the knife in a flat seat.

Cutting or slicing sour foods is recommended to use a jagged knife. The goal is not to break the tip of the knife.

After washing the knife, after being used to cut or slice, dry it with a cloth. Don't let the knife stay wet after washing it because it can build the blades and cause warranty. Launch Real Simple, of course, don't let your knife be submerged in the sink overnight. Wash and dry quickly for the best.

That's the mistake that needs to be avoided in using a knife in the kitchen. In addition to paying attention to how to use a knife properly, save in the right place and be safe from the reach of small children or pets at home.