What technique helps when mincing a pile of herbs or ginger at once?

Question

Use the rocking technique and keep herbs in a tight pile to efficiently mince larger quantities.

Answer 1

Use the 'rocking' motion with a large chef's knife, keeping the tip of the knife on the cutting board and moving the blade in an arc. This allows you to mince a large quantity of herbs or ginger quickly and evenly.

Detailed Explanation:

Mincing a large quantity of herbs or ginger can be tedious if done with small, repetitive chops. The rocking method is much more efficient. Here's how to do it:

1. Gather your herbs or ginger: Pile the herbs or ginger on your cutting board. It's best to start with a manageable amount; you can always add more later.
2. Position your knife: Place the tip of a large chef's knife on the cutting board, near the pile of herbs or ginger.
3. The Rocking Motion: Hold the handle of the knife firmly with one hand and place your other hand on the spine of the blade near the tip (be careful!). Use a rocking motion, pivoting the knife on its tip, to chop the herbs or ginger. Move the knife back and forth across the pile, gradually working your way through it.
4. Regroup and Repeat: As the herbs or ginger become finely minced, gather them back into a pile with your knife or a bench scraper and repeat the rocking motion until you achieve the desired consistency.

Pro Tip:

To prevent the herbs or ginger from sticking to your knife, lightly dampen the blade with water before you begin mincing. This will make the process smoother and easier.