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On the last brightening, after all the rest of it was done, Tania came back one more time, and this time her basket was filled with implements which clattered and rattled. Jaki greeted her with a smile and nodded to her, motioning her to come in.
Now, Jaki Tania said quietly with a smile at her pupil This brightening we are going to look at the care of our implements. For any cook, no matter whether they are preparing stew at home or cooking a banquet for the Empress is only as good as the implements they use. The finest ingredients can be ruined by the use of an improper or badly cared for tool, so today we will go through each of them. Then,when we are done, you will explain them to me again.
Then, for the next candlemark they went through each utensil with Jaki listening carefully and making notes. When they were done, Tania looked at her and smiled. Now it is your turn - tell me all about them all, please.. start with this one
Jaki went through each of the utensils, carefully describing each one, from the spatula used to lift food from the gridle, to the gridle itself. She showed Tania how to use the skewers and what they would be used for and how the tongs could be used to get hot food from the stove. She told her the importance of a wooden spoon in making pastry and how earthenware bowls were good for heat, but how some of the cheaper ones could crack with too much use.
Then, she continued to explain how to clean each of them, especially things such as the strangely shaped device that was used to strain vegetables. This contraption, with slitted edges to let out the water was important to clean, she explained, because it would quickly become very unhygenic and that would be a concern if food rotted in the gaps between the slits.
Finally, with some trepidation, as Tania had done before her, Jaki took one of the large carving knives to the whet stone and carefully sharpened it. Always moving away from her body and with slow, regular movements that went right the way along the knife she alternated the sides that she sharpened in rhythmic motion...left... right....left.... right. That, she explained, ensured that the knife was even and did not slip when cutting.
As she put the last of the utensils, a hammer used for pounding steak and other meats, with a knobbled effect on the edges of it to ensure that the meat was fully tenderised, she explained how important it was, again for reasons of cleanliness, to scrub that area with a brush, ensuring that no meat was caught in between the knobbly-bits. Then, as she breathed in, she looked up at Tania with a slightly rueful smile
How did I do?
She asked. Tania smiled and nodded I would say that you did well. You have a good memory and an attention to detail. Keep practicing, and maybe I'll see you when you want to learn some more? she asked.
Jaki nodded, and smiled, pleased to have completed the training she had been dettermined to undertake.
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