Knives are fun to work with, and it's great to have a knife for every slicing, chopping, and cutting task . . but do you really need so many? Here are the essentials every self-respecting cook needs:
* large chef's knife (can double as carving knife)
* 6" utility knife
* 3" to 4" paring knife
* serrated bread (and tomato) knife
* knife sharpener
Keeping knives loose in a drawer dulls and nicks the edges, and sliding them in and out of those fancy wooden blocks wears away their sharp edges. Store knives on a magnetic knife rack screwed into the wall near your work space, which keeps them easily accessible but out of the reach of your children.
Quick Tips for Maintaining the Order
Once everything's been set right, the main problem we have is keeping it straightened. It's one thing to reorganize things and store them away; it's quite another to put things back night after night where you've assigned them. Here are some ways to make sure you don't undo all your hard work in the first week you use your new, more functional kitchen:
1. Post a user guide. Until your family gets used to the new setup, stick up a couple of notes such as "Napkins here" or "Salad spinner, rice steamer, Cuisinart, here."
2. Put organizers in place. If you want something to stay somewhere, give it a place to be. Drawer and space dividers for cabinets are readily available in housewares stores, and they make it a lot easier to reserve designated spaces.
3. Stay diligent. Fight for your clear work space by discarding packets of condiments or giveaway cups, and if you do use that cappuccino maker for a dinner party, put it away again.
4. Don't be disheartened. If stuff starts to stack back up on your counter, don't give up and decide your kitchen is meant to be cluttered. Just clear it off again.
5. If it feels really wrong, change it. Can't get used to having your spatula in the drawer to the right of the stove? Move it back where it came from.
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