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The first step to great food is great knife skills. Check out more Knife Skills this way! [Photographs and video: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt] Learning how to cut properly can make the difference between seeing kitchen work as a chore and a joy. It can mean the difference between unevenly cooked dishes and poor flavor development, and excellence. There's a good reason why the very first class any culinary student takes and the very first job any starting cook has in the kitchen is knife work. Cooking without mastering these basic strokes is like trying to run without knowing how to tie...

How many different types of knives do you own? Chances are, you've got quite a few knives in your kitchen drawer or in a block on the counter. But do you know the difference between a chef's knife and a paring knife, plus the proper way to use each one? HERE'S A SIMPLE GUIDE TO SOME OF THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF KNIVES FOR COOKING AND THEIR PURPOSES. Illustrations via CakeSpy   LEARN TO SLICE & DICE PRODUCE LIKE A PRO — ABSOLUTELY FREE! Become faster and more accurate with your knife work with these FREE HD video lessons. Join now and...

A nice kitchen knife will cost you a hefty sum, but it’ll reward you with the easiest chopping experience of your cooking life. Not only does it make dicing onions a whole lot more fun, but it’s also way safer — a dull knife is actually dangerous. Before you take the plunge and invest in a sharp blade, there are a few things you should know. A good knife is no ordinary kitchen utensil — it’s your right hand in making meals possible — so you must treat it with the utmost care. No matter how sharp a blade is, it’s a fragile...

Let's talk steak — a big, beautiful slab of beef. I used to only eat steak when my parents treated us to an old-school steakhouse, and while I relished every minute of those meals, the menu always intimidated me. What was the difference between a New York steak and a ribeye? Why was filet mignon so freakin' expensive? Whether you cook steak at home or save it for a special occasion out like we did, it's important to know your high-end steak cuts. Here are the four most popular ones, and we'll cover where they're cut from, what they taste...

While eating too much fat can lead to weight gain and health problems, a moderate amount of fat is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Adding a little fat to your food, such as cooking oil, can help fill you up, become the body’s source of energy once carbohydrates are used up, and helps with absorption of several fat-soluble vitamins. Recently, one of the most popular sources of added fat — coconut oil — has come under fire. Though long touted as healthful, recent recommendations from the American Heart Association advise limiting its use. Confused about which oils might benefit you...