There couldn’t be a better time for this, so here it is: BE CAREFUL IN THE KITCHEN. Everyone on TV makes it look easy, and so many blogs out there tell you how easy lots of things are to make, and they are easy! But you always have to pay attention, and be careful. It’s common sense, but I am taking this moment to let you know because I hurt myself in the kitchen the other day.
I am by no means a “seasoned professional” or anywhere near a professional (I have never been paid for my cooking services!). I have, however, been cooking on and off, for about 16 years, much more regularly for the past 4, and in true, genuine earnest, I would only say for about the past 6 months.
Having said all that, I made an extremely careless mistake the other night, and I paid for it.
I was feeling a bit lazy, and was about to make chowder, so I had the bacon going and had the mesh bag of potatoes in front of me. Instead of turning and grabbing the scissors from the drawer, I took the tip of my (new, extremely sharp) knife and poked it through the mesh midway through, and yanked hard to the right to open the bag.
Now, I’ve done this before- MANY TIMES- but never with this knife. I don’t know exactly what was different this time- how sharp the knife was? How quickly I did it? Did I maybe turn my head for a second, and my finger slipped down and got right in the path of the blade?
All I do know is that I felt a sharp pain as I dropped the knife and looked at my finger. I just saw a line across my left index finger and thought, it’s just a small cut, no big deal, until it started gushing, pouring blood. I’ve never seen my finger bleed like so!
I managed to stem the flow of blood and get it bandaged, but still, I’ve learned my lesson: no matter how many times you’ve done something, pay attention. There are many ways to get hurt in the kitchen, not least of all the knives, but hot liquids, heavy pots, anything. Be careful.
Happy eating and have a good weekend!!!
tt says
ouch! hope your finger is better now!
I was watching iron chef last sunday and as I was watching I kept saying to myself…this guy is SO familiar! then it hit me…and I reread your review on his restaurant! =)
Allison says
Oh no! Feel better! Son did that once about a year ago when he was trying to cut up some veggies for dinner… I no longer let him touch knives. Hehe but of course, I know you are much more experienced at using knives than he is (he does NOT cook at all!) Be careful and feel better!
Jerry says
I’ve nicked myself more times than I care to mention, and I pulled the same stunt with my mandoline once out of carelessness. It took two months for that one to heal.
I hope you’re feeling better, Yvo
SkippyMom says
Oh sweetie…I hope you are okay soon.
I think of how many times I have opened onions and potatoes like that…well no more…
Kitchen safety is the one thing I teach the kids…and if you aren’t tall enough to touch the wall behind the stove [safely] then you aren’t big enough to cook on it…took the Squirrel forever to reach that height…and the Porcupine is pouting now b/c she hasn’t made it yet.
Thanks for the reminder and hope you heal up soooooooon!
Hugs!
soopling says
oddly, i just cut my finger this weekend while cooking as well. that rarely happens…and i cook a fair amount. once it was on the sharp edge of a tin can lid that i had stupidly left still sticking up from the can after i poured out its contents. that sucker bled forever.