KNIFE BASICS Flashcards
KNIFE BASICS
SPECIFIC KNIVES ARE PERFORMED TO SERVE A VARIETY OF TASKS, WHICH IS WHY YOU NEED SEVERAL KNIVES.
What are the serrations on a bread knife for?
Grabbing on to craggy surfaces (such as those on crusty bread) much better than the smooth edge of a chef’s knife.
Three main reasons to keep your knives sharp.
- Sharp knives are safer than dull knives, which are much more likely to slip and cut your hand.
- Sharp knives cut through food more quickly than dull knives.
- Sharp knives produce food that is more evenly cut than dull knives; food can tastes better - big chunks of garlic vs fine.
The blade angle on most European-style knives.
About 20º
How fast can an edge dull? How do you fix the problem?
After just a few minutes of use, the edge can roll over, making the blade feel slightly dull. The wedge becomes less effective and the cook needs to supply more energy to push the blade through. Running the blade up and down a steel returns the blade to its original sharpness.
Will a dull knife bruise food as it cuts?
Yes