cutting boards

Cooking Basics

Proper Care For All of Your Cutting Boards

Do you have cutting boards in every material?

Do you have cutting boards in every material? While some of them have similar methods of care, here's the complete guide so you know how to properly condition, disinfect, deodorize, and remove stains from all of your cutting boards.

Wooden Cutting Boards

  • Condition: Rub a little mineral oil over a clean wooden cutting board to keep it from looking dried-out.
  • Disinfect: Do not let wood soak in water, and do not wash in a dishwasher. Immediately after using, hand wash it with a mild soap and water then dry it with a clean dish towel. If you've cut meat on the board, wipe the surface down with white vinegar, then let the surface dry.
  • Deodorize: Squeeze half a lemon on the surface of the board and let sit for several minutes before rinsing with water.
  • Remove Stains: Wet the stained area, apply kosher salt, and let it sit on the stain for several minutes. Scrub it away with a steel scraper.

Cork Cutting Boards

  • Condition: Rub a little natural mineral oil over the board if it begins to look dry.
  • Disinfect: Treat them like a wooden cutting board. Do not let cork soak in water, and do not wash in a dishwasher. Instead, hand wash with warm soap and water.
  • Deodorize: Cork is naturally odor-resistant.
  • Remove Stains: Cork is also naturally stain-resistant.

Keep reading to learn more.

party planning

Use Wooden Cutting Boards as Serving Platters

When it comes to serving platters, I'm always looking for something festive and large.

When it comes to serving platters, I'm always looking for something festive and large. However, the tray that gets the most use in my kitchen is actually a wooden cutting board. The simple board doubles as a delightful serving tray for everything from crostini to crispy salami. By adding the rustic wood to a party's decor, a wooden board also makes the atmosphere seem less formal and more casual. The clean up is easy as the small board is dishwasher safe. It's perfect for holiday entertaining.

What's your favorite serving platter? Do you offer food on wooden cutting boards?

Poll

Do You Mind Sharing a Cooking Station?

While I enjoy help (and company) when cooking, there's truth to the saying about too many cooks in the kitchen.

While I enjoy help (and company) when cooking, there's truth to the saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. I prefer to have plenty of room and a work station with my own cutting board and knife. How about you?

Poll

Do You Separate Cutting Boards For Different Uses?

Source Do You Separate Cutting Boards For Different Uses?

Source

Love It or Hate It

Elvis Cutting Board: Love It or Hate It?

This King of cutting boards ($20) had me cracking up at first sight.

This King of cutting boards ($20) had me cracking up at first sight. I'm not an avid Elvis fan, but the whole concept — his eggplant hair, his bell pepper ear, his carrot-and-corn collar — makes me laugh. I love the vibrant colors, too. Still, I could see how some might find this accessory too garish and gaudy for their kitchen.

Off to Market

Off to Market Recap: Wood Cutting Board

While I was writing about my common kitchen mistake — I'm prone to burning plastic cutting boards!

While I was writing about my common kitchen mistake — I'm prone to burning plastic cutting boards! — I realized the best way to avoid burning any more would be to invest in wooden cutting boards and I asked you to help me find them. You looked for different sized, wooden cutting boards that are thick and durable. You bookmarked the boards in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Wood Cutting Board. I like the pale color of these bamboo cutting boards that jopperma discovered. They are lightweight and environmentally friendly. Check out the wood cutting boards below and let me know which one is your favorite!

To learn more about the bookmarking feature please read geeksugar's explanation.

Off to Market

Off to Market: Wood Cutting Board

While I was writing about my common kitchen mistake — I'm prone to burning plastic cutting boards!

While I was writing about my common kitchen mistake — I'm prone to burning plastic cutting boards! — I realized the best way to avoid burning more would be to invest in wooden cutting boards. Can you help me find some? Look for different sized, wooden cutting boards that are thick and durable. Bookmark the boards in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Wood Cutting Board. I look forward to checking out collection!

To learn more about the bookmarking feature please read geeksugar's explanation.
Don't know where to start searching? Check out a list of my favorite online stores when you, read more

food safety

What's Better: Wood or Plastic Cutting Boards?

I use mostly wooden cutting boards, though I do own a plastic one that's looking pretty rough.

I use mostly wooden cutting boards, though I do own a plastic one that's looking pretty rough. After noticing several discolored grooves on the plastic last week, I started wondering if and when I should get rid of old boards. I was also curious about whether plastic or wooden cutting boards are safer, so I decided to do a little research.

It turns out that there's not much difference between plastic and wooden boards when it comes to food safety; it's really a matter of preference. According to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, nonporous surfaces like plastic are easier to clean, but as long as you clean them, both wood and plastic are safe. Just be sure to always use a clean board, especially if you use one to cut raw meat. For tips on when to get rid of cutting boards, and how to clean them, read more

cheese

Off To Market: Cheese Board

I love cheese. It is one of my all time favorite foods.

I love cheese. It is one of my all time favorite foods. Whenever I host an impromptu dinner party, cheese inevitably makes it into the first course. However there is just one teeny weeny problem, I never know what to display the cheese on! My cutting boards are not exactly "party ready" and a plate doesn't do the cheese justice.

To remedy this problem, I've decided I need a cheese board — a little wooden board that I will only use to display and devour cheese. Can you help me find one? Search the web for a cheese board that is rustic and attractive. Nothing too showy, it should be a backdrop to highlight glorious cheeses. Save the boards in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Cheese Board. I'm looking forward to browsing your finds!

GeekSugar has put together an explanation on how to use the fun bookmarking feature, so check it out to learn more.

For a list of my favorite online stores, read more