Kamil Perry
Pizza and cheese are two foods that are notoriously difficult to cut without the cheese sticking to the knife. To avoid this issue, some people recommend using a pizza cutter, which can cut through cheese in just one swipe. If you don't have a pizza cutter, a large chef's knife can be used, but the cheese may stick to the blade. To prevent this, you can use a clean dish towel or paper towel to carefully wipe the blade between cuts. Another option is to use a cheese knife with holes in the blade to reduce the surface area that the cheese can stick to. Keeping the cheese cold and the knife hot can also help to prevent sticking, as can coating the blade with a small amount of cooking oil.
Characteristics and Values Table
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of knife | Pizza cutter, chef's knife, cheese knife |
| Temperature of knife | Cold, warm, hot |
| Type of cheese | Soft, hard |
| Type of food | Pizza, cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Using a pizza cutter to slice cheese
Pizza cutters are a versatile tool that can be used to slice through various foods, including cheese. While knives are typically used to cut cheese, pizza cutters offer a convenient alternative, especially when dealing with soft and semi-hard cheeses like mozzarella, feta, and gouda.
When using a pizza cutter to slice cheese, it is important to consider the type of cheese you are working with. Softer cheeses, such as mozzarella, are easier to cut with a pizza cutter, while harder cheeses may require more effort. To achieve clean slices, it is recommended to use a sharp pizza cutter and apply gentle pressure to avoid crushing the cheese.
If the cheese starts to stick to the pizza cutter, there are a few simple solutions. One option is to use non-stick cooking spray on the cutter's blade. Alternatively, you can try using a small amount of olive oil or another type of cooking oil on the blade, as suggested by some sources. This will create a barrier between the cheese and the cutter, reducing the sticking. However, it is important to use oil sparingly to avoid making a mess.
Another technique to prevent sticking is to control the temperature of the cheese and the pizza cutter. Using cold cheese and a warm or hot pizza cutter can help reduce sticking. You can run the pizza cutter under warm water or heat it in other ways, but be careful not to make it too hot, as you may accidentally melt your cheese.
In addition to soft and semi-hard cheeses, pizza cutters can also handle harder cheeses with a little more effort. It is recommended to use a sharp pizza cutter and apply more pressure when dealing with harder cheeses. If you are looking for thin slices, you may need to make multiple passes with the pizza cutter to achieve the desired thickness.
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Using a wire cheese cutter
If you're looking for a way to cut pizza without having the cheese stick to the knife, a wire cheese cutter may be your answer. While pizza knives can help, they don't always perform optimally. Wire cheese cutters, on the other hand, can offer a more precise cut.
An arched wire cheese cutter, for instance, is perfect for cutting thin pieces of soft cheese. The wire is thin enough to easily slice through the cheese without sticking or dragging. It will not crush the surface or smear the cut edge, like most cheese knives. It is great for cutting soft cheeses like mozzarella, feta, gouda, blues, and Camembert.
If you're using a wire cheese cutter, it's important to note that they are more delicate and prone to breakage than knives. To care for your wire cheese cutter, wash it in hot soapy water and allow it to dry after each use.
Additionally, you can try some other tips to prevent cheese from sticking to your cutting tool. One way is to use temperature to your advantage by using a cold knife and warm to hot water. You can soak the blade in warm water or run it under the faucet for a minute. If the cheese starts to stick again, simply run the blade under warm water once more. This technique relies on the temperature difference rather than the water itself, as the drastic change in temperature makes the cheese and the knife more resistant to sticking. However, be careful not to make the blade too hot, or you might melt your cheese as you cut it. Alternatively, you can use a hot knife and cold cheese, heating the blade in hot water if the cheese starts to stick.
Another method to prevent sticking is to use oil. You can use any cooking oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or even non-stick cooking spray. Simply put a small amount on a cloth or directly on the blade and spread it evenly.
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Using a sharp knife
Firstly, ensure your pizza is fresh out of the oven. James Beard Award-Winning Chef Ann Kim recommends cutting "immediately as it comes out of the oven" as "once it's out of the oven, [it will] start to toughen up and it's actually more challenging." Waiting too long will make the cheese more likely to stick to your knife.
If you're using a knife, a sharp, large chef's knife is best. The knife should be big enough to fit the circumference of your pizza, and it should be sharp to ensure a clean slice. A serrated knife will also work. If your knife is not very sharp, you can try using a cheese wire, which will provide a more precise cut. However, these are more delicate and prone to breakage.
