Are you chopping vegetables for a spring feast?  Make sure you know how to handle a knife to avoid accidents and injuries in the kitchen.

In this video, Chef Zeb Stevenson of Watershed on Peachtree demonstrates the safest way to slice a root vegetable. 

How to chop vegetables

Instead of gripping the knife by the handle, bring your hand up on the bolster, which is the piece of metal between the top of the handle and the bottom of the blade. This is known as ‘choking the knife,’ says Stevenson. 

“And when you are cutting, make sure you use long strokes,” says Stevenson.  “You’re going to get a lot more control over what you are doing. Just take your time. And make sure you practice.”

Additional knife safety tips

You can never be too cautious in the kitchen. Consider the following knife safety tips next time you are preparing a meal:

• Keep knives sharpened. Dull knives can slip when you are using them.
• Always place a damp cloth under a cutting board to prevent slips.
• Cut away from your body. 
• Never leave knives soaking in a sink filled with water.
• Never store knives in drawers. Instead, hang them on a magnetic wall strip. Or, clean and dry knives before placing them in a wooden block.  

For more helpful, healthful cooking tips, click here. 

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