3.7.1 Knife Skills

• What is the first basic knife safety rule to ensure safe handling of knives?

  Always cut away from your body
• Keep your fingers curled under and out of the way of the blade
• Use a stable and flat surface for cutting to ensure safety.
• Why should knives be kept sharp to avoid applying too much pressure during cutting?

  For safety and efficiency
• Order the steps to follow when chopping vegetables safely

  1️⃣ Cut away from your body

  2️⃣ Keep fingers curled under

  3️⃣ Use a stable surface
• What are the four essential knife types every cook should have?

  Chef's, paring, utility, bread
• Match the knife type with its primary use:

  Chef's knife ↔️ Chopping, slicing, dicing large foods

  Paring knife ↔️ Peeling and trimming small items

  Utility knife ↔️ General-purpose cutting

  Bread knife ↔️ Slicing bread without crushing
• Where should you place your index finger when gripping a knife handle firmly for safe cutting?

  Along the top spine
• Curve your fingers into a claw-like position on the food
• Cutting with a smooth, rocking motion ensures safety and efficiency.
• What should you always cut away from to ensure safe handling of knives?

  Your body
• Use a stable and flat surface for cutting.
• Storing knives safely when not in use is essential for preventing accidents.
• What type of surface should be used for cutting to ensure safety?

  Stable and flat surface
• Keeping knives sharp reduces the need to apply too much pressure
• Knives should be stored safely when not in use.
• In which direction should you always cut when using a knife?

  Away from your body
• To avoid accidental cuts, keep your fingers curled under and out of the way of the blade
• Using a dull knife requires more pressure and increases the risk of slips.
• Match the knife type with its primary use:

  Chef's knife ↔️ Chopping and slicing

  Paring knife ↔️ Peeling small fruits

  Utility knife ↔️ General-purpose cutting

  Bread knife ↔️ Slicing loaves
• What is the typical blade length of a chef's knife?

  8-12 inches
• The paring knife has a short, sharp blade ideal for peeling fruits.
• What type of blade does a bread knife have?

  Serrated
• When using a knife, you should place your index finger along the top spine for control.
• Steps for dicing food ingredients

  1️⃣ Cut into planks

  2️⃣ Stack planks and cut into strips

  3️⃣ Dice strips into cubes
• What cutting technique is used to create even cubes?

  Dicing
• Different cutting techniques can enhance the presentation and cooking efficiency of a dish.
• Honing a knife aligns the blade's edge and maintains its sharpness
• How often should a knife be sharpened to restore its sharpness?

  Every few months
• Cutting boards should be disinfected after each use to prevent cross-contamination.
• Steps for cleaning and disinfecting cutting boards

  1️⃣ Scrub with hot, soapy water

  2️⃣ Rinse thoroughly

  3️⃣ Disinfect with a diluted bleach solution

  4️⃣ Air dry completely
• What is an example of a cross-contamination risk when using a wooden cutting board?

  Salmonella
• Mastering basic knife cuts is essential for culinary skills.
• To mince garlic, roughly chop it and then rock the knife over it until very fine