Our Top Picks After using these knives daily for six months, here are my top recommendations: Best Overall: KYOKU Kiritsuke Chef Knife. Superior edge retention Premium Damascus steel Best balance and comfort Best Value: SHAN ZU 8 Inch Japanese Chef Knife. Incredible price point Sharp out of the box Great for beginners Most Beautiful: HEZHEN … Read more
Our Expertise I work as a home cooking enthusiast and product reviewer. I’ve tested more than 150 chef knives in that time. My background includes culinary training and hands-on experience with Japanese knife-making techniques. I understand blade geometry, steel types, and heat treatment processes. For this guide, I spent three months testing these Kiritsuke knives. … Read more
How to Prep Vegetables for Thanksgiving Introduction Thanksgiving dinner can feel overwhelming. You have so much to do. But here’s good news: you can prep vegetables ahead of time. I’ve cooked 15 Thanksgiving dinners. Each year, I learned new tricks. Prepping vegetables early saves hours on the big day. You’ll feel calmer and more organized. … Read more
How to Peel and Cut Green Plantains: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide Introduction Green plantains can be tricky to peel. Their thick skin sticks tight to the fruit inside. But don’t worry. I’ve peeled hundreds of unripe plantains over the years. Today, I’ll show you the simple tricks that make this task easy. Green plantains are … Read more
How to Slice Scallions: Easy Guide for Perfect Cuts Every Time Scallions add fresh flavor to any dish. These mild onions work great in stir-fries, soups, and salads. But many home cooks struggle with cutting them properly. Learning how to slice scallions correctly makes cooking easier. It also makes your food look better. This guide … Read more
Our Top Picks After weeks of testing, here are my top three hand blenders: Best Overall: ZKBHOME 1100W Immersion Blender – Powerful, versatile, and affordable. Best Budget: OVENTE HS565B Hand Blender – Great value with solid performance. Best Premium: Braun MultiQuick 5 MQ505 – Top quality with proven technology. Each of these blenders performed well … Read more
Our Expertise I’ve been testing kitchen blenders for the past six months. Every morning starts with a smoothie in my house. I blend at least twice a day. I work from home. My kitchen is my lab. I’ve crushed ice, blended frozen fruits, made soups, and even ground coffee beans. I’m not a professional chef. … Read more
Best Kitchen Utensil Drawer Organizers in 2026: Hands-On Testing and Review A messy kitchen drawer wastes time. I learned that the hard way.I cook daily, and I use many tools. Spatulas, spoons, knives, peelers, tongs, and other small gadgets can turn into clutter without the right organizer. That is why I started to test drawer … Read more
How to Cut French Fries: A Simple Guide for Perfect Homemade Fries Introduction Want to make crispy homemade fries that taste better than frozen fries? I’ve been cutting and cooking fries for over 10 years. Today, I’ll show you exactly how to cut French fries the right way. This guide works for anyone. You don’t … Read more
How to Clean and Prepare Mushrooms: A Simple Guide Introduction I’ve been cooking with mushrooms for over 15 years. One question always comes up: “Should I wash mushrooms?” The answer is simple. Yes, you can clean them. But you need to do it right. Mushrooms add great flavor to any meal. They work in soups, … Read more