Kitchen skills
Knife Skills for Everyday Vegetables
Place a damp towel under the board to reduce sliding. Make a flat surface on round produce before slicing it.
What you need
- A stable board
- A sharp knife
- A damp towel
- Washed vegetables
Put it into practice
Curl fingertips away from the edge and work slowly. Consistent pieces cook more evenly than a mix of very thin and very thick cuts.
The detail that makes a difference
Use a knife appropriate to the job and keep it maintained. Never try to catch a falling knife; step back and let it fall.
Make it work in your kitchen
Start with a small batch and taste as you go. Keep a note of the ingredients and proportions you prefer so you can repeat the result. For substitutions, consider texture and cooking time as well as flavor; a softer ingredient often needs less time than a firm one.
These are practical cooking guides, not laboratory-tested recipes. Cooking times vary with ingredients, equipment and portion size. Follow package instructions where applicable.