To prevent the cheese from sticking to your knife, you can try a few different methods. One simple way is to use temperature to your advantage. Use cold cheese and a warm to hot knife. You can heat your knife by running it under warm water or dipping it into hot water. Alternatively, heat the blade in other ways, being careful not to make it too hot, or you will melt the cheese. The drastic temperature change will make the cheese and knife more resistant to sticking.
If you don't want to use water, you can try using a small amount of cooking oil, such as olive oil, on the blade. Spread it evenly across the blade, and this will help prevent sticking.
If you're still struggling with cheese sticking to your knife, you can try a cheese knife with holes or cut-outs in the blade. This reduces the surface area that the cheese can stick to.
Finally, if you're using a knife, rather than a pizza cutter, Chef Kim recommends having a clean dish towel or paper towel at the ready. You can carefully and lightly swipe the blade with the towel between cuts to prevent cheese from sticking.
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Using a knife with holes in it
If you're looking to cut pizza without the cheese sticking to your knife, a knife with holes in it can be a great option. Here's how to make the most of this type of knife:
Choosing the Right Knife
Select a knife designed for cutting cheese. These knives often have holes in the blade, which reduces the surface area that the cheese can stick to. This design feature is crucial when cutting pizza, as it helps prevent the cheese from sticking and creating a mess. Look for a cheese knife with a blade long enough to cut through your pizza with ease.
Temperature Control
Before using your knife, consider the temperature. A warm to hot knife can help prevent cheese from sticking. Try soaking the blade in warm water or running it under warm water for a minute. If the cheese starts to stick again, simply run the blade under warm water once more. This technique is effective because of the temperature difference; however, be careful not to overheat the knife, as you don't want to melt the cheese as you cut.
Cutting Technique
When it comes to cutting your pizza, use a rocking motion with your knife. This motion will help you cut through the crust and toppings smoothly. If you're using a chef's knife, wait for the pizza to cool down slightly before cutting, as this will also help prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife. It's best to cut your pizza as soon as it comes out of the oven, as it becomes more challenging to slice once it starts to toughen.
Alternative Methods
If you don't have a knife with holes, there are other ways to prevent cheese from sticking. One option is to use olive oil or another type of cooking oil. Simply put a small amount of oil on a paper towel and lightly coat your knife blade before cutting. Another alternative is to use a wire cheese cutter, which can easily cut through cheese without creating the same sticking issues.
By following these tips and using a knife with holes in it, you can efficiently cut pizza without the cheese sticking to your knife, ensuring a clean and enjoyable dining experience.
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Using a knife with olive oil on it
When cutting pizza, cheese can often stick to the knife, creating an inconvenience when trying to slice through it. One way to prevent this is by using a knife with olive oil on it. Olive oil is a great option for jobs like these and can be used in place of other types of cooking oils.
To use olive oil on a knife to cut cheese, it is important to remember that a little goes a long way. You can use a paper towel to apply a small amount of olive oil to the blade, spreading it evenly and removing any excess oil. This will ensure that the cheese slices do not end up coated in oil.
Using olive oil on a knife will help prevent cheese from sticking to the blade. The oil creates a barrier between the knife and the cheese, allowing the cheese to slide off the blade more easily after each cut. This technique is especially useful when cutting soft and delicate cheeses like mozzarella, which can easily get smashed or stick to a knife.
In addition to using olive oil, there are other methods to prevent cheese from sticking to a knife. One way is to use a cheese knife with holes in the blade, which reduces the surface area that the cheese can stick to. Another method is to keep the cheese cold before cutting, as this can help reduce stickiness. For soft cheeses, chilling or freezing them for a few minutes before slicing can help them firm up and become easier to cut.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to prevent cheese from sticking to your knife. You can try using a knife with holes in it, or a wire cheese cutter, or a cheese wire. You can also try using a knife with a small amount of olive oil on it, or soaking the blade in warm water, or using a sharper knife.
If you have one, a pizza cutter is the best tool to cut pizza. If you don't have one, a large chef's knife will do the job. Make sure the knife is big enough to fit the circumference of your pizza.
If you are using a chef's knife to cut pizza, wait for it to cool down before you start cutting. This will prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife. You can also use a clean paper towel to carefully and lightly swipe the blade between cuts.
A pizza cutter can be used to slice a variety of foods, including meat, pancakes, waffles, French toast, butter, fruit, toast, bagels, cakes, pies, brownies, and fudge.
