How would you explain the knife angle used in a rocking motion to achieve a dice?

Question

Use a slight angle and rocking motion for efficient, controlled dicing with minimal effort.

Answer 1

The knife angle in a rocking motion for dicing is a slight downward angle, using the curve of the blade to chop through the food while keeping the tip anchored on the cutting board. This creates uniform pieces with each rock.

Detailed Explanation:

The rocking motion is a fundamental knife skill used for dicing vegetables and herbs efficiently. Here's a breakdown of the knife angle and technique:

1. Starting Position: Place the food item on a stable cutting board. Grip the knife firmly with your dominant hand, using a pinch grip (thumb and index finger on the blade, the rest of the fingers around the handle). Place your other hand on top of the blade, guiding it.

2. The Angle: The knife angle isn't a sharp, vertical chop. Instead, it's a gentle downward curve. Imagine the blade as part of a circle. The tip of the knife remains in contact with the cutting board, acting as a pivot point.

3. The Rocking Motion: Use a smooth, fluid rocking motion, moving the blade up and down while keeping the tip anchored. The heel of the blade (the part closest to the handle) will come down to make the cut. Your guiding hand helps control the pressure and direction.

4. Achieving the Dice: After each rock, move the food slightly towards you or away from you, maintaining the same slight downward angle. This creates even slices. Then, rotate the food 90 degrees and repeat the rocking motion to create the dice.

5. Consistency: The key to a good dice is consistency. Try to maintain a uniform angle and pressure with each rock to ensure all the pieces are roughly the same size.

Pro Tip:

Practice with a carrot or potato first. These vegetables are firm and provide good resistance, allowing you to feel the rocking motion and control the knife angle more easily before moving on to softer ingredients like onions or tomatoes.