Knives to Have in the Kitchen
Shopping for kitchen knives can be overwhelming; there are dozens of different types of knives and brands to choose from. However, it's important to note that even the most advanced chefs recommend having only three basic knives in the kitchen: a chef's knife, a paring knife and a serrated knife. These knives should be of high quality and regularly sharpened, and they can be used for almost any recipe home cooks want to take on. Does this Spark an idea?
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Qualities To Look For In A Knife
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Knives are one kitchen utensil you should splurge on; higher quality knives will last longer and will help you chop and cut more efficiently. First, look for the quality of the steel. You should aim to purchase a high-carbon, stainless-steel knife; this will ensure your knife is strong and can resist breakage and rusting. You should also evaluate how the knife was cut. It's best to buy a forged knife, which was formed through a process of repeated heating, folding and cooling and is denser and offers better balance. Finally, the knife should have a full tang, meaning that the steel extends beyond the blade and the handle is formed around it.
Chef's Knife
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The chef's knife will be one of your most valuable tools in the kitchen. A chef's knife has a wide, triangular blade that forms a center tip. This knife can be used for most cutting tasks, including slicing, dicing, mincing, chopping and julienne cutting. It can also be used for cutting meat or smashing garlic. Chef's knives generally range in size from 6 to 10 inches long; the best length is typically 8 inches long. You will need to decide between a French and German style blade when you're shopping for a chef's knife; the French style is better suited for slicing with its longer, thinner blade, while the German style is intended for chopping with its short, wide blade.
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Paring Knife
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A paring knife looks like a miniature version of the chef's knife. It has a slightly curved edge and ranges in size from 2 3/4 to 4 inches long. However, the paring knife is used for different tasks. It's mainly used for lightly chopping smaller ingredients, such as garlic or basil leaves. The paring knife is also used to shape, cut or peel foods. You should look for a paring knife that has a sturdy handle made of rubber, stainless steel or wood.
Serrated Knife
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A serrated knife is long and thin with a scalloped edge. This type of knife is used to cut foods that have a tough outer skin or crust but are softer on the inside. Serrated knives with 8- to 10-inch blades are intended to cut bread and should be able to slice through a loaf in one swift stroke. Knives with shorter blades (5 to 6 inches) can be used to cut tomatoes or other fruits or vegetables.
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References
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