How to Dress A Mango

See blog entry here:

How to dress a mango

How To Cut Up A Broccoli

Broccoli is a veggie that looks easy to cut but when you really attempt to do it, you will realise that it is really not that simple after all. How do I cut it nicely without much of the flowers falling off? What do I do with the stem, can it be eaten?

(This is how I cut broccoli. This was demonstrated to me by Quop, who learnt it from his mum. However I think this is also how my mum cuts it...)

Wash the veggie. Remove any leaves you see. Using your knife, make a cut where the stem branches out to form a floret.

If the floret is too big, separate it by cutting it at the stem (in photo above). Do not cut the dark green flower part, so that you will not have the flowers coming apart. Cut/separate them to your desired size.

With the main stem, cut off the 2 ends. With the stem standing up (as above), cut off the 'bark' of the stem all around (about 4 sides). You will be left with the above.

Slice the stem as in photo. The inside of the stem is more tender and can be eaten, after removing the tougher stem 'bark'.

Now, you are ready to cook it - stir-fry, steam, boil, microwave.

How To Carve A Chicken

(From Masterchef Australia Cookbook Vol 1)

1. Using a sharp knife, cut between the leg and the body to remove the thigh and drumstick together.

2. Remove the wing on the same side.

3. Slice the breast meat.

4. If you need 2 leg portions, cut thruogh the joint between the thigh and the drumstick.

How to Cut Potatoes Into Cubes

(From Masterchef Australia Cookbook Vol 1)

1. Slice off the rounded edges to square it up.

2. Cut into even 1-2cm slices.

3. Cut each slice into even 1-2cm batons.

4. Cut each baton into 1-2cm cubes.

How to Julienne A Carrot

Julienne is a culinary knife cut in which the food item is cut into long thin strips.

(From Masterchef Australia Cookbook Vol 1)

1. To julienne a carrot, first cut it into even lengths, about 3cm long.



2. Next cut lengthways into 2 mm slices.



3. Finally, cut each slice lengthways into 2 mm strips.

Basic Knife Skills

(From Masterchef Australia Cookbook Vol 1)

Slicing
Always keep your fingers curled back, away from the blade of the knife.



Chopping
When chopping herbs, use a rocking motion and keep the tip of the knife on the board.

How To Dice Onions

(From Masterchef Australia Cookbook Vol 1)

1. To dice an onion, cut it half then turn it so that root points to your left and slice towards, but not through the root. (if you are left-handed, point the onion's root to the right instead)

2. Slicing parallel to your chopping board, cut towards but not through the root once more, taking care at all times to keep your fingers away from the blade. Start the base and work up, repeating 2-3 times.

3. Finally, slice vertically again from right to left.