The One Kitchen Tool Alex Guarnaschelli Can't Live Without
It's no great revelation that chefs of all caliber dearly love their kitchen knives, and celebrity cook Alex Guarnaschelli is no exception. She does, however, have one specific knife that she particularly has a fondness for. The best part of all is that it is without a doubt cheaper than you probably expect. In an interview with the Food Network, the famous chef said that the one kitchen tool she couldn't live without was a $5 paring knife.
While other knives are well worth investing in, you don't have to spend much at all on a paring knife to have a great tool — just like Guarnaschelli (via Epicurious). As the outlet explains, paring knives are primarily used for performing small, delicate tasks. That includes coring strawberries, cleaning shrimp or even sectioning all kinds of citrus. That's why one of the most important factors to consider when buying a paring knife is how it feels in your hand.
This is what you should look for in a paring knife
In addition to fitting your hand well and feeling comfortable to use, paring knives should have a sturdy blade (via Epicurious). A blade that is too thin or weak could waver or bend, which makes it more difficult to use. At its worst, a bad blade or one that falls away from the handle could cause you to cut yourself. Something else to consider is whether or not the blade will hold up over time.
Some inexpensive paring knives have blades that stay surprisingly sharp for an extended period of time. Others grow dull rather quickly and have to be replaced. If the paring knife's blade is of higher quality, it can be sharpened and kept for many years. So, if you choose to pick up an inexpensive paring knife to rely on like Gauranschelli, be prepared to replace it from time to time. But whatever paring knife you do use, it's likely one that will be a go-to for all kinds of essential kitchen tasks.