--- title: The Knife Block Blog | Tips for better cooking --- - [Home](https://www.mychefquinn.com/) - [About Chef Quinn](https://www.mychefquinn.com/About-Chef-Quinn) - [The Knife Block](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block) [![My Chef Quinn](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26338774-png/images/my-chef-quinn_com-knife-logo-22.png)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/) ![lways use fresh ingredients!](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26340803-png/images/vegetables-3.png) # The Knife Block ## [Knives are important tools in the kitchen: Part 3 – Care and Storage](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/71540/Knives-are-important-tools-in-the-kitchen-Part-3-Care-and-Storage) [ Posted by Anne Quinn on Mon, Dec 12, 2011 ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/author/anne-quinn) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26338350-jpg/images/knife-storage-block.jpg) ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/71540/Knives-are-important-tools-in-the-kitchen-Part-3-Care-and-Storage) In Part 2 of this series, I listed the 3-5 knives you should be sure to have in your kitchen.  You can find these varieties in knife sets.  Make sure you play close attention to what is included in the set.  Often you will find the set includes knife types you will rarely use so you are better off buying separates.  In the final article of this series I will cover care and storage of your kitchen knives. [Read More](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/71540/Knives-are-important-tools-in-the-kitchen-Part-3-Care-and-Storage) --- **My Chef Quinn offers a variety of cooking services to help you get more out of your kitchen.  Click these links to find out more:** - [Private Cooking Lessons](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-lessons-individual-group/) - [Cooking parties ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-parties/) - [Personal Chef Services](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/personal-chef/) Tags: [Kitchen Knives](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/kitchen-knives), [Knife Block](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/knife-block) ## [Good knives are important tools in the kitchen: Part 2 – Knife Types](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/71537/Good-knives-are-important-tools-in-the-kitchen-Part-2-Knife-Types) [ Posted by Anne Quinn on Mon, Dec 05, 2011 ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/author/anne-quinn) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26337245-png/images/chef-kitchen-knife.png) ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/71537/Good-knives-are-important-tools-in-the-kitchen-Part-2-Knife-Types) In Part 1 of this series, I talked about the key features in a kitchen knife.  To be clear, I believe you should seek out forged knives with full tang for all the knives in your tool kit.  If your budget won’t allow that, at least choose one knife with these features. [Read More](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/71537/Good-knives-are-important-tools-in-the-kitchen-Part-2-Knife-Types) --- **My Chef Quinn offers a variety of cooking services to help you get more out of your kitchen.  Click these links to find out more:** - [Private Cooking Lessons](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-lessons-individual-group/) - [Cooking parties ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-parties/) - [Personal Chef Services](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/personal-chef/) Tags: [Kitchen Knives](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/kitchen-knives) ## [Good knives are important tools in the kitchen: Part 1 - Features](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/71535/Good-knives-are-important-tools-in-the-kitchen-Part-1-Features) [ Posted by Anne Quinn on Mon, Nov 28, 2011 ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/author/anne-quinn) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26337624-png/images/components-of-a-kitchen-knife.png) ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/71535/Good-knives-are-important-tools-in-the-kitchen-Part-1-Features) Knives are your most important tools in the kitchen.  This 3 part series on kitchen knives will help you make the best knife choice.  The first thing well touch on are the major features of your typical kitchen knife so you know what to look for when selecting the right kitchen knife for you. [Read More](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/71535/Good-knives-are-important-tools-in-the-kitchen-Part-1-Features) --- **My Chef Quinn offers a variety of cooking services to help you get more out of your kitchen.  Click these links to find out more:** - [Private Cooking Lessons](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-lessons-individual-group/) - [Cooking parties ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-parties/) - [Personal Chef Services](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/personal-chef/) Tags: [Kitchen Knives](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/kitchen-knives) ## [What it’s like inside a Boston Food Truck](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/66065/What-it-s-like-inside-a-Boston-Food-Truck) [ Posted by Anne Quinn on Mon, Sep 05, 2011 ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/author/anne-quinn) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26337976-jpg/images/food-truck-nation-grilled-cheese-truck.jpg) ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/66065/What-it-s-like-inside-a-Boston-Food-Truck) Street-eats, Hub-grub or Mobile-munchables – whatever you call it, since 2009, Food Trucks have steadily gained popularity in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Portland, Minneapolis and finally they have come to Boston thanks to the tireless efforts of many including my friends Todd and Ron of [Food Truck Nation](http://foodtrucknation.tumblr.com/)!   Check out this recent spot on [TV Diner with Billy Costa](http://www.necn.com/04/16/11/Feature-Starting-a-food-truck/landing_tvdiner.html?blockID=505267&feedID=4646). [Read More](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/66065/What-it-s-like-inside-a-Boston-Food-Truck) --- **My Chef Quinn offers a variety of cooking services to help you get more out of your kitchen.  