So... you decided to make dinner for your family. you got your cutting board out, your veggies are nice and washed and you're ready to start! Hold it! As fun cooking could be, it is not so fun to leave everything on th stove and rush to the bathroom and get a band-aid.
Injuries are likely to happen, no matter what you so, but here are some tips to reduce there amount and severity.
1) Stabilize your cutting board.
Yes. it's something you can and should do. There are three main reasons that people get cur during cooking, and unstable cutting board is one of them. In order to prevent your cutting board from rocking while cutting, simply place a damp cloth or kitchen towel underneath. The most common thing used in professional kitchens is a wet paper towel. Put the cloth or towel on your work surface and your cutting board on top of that. Try moving your cutting board, if it doesn't move - great! You're set to go. If it does - just add another paper towel or a fold to your cloth.
2) Get your knife nice and sharp
This may sound really stupid but hear me out. The way a good knife is structured is that the two sides of the blade curve to form a pointy blade, That is what makes the first cut letting the rest of the blade in. If this part is blunt - your knife would not cut or would do so with difficulty. Both are not recommended and dangerous. It is best to sharpen your knifes every now and then.
Note: The best way to get your knife nice and sharp is with a whet stone or a steel rod, as often shown on cooking shows. the thing is that using those incorrectly can harm your knife. If you aren't a trained cook, I recommend getting a simple knife sharpener and using that.
3) Watch your fingers!
When you cut, you want your fingers to hold down whatever you're cutting while "guiding" your blade. To do this, you should have your blade running along the knuckle of your third finger while the tips of all your fingers are curled up. It should look almost like you are holding a tennis ball, or forming a claw.
Another important thing is your grip. Pinch the end of your blade, the one closer to the handle, with your thumb and index finger, and wrap the handle with your middle, ring and pinky fingers. This will guarantee a good grip. DO NOT place your index finger on top of the blade as this can cause damage over time. Moreover, it'll limit the movement of your hand.
I've attached a video by "Tasty" that demonstrates this and some other knife skills that are good to know.
4) Watch your knife!
Your knife has only one good reason to leave your work surface: It's getting a wash in the sink. OK, I know that you'll be moving around with your knife, and that's fine. But here is one thing you have to remember: Your knife is sharp. Therefore, when walking with it. it is best to bring it close to your leg while the tip points down. That way, if you run into someone else working with you in the kitchen, they wouldn't get stabbed.
It is also a good practice to wash and dry your knifes right away. If you leave them in the sink, someone is likely to get heart from them. Plus, drying them right away is good maintenance of your Knife.
5) Prepare a place for hot dishes
This might sound obvious but it is a common mistake in the kitchen. You take a look at your oven and the delicious satay chicken (look it up. It's amazing!) looks amazing, and smells like peanut heaven, and it's time to take it out. STOP! Did you clear room on your counter and put down a trivet? Always make sure you have a close by place to put down your dishes as they come out of the oven or off the stove. You do not want to walk around your kitchen carrying hot dishes potentially spilling or dropping them on yourself. I'm sure it'll be redundant to mention using oven mitts?
6) Say "Away"
Always flip away. When frying or grilling, you often need to flip your ingredients. Make sure to flip them so that you pick up from the side nearest to you and put down on the furthest side from you. This will prevent any oil or fire splashing or coming towards you. Additionally, when removing a lid from a pot - always lift up the furthest side first. This will let out that burst of steam waiting to escape, and it would not harm you. Although it might seem that it doesn't happen allot, steam can easily give you a burn, which is never a pleasant thing.
That's it for today. Back in my first days of culinary school, the first thing we learned in the kitchen was safety. Yes, we learned these rules. These might take some time to make into a habit, but this can really help.
Hope I helped, and that I was clear.
I will be happy to answer any question you have!
Stay Safe!
Noam
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