Camila Takes A Knife Skills Class with Kevin Dundon

Below are some of the skills and tips that we all can start using in the kitchen and the LIVE video so you can check it out!

Here are the must-know tips from Kevin: 

Tip #1
Picking a knife: Make sure the knife you are using fits in your hand comfortably. If you are thinking about buying a set of knives, go to a store where you can hold them to get a feel for them. Purchase one knife in that line to bring home and try out for a couple of weeks to make sure you love it before buying the set.

Tip #2
Two essential knives to have in the kitchen, if you only were to pick two: Cooks knife + Boning knife.

Tip #3
Sharpening your knives every day is important. Use sharpening steel that is the same brand as your knives, and follow the manufacture directions for sharpening.

Tip #4
Cut carrots, zucchini, or any other long and round vegetable in half lengthwise. Place the flat side down on the board. This will steady the vegetable and prevent rocking, making it safer for you when cutting. Keep the tip of the knife on the board when slicing.

Tip #5
Bread Slicing: Use a serrated knife and do not press down with your knife on the bread. Use a back-and-forth motion and let the knife do the work.

Tip #6
Cutting a Mango: On the length side of the mango, slice into the mango until your knife stops in the pit. Turning the mango and knife 360 degrees, so you cut all the way around the pit. Remove your knife, and then twist and pull the mango apart. The pit will be left in the other side, and you can use a paring knife or a spoon to scoop out the pit.

Tip #7
Slicing /Dicing an Onion: Peel the onion and slice the onion in half, tip to the root side. So, the flat side of the onion will rest on the board. You can slice the onion or create vertical and horizontal cuts for easy dicing.

Tip #8
Mincing garlic: Peel and finely slice the garlic on a board with a chef’s knife. Add a sprinkling of rock or flake salt, and using the side of the knife, press the salt into the garlic. Press back and forth a few times, and the garlic will break down into a paste.

Tip #9
Keeping your guacamole green: Place the avocado pit in your guacamole until serving. This will keep your guacamole green and fresh. Remove pit before serving : )

Tip #10
Honey – Local is always best.

More about Kevin Dundon: He is a multiple cookbook author and had a great cooking series on PBS. He and his wife own the Dunbrody House in the southeast of Ireland, which is a country inn and cooking school. Kevin also has a great garden and tries to prepare as much farm-to-table as possible.