Click these links to find out more:** - [Private Cooking Lessons](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-lessons-individual-group/) - [Cooking parties ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-parties/) - [Personal Chef Services](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/personal-chef/) Tags: [Grilled Cheese](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/grilled-cheese), [Food Trucks](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/food-trucks) ## [How to make Carmelized Onions](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/65746/How-to-make-Carmelized-Onions) [ Posted by Anne Quinn on Mon, Aug 22, 2011 ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/author/anne-quinn) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26340560-png/images/sliced-onions-in-pot.png) ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/65746/How-to-make-Carmelized-Onions) Carmelization is the browning of sugar.  It is a widely used cooking term in reference to browning the natural sugars in foods through the application of heat during the cooking process.  Carmelization adds flavor and in the case of onions, practically transforms them.  During the carmelization process the onions become sweet tasting and soft enough to melt in your mouth.  To do it well, carmelizing onions happens slowly; very slowly using the method below. [Read More](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/65746/How-to-make-Carmelized-Onions) --- **My Chef Quinn offers a variety of cooking services to help you get more out of your kitchen.  Click these links to find out more:** - [Private Cooking Lessons](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-lessons-individual-group/) - [Cooking parties ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-parties/) - [Personal Chef Services](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/personal-chef/) Tags: [Carmelizing](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/carmelizing), [Cooking with onions](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/cooking-with-onions) ## [Make your own delicious pesto. It’s easier than you think!](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/56994/Make-your-own-delicious-pesto-It-s-easier-than-you-think) [ Posted by Anne Quinn on Sun, Apr 17, 2011 ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/author/anne-quinn) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26338550-png/images/made-fresh-pesto.png) ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/56994/Make-your-own-delicious-pesto-It-s-easier-than-you-think) For those of you whose arteries started to harden at the thought of compound butter, one of my previous posts, I offer another flavorful alternative.  What I’m referring to are sauces you make by grinding together some combination of herbs, nuts, cheese and olive oil. The beauty of these sauces is that the base is olive oil; a good, heart healthy monounsaturated fat. [Read More](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/56994/Make-your-own-delicious-pesto-It-s-easier-than-you-think) --- **My Chef Quinn offers a variety of cooking services to help you get more out of your kitchen.  Click these links to find out more:** - [Private Cooking Lessons](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-lessons-individual-group/) - [Cooking parties ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-parties/) - [Personal Chef Services](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/personal-chef/) Tags: [Pesto](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/pesto), [Pasta Sauces](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/pasta-sauces), [Herbs](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/herbs), [Olive Oil](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/olive-oil) ## [How do you enjoy tomatoes out of season? Roasting of course!](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/56019/How-do-you-enjoy-tomatoes-out-of-season-Roasting-of-course) [ Posted by Anne Quinn on Fri, Apr 01, 2011 ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/author/anne-quinn) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26337521-png/images/cherry-tomatoes-before-roasting.png) ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/56019/How-do-you-enjoy-tomatoes-out-of-season-Roasting-of-course) As I sit down to write this we are just on the brink of Spring in New England.  Within the next couple of months, local farmers markets will be bursting with choices beyond root cellar vegetables and hearty winter greens.  While time flies, July can’t get here soon enough to conquer that craving to bite into a fresh, juicy tomato.  [Read More](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/56019/How-do-you-enjoy-tomatoes-out-of-season-Roasting-of-course) --- **My Chef Quinn offers a variety of cooking services to help you get more out of your kitchen.  Click these links to find out more:** - [Private Cooking Lessons](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-lessons-individual-group/) - [Cooking parties ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-parties/) - [Personal Chef Services](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/personal-chef/) Tags: [Carmelizing](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/carmelizing), [Roasting Tomatoes](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/roasting-tomatoes), [Concentrating Flavors](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/concentrating-flavors) ## [Cooking on the road, the life of a rock and roll chef – Part 2](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/55683/Cooking-on-the-road-the-life-of-a-rock-and-roll-chef-Part-2) [ Posted by Anne Quinn on Fri, Mar 25, 2011 ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/author/anne-quinn) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26337585-jpg/images/chuck-white-if-it-makes-you-healthy.jpg) ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/55683/Cooking-on-the-road-the-life-of-a-rock-and-roll-chef-Part-2) Getting back to what it’s like to cook on the road for a rock star, the big question you might be asking is “how do you get all the ingredients for each meal each night when you’re in a different city?”  It’s pretty easy actually. [Read More](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/55683/Cooking-on-the-road-the-life-of-a-rock-and-roll-chef-Part-2) --- **My Chef Quinn offers a variety of cooking services to help you get more out of your kitchen.  