The Easy Knife Maneuver To Make Potato Chopping Easier
Potatoes, stuffed, baked, or fried, can be a satisfying go-to meal on a busy night, but cutting these tubers can be touch and go when they stick to the knife. Luckily, there is a secret to keeping sticky foods off your knife and ensuring a smooth cut for potatoes. It is an easy maneuver, but to get it right, you first must select an appropriate knife to accomplish this task.
While a chef knife is recommended, don't worry if you don't have one, there's no need to buy any expensive culinary gear. A cheap paring or utility knife will do the trick in a pinch and if you need a recommend, David Chang uses a Victorinox.
Once you have your knife, mastering the technique is the next step. According to a video posted by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, when you make the first incision with your knife blade, skip the sawing motion as well as pushing the blade straight down towards the cutting board. Instead, you want to plant the tip of your knife at the tip of the potato and slice through it, drawing the knife handle towards you. Lift and repeat. This will result in a much smoother cut and ease the friction that causes the problem in the first place.
Dry your potatoes
After you get the hang of the proper motion you need to make for cutting your starchy vegetable, you will be slicing up potatoes with ease in no time; however, if you find that the potatoes are still sticking to the knife's blade, you may want to check to see if your knife is sharp enough to be using. A dull blade will hold you back. If your knife of choice is a chef's knife, you can sharpen it, otherwise, you may need a new paring knife.
Additionally, you also want to keep your potatoes nice and dry before you begin chopping. When a potato gets wet, the moisture and the starch turn into a sticky mess. This will hinder your progress and cause the knife to stick as you slice and dice. But the solution is simple. Just pat those washed potatoes dry with a paper or cloth towel before you begin cutting.