The Carver

This is the time of year when we gather with family and friends around a big meal, which makes this the perfect time to talk about what to cut that entrée with and why. In last week’s article, I said I was going to talk about the Petite Carver. Upon searching for information on Petite Carvers, I found that it was not a general term, but a specific brand term based on the size of the blade. So, instead, I will be talking to you about carvers.

What is a carver and why do you want one? A carver is a long, thin bladed knife meant to produce meal size, or thin deli meat, slices of meat and poultry. Its shape and blade style makes it easier to cut around the edges of bone and joints than other knives such as a chef knife. If you are a regular meat eater who has roasts, chicken, lamb or turkey frequently, you will want a carver in your set. The length of that carver, like any other knife, depends on what you will be cutting. The bigger the meat or vegetable, the longer the blade you want for easy cutting. When it is just 2-7 pounds, an 8” carver will work perfectly. When it is 7-25 pounds, a 10-14” blade will make the job easier.

         A carver should also have a serrated or recessed edge to, again, make it easier to cut through the meat. Serrated edges usually rip and tear through food creating scraps that go to your dog, which is why I prefer a recessed edge. Electric carvers became very popular because they initially cut right through meat with no effort at all. However, they dull quickly and also have a tendency to rip and tear through the meat they are cutting.

         Any time you choose to invest in your knives, price and quality should matter. When you purchase a knife that you only use a few times a year, whether it will work to your satisfaction when you use it, should be considered. The last thing you want is to have to buy that knife the day before you need it and add an unexpected expense to your holiday meal.

         To learn more about carvers, check out Culinary Lore’s article on them. To learn more about what types of carvers to purchase, please feel to contact me at any time. May this Thanksgiving week bring you lots of memories and full tummies that make you smile for years to come.