Click these links to find out more:** - [Private Cooking Lessons](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-lessons-individual-group/) - [Cooking parties ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-parties/) - [Personal Chef Services](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/personal-chef/) Tags: [Sheryl Crow](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/sheryl-crow), [Chuck White](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/chuck-white), [Cooking on Location](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/cooking-on-location) ## [Cooking on the road, the life of a rock and roll chef – Part 1](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/55682/Cooking-on-the-road-the-life-of-a-rock-and-roll-chef-Part-1) [ Posted by Anne Quinn on Sun, Mar 20, 2011 ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/author/anne-quinn) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26340520-jpg/images/sheryl-crow_100-miles-from-memphis.jpg) ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/55682/Cooking-on-the-road-the-life-of-a-rock-and-roll-chef-Part-1) I had the unique opportunity to get a glimpse into life on the road while working with [Chuck White](http://www.chefchuck.com), a personal chef from Nashville, Tennessee.  While Chuck has a local practice in Nashville serving up  organic, local tasty food he has also gained notoriety as personal chef to [Sheryl Crow](http://www.sherylcrow.com/).  My fellow chef friend Carla and I lent Chuck a hand while Sheryl Crow’s [100 Miles from Memphis](http://www.sherylcrow.com/discography/detail.aspx?pid=2650) tour visited Boston, MA and Portland, ME. [Read More](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/55682/Cooking-on-the-road-the-life-of-a-rock-and-roll-chef-Part-1) --- **My Chef Quinn offers a variety of cooking services to help you get more out of your kitchen.  Click these links to find out more:** - [Private Cooking Lessons](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-lessons-individual-group/) - [Cooking parties ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-parties/) - [Personal Chef Services](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/personal-chef/) Tags: [Sheryl Crow](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/sheryl-crow), [Chuck White](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/chuck-white), [Cooking on Location](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/cooking-on-location) ## [Compound butter: It's like butter, only better](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/45360/Compound-butter-It-s-like-butter-only-better) [ Posted by Anne Quinn on Sun, Aug 22, 2010 ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/author/anne-quinn) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.mychefquinn.com/hs-fs/file-26338602-png/images/making-compound-butter-1.png) ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/45360/Compound-butter-It-s-like-butter-only-better) Compound butter: It's like butter, only better. And before you let the word butter keep you from reading further, remember that fat is a necessary part of our diet.  Besides being necessary, fat adds to the appealing taste, texture and appearance of food.  And, fats carry flavor.  Granted, butter is predominantly a saturated fat so it should be used in moderation.  You’ll find that a compound butter packs so much flavor you’ll only need to use a little bit to get yummy results.  [Read More](https://www.mychefquinn.com/The-Knife-Block/bid/45360/Compound-butter-It-s-like-butter-only-better) --- **My Chef Quinn offers a variety of cooking services to help you get more out of your kitchen.  Click these links to find out more:** - [Private Cooking Lessons](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-lessons-individual-group/) - [Cooking parties ](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/cooking-parties/) - [Personal Chef Services](https://www.mychefquinn.com/lets-cook/personal-chef/) Tags: [Compound Butter](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/compound-butter), [Herbed Butter](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/herbed-butter) [All posts](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/all) [Next](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/page/2) ### Subscribe to The Knife Block via Email ### Latest Posts ### Browse by Tag - [Carmelizing (2)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/carmelizing) - [Chuck White (2)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/chuck-white) - [Compound Butter (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/compound-butter) - [Concentrating Flavors (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/concentrating-flavors) - [Cooking on Location (2)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/cooking-on-location) - [cooking poultry (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/cooking-poultry) - [Cooking with onions (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/cooking-with-onions) - [Food Trucks (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/food-trucks) - [Grilled Cheese (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/grilled-cheese) - [Herbed Butter (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/herbed-butter) - [Herbs (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/herbs) - [high heat cooking (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/high-heat-cooking) - [instant read thermometers (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/instant-read-thermometers) - [Kitchen Knives (3)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/kitchen-knives) - [kitchen prep (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/kitchen-prep) - [Knife Block (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/knife-block) - [mise en place (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/mise-en-place) - [Olive Oil (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/olive-oil) - [Pasta Sauces (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/pasta-sauces) - [Pesto (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/pesto) - [Roasting Tomatoes (1)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/roasting-tomatoes) - [Sheryl Crow (2)](https://www.mychefquinn.com/the-knife-block/topic/sheryl-crow) © 2016 www.mychefquinn.com