Vegetable & Fruit Prep
How do I prep this?
Ingredient by ingredient: how to clean, peel, core and cut, with the knife cuts that suit it and recipes to use it in.
Vegetables
- OnionPeel, halve through the root and dice or slice — the full masterclass covers every cut and cooking stage.
- GarlicSeparate, peel and slice, mince or crush into a paste.
- GingerScrape the skin off with a spoon, then slice, julienne, mince or grate.
- CarrotPeel and cut into rounds, batons, julienne, dice or roll-cut chunks.
- PotatoScrub or peel; cut evenly and keep cut potatoes in water if not cooking at once.
- TomatoCore, then slice, dice, deseed or peel (concassé).
- Bell pepperCut the walls off the core in four flat panels, then slice or dice.
- Fresh chilliesSlice, slit or mince; remove the placenta (white ribs) and seeds for less heat.
- CucumberPeel in stripes or fully, deseed for crisp salads, then slice, dice or smash.
- LeekTrim, split and wash out grit between the layers.
- Spring onionTrim roots, slice whites and greens separately.
- Broccoli and cauliflowerCut into even florets; peel and slice the stalk too.
- CabbageQuarter, cut out the core and shred finely.
- Eggplant / aubergineCut into rounds, cubes or wedges; salting is optional for modern varieties.
- Zucchini / courgetteTrim and slice into rounds, half-moons, batons or ribbons.
- MushroomsWipe or rinse briefly, trim stems, then slice or quarter.
- SweetcornHusk, then cut kernels off the cob into a bowl.
- Spinach and leafy greensWash well in plenty of water, strip tough stems, then chop or shred.
- Fresh herbsWash and dry thoroughly; use tender stems, discard woody ones; chop with a sharp knife.
- Butternut squash and pumpkinSeparate neck from bulb, peel, scoop seeds, then cube.
- BeetrootCook whole and rub off the skin, or peel raw and grate.
- OkraWash and dry completely before cutting, to limit sliminess.
- AsparagusSnap or trim the woody base; peel thick stems.
Fruit
- Mango (hedgehog and cubes)Slice the two cheeks off the flat stone, score a grid, and push the skin inside out.
- PineappleTop and tail, cut the skin off in strips, remove the 'eyes' and core.
- PomegranateScore, break open along the membranes and tap the seeds (arils) out.
- AvocadoHalve around the stone, twist apart, remove the stone safely and scoop.
- Citrus: zest, segments and supremesZest before juicing; for supremes, cut away peel and pith, then slice between the membranes.
- Melon and watermelonHalve, scoop seeds (melon), cut into wedges, then slice off the rind.
- PapayaHalve, scoop out seeds, peel and cut; green papaya is shredded.
- KiwiTop and tail, then slide a spoon under the skin to scoop it out whole.
- Strawberries and berriesWash just before using, then hull.
- Apple and pearQuarter and cut out the core; slow browning with lemon.
- Fresh coconutDrain the water, crack along the equator, prise out the flesh.
- Banana and plantainBananas peel by hand; green plantains need slitting and peeling with a knife.