A good knife is the most important thing that you can have in the kitchen. You can make the argument for other tools, but you won’t get much prep work or cooking done without a knife. A good knife will make cooking an easier, faster process and you might be surprised at how much of a difference this can make.
The book Knives Cooks Love is not just about choosing a good knife. Instead, the first part of the book is designed to be a whole introduction to knives. It goes over how knives are made, the various types of knives that you’ll encounter in a kitchen and what they’re used for, and it also talks about the maintenance you’ll need to do to keep your knives at their best. It’s nice to know what knives are best suited for each task and you’ll feel more confident with a little instruction and a little practice – something that most at-home cooks never really get.
The next section of the book is all about technique and full of recipes that you can make while practicing your knife skills. Dicing avocados for guacamole and slicing apples to get just the right consistency in a pie, for instance, are both useful things to practice. here are many photos, both of the knives and the different cutting techniques described, to help you along. When you get to the recipes, you’ll find beautiful photos that illustrate how everything should come together in a finished dish. There are not a tremendous number of recipes in this book, as much of the real estate is devoted specifically to a discussion of knives, but there is a wide range that includes appetizers, salads, main dishes and desserts. All are easy to prepare and have been chosen to let your practice those knife skills, whether you’re making the caramelized onion tart featured in the book’s cover or shaving chocolate for the homemade hot fudge sauce.
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