Comments on: Why I Like Chopsticks, Even for Ice Cream http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/ the hyperglobal meets the hyperlocal -- ethnic markets meet farmers' markets Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:50:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Jake http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/comment-page-1/#comment-4043 Jake Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:56:47 +0000 http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/?p=568#comment-4043 I wouldn't mind using the chopsticks, but I like the feel of a fork and knife. I like to spin the knife so that the serrations are facing away from me in a defensive manner whenever I go to place the food into my mouth. I also understand how a knife works. You saw, not slice. I see people cutting bread, and they saw about 1/2 inch back and forth and crush the bread. It drives me nuts to see people doing that, because it's like trying to open a door with a sledgehammer. It will get the door open, but it's not the best way to do it. I wouldn’t mind using the chopsticks, but I like the feel of a fork and knife. I like to spin the knife so that the serrations are facing away from me in a defensive manner whenever I go to place the food into my mouth. I also understand how a knife works. You saw, not slice. I see people cutting bread, and they saw about 1/2 inch back and forth and crush the bread. It drives me nuts to see people doing that, because it’s like trying to open a door with a sledgehammer. It will get the door open, but it’s not the best way to do it.

]]> By: Brian Nielsen http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/comment-page-1/#comment-4044 Brian Nielsen Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:34:16 +0000 http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/?p=568#comment-4044 This is the geekiest thing I've read about food. That's good and it's has made me think about my fork and knife in a way I've never thought about before. I'm proud of my fork'n'knife wielding and I try to practice beyond the simple everyday use. The shovel, the scrape, the stab and the hoist as well as keeping my cutting to minimal precise cuts or focused sawings. My favorite fork & knife are balanced towards the back of my hands. I find that this allows me to spin and twist the fork teeth and the blade more easily. Also, it adds a comfortable counterweight when placing the food into my mouth in such a way that I only touch the food. However, it doesn't do so well when placed on the side of a plate because they tend to tip over but once your guests learn to use the weight, your table cloth's stays clean. This is the geekiest thing I’ve read about food. That’s good and it’s has made me think about my fork and knife in a way I’ve never thought about before.

I’m proud of my fork’n'knife wielding and I try to practice beyond the simple everyday use. The shovel, the scrape, the stab and the hoist as well as keeping my cutting to minimal precise cuts or focused sawings.

My favorite fork & knife are balanced towards the back of my hands. I find that this allows me to spin and twist the fork teeth and the blade more easily. Also, it adds a comfortable counterweight when placing the food into my mouth in such a way that I only touch the food. However, it doesn’t do so well when placed on the side of a plate because they tend to tip over but once your guests learn to use the weight, your table cloth’s stays clean.

]]> By: Eric http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/comment-page-1/#comment-4042 Eric Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:42:20 +0000 http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/?p=568#comment-4042 That has to qualify as the best post ever on this site! That has to qualify as the best post ever on this site!

]]> By: Dirk http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/comment-page-1/#comment-4041 Dirk Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:17:12 +0000 http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/?p=568#comment-4041 Honestly, I've never, ever, eaten with chopsticks. But just the thought of it makes me happy. I'm going to buy chopsticks tonight, and practice. And then eat rice. With chicken. And fail. But I'll try again tomorrow. Etc. Honestly, I’ve never, ever, eaten with chopsticks.

But just the thought of it makes me happy. I’m going to buy chopsticks tonight, and practice. And then eat rice. With chicken. And fail.

But I’ll try again tomorrow.

Etc.

]]> By: Eric http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/comment-page-1/#comment-4040 Eric Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:50:42 +0000 http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/?p=568#comment-4040 Willy, thanks. Maybe it is an American thing, though I have seen plenty of Europeans mangle salads with knife and fork. Right tool for the right job is definitely the sentiment we agree on though .... As for soup, any soup that isn't a puree requires chopsticks, at least in my house. It's so pleasant to gently pluck the morsel, like a submersed salad. For the liquid, the bowl is just lifted to the lips for the two-handed drink. I really dislike metal spoons for soup (wooden spoons are better, but still a bit of a pain). On shoveling: not just elderly men! Young Japanese women shovel all the time! Industrial shoveling is the perfect descriptive phrase. Willy, thanks. Maybe it is an American thing, though I have seen plenty of Europeans mangle salads with knife and fork. Right tool for the right job is definitely the sentiment we agree on though ….

