A handful of almonds, a little focus, and the difference knife skills make.
It's so funny. As I get closer to The Cutting Edge 101 workshop, I'm learning that a number of my friends, who I consider some of the best cooks I know, don't have strong knife skills.
My friend Holly's granola brought that home to me. She used sliced almonds, while I used whole almonds and chopped them myself. Here's one small takeaway: you don't need a whole collection of knives to start building confidence. One sharp 8-inch chef's knife is a useful place to begin.
But the difference isn't only in the nuts. It's in the connection you make with what you're preparing.
Holly's granola moment
About a week after I posted my granola podcast, Holly sent a text: "Oh My God, I NAILED it. Delicious granola. Finally with maple syrup!"
I called her immediately. As we talked about her batch, I learned that she had used sliced almonds rather than chopping whole almonds as I had described in the podcast.
There's nothing wrong with using sliced almonds. For me, though, working with an ingredient myself brings something different to the experience. Whether I'm cutting, tossing or peeling, I feel more connected to the dish I'm preparing.
That is the point I keep coming back to: chopping asks for focus and control. Simple knife skills can help make that part of cooking feel more familiar.
Back to the knife at hand
I may have a knife collection, but you don't need a collection to begin. Start with one sharp 8-inch chef's knife that feels comfortable in your hand.
With The Cutting Edge 101, I want to help you build that connection to your cooking practice through simple, basic knife skills. It's about feeling more at home with the ingredients and tools you're already using, not making cooking more complicated.
Holly made her granola. Another friend told me she'd made a batch just from listening to the podcast. I love hearing that people are trying it for themselves, noticing what works and making it their own.
If you'd like the granola story and the details from my own batches, listen to The Brass Tacks to Making Granola: The Goldilocks Way:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420746/episodes/20035282
And if you'd like to build your kitchen confidence, I'd love to see you in The Cutting Edge 101. Join the workshop waitlist to hear the details:
https://www.recipes4survival.com/cutting-edge-waitlist
Joining the waitlist is free and does not reserve a seat.
Looking forward,
DGirl