In order to make delicious meals every kitchen needs good working tools. This month we are getting you set up with the equipment you really need a good knife that fits you and your cooking style and the 3 knives you need to start your collection and complete most kitchen tasks well.
Now that you have what you need lets put those tools to work. I get a lot of questions from clients who are paying premium prices for fruits that are already cut up and processed for them because unsure of how to select, prepare and store these delicious fruits. Enjoy this video on how to cut some favorite fruits that can be challenging like cantaloupes and pineapples and start enjoying them year round.
Click here for How to pick and handle a perfect pineapple
Guide to Picking and Handling a Perfect Cantaloupe
The best way to pick out most produce is to use your senses: Look, Feel and Smell, as these will all give you clues to the quality of the item and guide you to pick the best cantaloupe.
How to know when it is ripe:
Look: Look for golden tones in the skin and that it is firm, free from major blemishes.
Feel: Choose one that is heavy for its size and is free from lumps and soft spots. When ripe one should yield to a little pressure at the flowering end of the melon.
Smell: A ripe melon should smell slightly sweet. However you won’t be able to smell anything if it is refrigerated as most of them are in the grocery store. Take it home and let it rest at room temperature on the counter for a few days to achieve a nice, juicy and flavorful fruit.
How to prepare it:
Just like with any fresh produce wash and dry thoroughly first.
When cutting any item it is always best to make cuts to keep flat surfaces, as it is difficult and dangerous to cut items that roll around.
First carefully slice off both ends to remove the skin and create a flat surface. Next run your knife down along the fruit trimming away the skin from the flesh. Do this moving around the melon until all the skin has been removed.
Now that you have a perfectly peeled melon you can slice it into chunks, again wanting to keep flat surfaces for safety. Slice the melon in half top to bottom. Remove the seeds and place the half flat side down. Then cut into slices, then chunks. Repeat with the second half of the melon and enjoy!
Storage:
Keep un-cut fruits at room temperature until fully ripened. When ripened, refrigerate for up to 5 days before cutting. A cut fruit can be sealed in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic for 3-5 days, but is best if consumed quickly.
