Sashimi Knife: A Masterful Tool for Perfecting Japanese Cuisine

1. Yanagiba: This knife has a slim blade in the shape of a willow leaf or Katana (sword). It is long and narrow, making it suitable for slicing tasks, especially for preparing fresh and visually appealing raw fishes (sashimi). It is popular in Western Japan.
2. Takohiki: This knife has a square shape with a longer blade. It is designed for the same purpose as Yanagiba, but not for slicing octopus. The edge line of Takohiki is almost straight, whereas Yanagiba’s edge line is more curved towards the tip. It was popular in Eastern Japan.
3. Fuguhiki: This knife was originally designed for cutting and slicing Blowfish Sashimi (Tessa). Its blade shape is similar to Yanagiba but has a narrower width and thinner blade. It is suitable for thinner cutting and slicing tasks.
4. Yoshihiro Shiroko sashimi chef knife: Handcrafted by Japanese artisans, made from high-carbon steel, with a hardness of 62 to 63 HRC. It has a concave grid and a flat rim, allowing it to slice through fish without damaging its surface and cells. Comes with a wooden sheath and a D-shaped handle made from magnolia or rosewood.
5. Cangshan X-7 sashimi chef knife: Forged from 67 layers of Japanese VG-Damascus high-carbon steel. Went through an ultra-6 heat treatment for toughness and wear resistance. Comes in 10-inch and 12-inch variants, with a 5.5-inch African blackwood handle and walnut Saya-style sheath. Excellent edge strength and retention. NSF International Certified.
6. Lucky Cook sashimi sushi knife: Made from high-carbon steel, 10-inch blade with a right-sided bevel for smooth slices. Non-slip wooden handle with an ergonomic grip. Considered a good choice for beginners.
7. Factors to consider when buying a sashimi knife: Sharpness, edge retention, blade length, material (such as Damascus Steel, VG-Max Steel, VG-10 Steel), handle quality (wooden handles).
8. Recommendation: Yoshihiro Shiroko Sashimi Chef Knife for its sharpness, wear resistance, durability, and ergonomic design.
9. Use of high-carbon steel in sashimi knives instead of stainless steel.

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Drying Basil: Preserving Flavor and Maximizing Nutritional Benefits

– The article discusses different methods for drying basil, including air-drying, using the kitchen oven, or using a dehydrator.
– It also provides instructions and visuals for each method.
– This article provides step-by-step instructions for drying basil leaves using the microwave and/or the oven methods.
– The author mentions that drying basil can help prolong its life and preserve its flavor.
– They also suggest alternative methods for preserving the flavor closest to the fresh form, such as making and freezing pesto, freezing fresh basil leaves, or freezing basil as herb bombs.
– The article states that the homemade version of dried basil is better than storebought.
– The required ingredients for drying basil include basil leaves and a microwave oven, a regular oven, or a dehydrator oven.
– The article also provides tips for picking basil and recommends removing the stems before drying.
– The article provides instructions on how to dry basil leaves using an oven or microwave.
– When drying in an oven, preheat to the lowest setting possible (around 175°F) and spread the basil leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet.
– Dry for about 2.5 hours, checking every 15 minutes to prevent burning.
– The leaves should sound crunchy and change color to a dark green when done.
– In the microwave method, place a towel on a microwavable plate, arrange the leaves in a single file, and place another towel on top.
– Microwave in 30-second bursts, checking after each burst.
– The leaves should shrivel.
– The microwave method produces lesser flavor compared to oven or air-drying.
– To maximize flavor, store dried basil as whole leaves and crush them right before use.
– When substituting dried basil for fresh, use ¼ to ⅓ of the amount called for in the recipe.
– One tablespoon of fresh herbs is approximately equal to one teaspoon of dried herbs.
– Dried basil leaves last at least a year when stored in an airtight container in a cool and dark place.

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