Knives: Which ones should you buy?

Happy Wednesday! A week back I introduced a little series on the blog focused on how to construct a fabulous yet well functioning kitchen (without spending a bundle).  Last week I covered my top ten pantry items to keep on hand at all times. This week, we’re discussing knives!

I tend to be a quality over quantity person in most aspects of my life, but when it comes to which knives I own, this mantra really rings true. Despite what they tell you (and try to sell you), you don’t need a lot of knives to make a great kitchen. Really!  At most you need two to three, and really, you can get away with just one- if that fits your cooking style. Rest assured this is not just me telling you this, I’ve taken knife skills and various other cooking classes where they’ve emphasized the same thing- less is more! So please, do not purchase a butcher block.  In my mind, they just waste counter space.

Here are the knives I think are worth investing in, and some tips to help determine which ones fit best in your kitchen:

A Good Chef’s Knife This is the one everyone should have, and many would argue that one doesn’t really need any other knives other than this one.  The key is to make sure you invest in a good one (which doesn’t mean spending a fortune), and keep it sharpened.  These two are excellent choices- 1 & 2, and I keep this sharpener on hand to keep my knives in top condition.

Bread Knife I find that unless your chef’s knife is super sharp, it can be tough cutting bread.  Therefore, a bread knife can come in handy.  As someone who buys a lot of bread that isn’t pre-sliced, I use mine all the time.  If you feel you need one, these are good choices: 1 & 2.

Paring Knife If you’re an avid cook, a paring knife can be quite handy in managing smaller chopping jobs.  But it is by no means necessary!  Of all the knives listed here, I’d say this one is most dispensable. It really depends on how and what you cook.  We eat a lot of cheese, and I actually tend to use mine most frequently for that.  If you do need one, this is a great choice, and this chef and paring knife set is a wonderful option too (I bought this for Brandon).

Ps: Last tip- never put good knives in the dishwasher!  It dulls the blade, can lead them to rust, and is also damaging to the handle. Yes it may take more time to wash them by hand, but it keeps you from having to sharpen them as often.

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