As for soup, any soup that isn’t a puree requires chopsticks, at least in my house. It’s so pleasant to gently pluck the morsel, like a submersed salad. For the liquid, the bowl is just lifted to the lips for the two-handed drink. I really dislike metal spoons for soup (wooden spoons are better, but still a bit of a pain).

On shoveling: not just elderly men! Young Japanese women shovel all the time! Industrial shoveling is the perfect descriptive phrase.

]]> By: Turkey Traveller http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/comment-page-1/#comment-4039 Turkey Traveller Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:35:38 +0000 http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/?p=568#comment-4039 I agree with Willy, this is a case of right tool for the right job, I don't fancy eating steak & ale pie with chopsticks! And as for the statement "the shoveling motion for which the fork is designed" you have obviously never seen an ederly Japanese man "shovel" a bowl of rice down at a speed which I could only describe as industrial I agree with Willy, this is a case of right tool for the right job, I don’t fancy eating steak & ale pie with chopsticks! And as for the statement “the shoveling motion for which the fork is designed” you have obviously never seen an ederly Japanese man “shovel” a bowl of rice down at a speed which I could only describe as industrial

]]> By: Willy http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/comment-page-1/#comment-4038 Willy Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:10:41 +0000 http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/?p=568#comment-4038 Ok, so reading this the first thought that popped into my head was "American". The way you describe the lumbering lack of elegance in eating with a fork immediately made me think of the way americans treat cutlery, as opposed to any european with a decent upbringing. Knives and forks are elegant and efficient tools when handled properly, much more so than chopsticks. Then again, eating japanese food with knives and forks does seem a bit odd. The right tool for the right job, that's my take on this. Oh, and I'd like to see you use either for soup. :p Ok, so reading this the first thought that popped into my head was “American”. The way you describe the lumbering lack of elegance in eating with a fork immediately made me think of the way americans treat cutlery, as opposed to any european with a decent upbringing. Knives and forks are elegant and efficient tools when handled properly, much more so than chopsticks. Then again, eating japanese food with knives and forks does seem a bit odd.

The right tool for the right job, that’s my take on this. Oh, and I’d like to see you use either for soup. :p

]]> By: Stuart http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/comment-page-1/#comment-4053 Stuart Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:05:46 +0000 http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/?p=568#comment-4053 I can't think of what to use as the base (except maybe popcorn) but finely ground parm and some smoked paprika sounds like it would work as breakaway "orange Stuff." I laughed out loud about using chopsticks for these, but something in me LIKES getting my fingers dirty. I can’t think of what to use as the base (except maybe popcorn) but finely ground parm and some smoked paprika sounds like it would work as breakaway “orange Stuff.” I laughed out loud about using chopsticks for these, but something in me LIKES getting my fingers dirty.

]]> By: Eric http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/comment-page-1/#comment-4052 Eric Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:53:56 +0000 http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/?p=568#comment-4052 Eating pasta with chopsticks is the best. Definitely no fork. Eating ice cream with chopsticks: easy! Just pinch off bites, till the end, then shovel, just like rice! I forgot about the added bonus of slowness, thanks for the reminder, Lydia. Man it's a been while since I've had a cheese curl. Perhaps there's a breakaway version of them lurking somewhere in someone's brain. Eating pasta with chopsticks is the best. Definitely no fork.

Eating ice cream with chopsticks: easy! Just pinch off bites, till the end, then shovel, just like rice!

I forgot about the added bonus of slowness, thanks for the reminder, Lydia.

Man it’s a been while since I’ve had a cheese curl. Perhaps there’s a breakaway version of them lurking somewhere in someone’s brain.

]]> By: Jess http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/2009/02/17/why-i-like-chopsticks-even-for-ice-cream/comment-page-1/#comment-4051 Jess Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:27:35 +0000 http://www.breakawaycook.com/blog/?p=568#comment-4051 Best use of chopsticks: Eating cheese curls. Good practice and it keeps your fingers orange-free! Best use of chopsticks: Eating cheese curls. Good practice and it keeps your fingers orange-free!

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