CULINARY CUTS

FROM BASIC TO EMBELLISHED, GOOD KNIVES ARE THE WORKHORSES OF THE KITCHEN

- STEVEN PAUL BARLOW

From lightweight, basic must-have knives for the outdoor kit to fancy yet functional chef-worthy cutlery that adorns the stylish kitchen, the knives we use to prepare our meals come in every shape and size. Having a good selection of knives and keeping them sharp is critical for any kitchen.

And in this instance, “kitchen” can mean that wellappointed focal point of the home where family and friends congregate to share a meal and good company. Or it can mean a folding table outside your tent or a frying pan on a wood fire with a nearby log on which to sit. No matter what type of kitchen you’re in, makeshift or marvelous, good knives are an important part of it.

On family camping trips, I am the chief cook and bottle washer. No, I’m not a great cook. But early in my marriage, it was my concession that if we were to go on these camping trips, I would cook the meals and do the dishes. I keep a bin of frequently used camping equipment for family trips. Much of it is related to the camp kitchen: old pots and pans, utensils, potholders, can opener, cutting board, and such. In this bin I keep several sharp, lightweight knives that are relatively inexpensive. If they can’t do the job, I replace them.

Sometimes, knives are pressed into service for kitchen chores that their designers might never have envisioned, yet they perform admirably. I recall a fishing trip in Canada a few years ago when our group gathered in one of the rented cabins for the evening meal. We were having steak, which shows you how well we were doing with the fishing.