Without a doubt, prepping food is the most time consuming component of the entire cooking process in which you are required to be in the kitchen. It is not only time consuming, but it is immensely important. If the food is not prepped properly, it will negative impact the end product. One component of the food prep process in which most novice cooks make common mistake is when cutting or chopping vegetables. Following are six of the biggest mistakes that you are likely to make when chopping vegetables.
1. Choosing the Wrong Knife
When you are chopping vegetables, it is best to use a wide-bladed, heavy chef’s knife. The added weight will help you to power through some of those tough vegetables, including carrots and onions, reducing the amount of energy you will have to exert in the process.
2. Using a Dull Knife
Not only does using a dull knife mean that you will have to work harder, from a physical perspective, you will also end up with vegetable pieces with ragged edges. Most importantly, using a dull knife increases the risk of you hurting yourself.
3. Working with the Wrong Type of Cutting Board
Outside of the type of cutlery used, having the right type of cutting board is the most prevalent element of food prep. Choosing the right cutting board will preserve your knives, as well as reduce safety risks. Bulk Cutting Boards specializes in providing wholesale cutting boards that will not only be safe for your knives, but they will have the durability to ensure longevity.
4. Not Creating a Flat Surface on the Vegetables
When you have vegetables that are round, they will tend to roll, making them more difficult to chop. In order to keep them steady, you should slice them in half to create a flat surface, keeping them stable while you cut. Always cut onions in half through the stem end.
5. Exposing Your Fingernails
A common mistake is exposing your fingernails on the hand that is being used to stabilize the vegetable. You should always make sure that you have your fingers rolled back underneath, which will protect them from being accidentally cut.
6. Failing to Cut All Vegetables the Same Size
Remember, you want even cooking with every meal, so, when you are cutting vegetables it is important to make the size of the pieces equal. When you cut them unequally, you will either have to overcook the smaller pieces, or undercook the larger ones. Start by making horizontal and vertical cuts that are equally spaced, and then cut crosswise to create a uniform cut.
While many cooks give little thought to the food prep process, especially when it comes to the vegetables, how the food is prepared will go a long way in determining how well the meal will turn out. Following the tips that are listed here will go a long way in improving the overall quality and taste of your meals.