Session 3 — Rock Chop vs. Push Cut
← Block 1–2: Knife Skills & Kitchen Setup Overview
Skill: Mince a full head of garlic and a large bunch of flat-leaf parsley before you start cooking. Use two strokes deliberately — the rock chop (blade tip stays on the board, heel rocks) and the push cut (blade lifts fully, pushes through cleanly). Notice the difference in speed and texture. The rock chop gives control; the push cut gives speed. Both have their place.
Full Meal: Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp scampi is built almost entirely on well-minced garlic and parsley. Your drill is the most important prep step in the dish.
| Component | Recipe |
|---|---|
| Protein | Shrimp, sautéed in garlic butter and white wine |
| Veg/Salad | Arugula, Fennel & Orange Salad |
| Starch | Crusty bread or linguine — if linguine, finish it in the scampi pan with a splash of pasta water |
🎥 Compare Notes: Knife Skills: How to Mince Shallots — Shallots, garlic, parsley — same motions, different ingredient. Watch how he uses the rock chop and push cut interchangeably depending on the task.