The product we used:
Food Prep Without a Knife or Cutting Board
When it comes to food prep, if I have a cutting job to do, I usually reach straight for a knife. It just feels right. I guess many of Globalkitchen Japan’s very smart and handsome customers feel the same way.
But after having kids, my mind opened to other possibilities for using kitchen scissors beyond opening mail, food and kitchen utensil packaging, etc. I realized that valuable kitchen efficiency was laying dormant in the drawer, waiting for its time to come.
Now is that time. It’s time for our kitchen scissors to take their rightful place in our kitchen routines. Let’s look at some of the many uses for kitchen scissors and reimagine food preparation with our snip snipping friends.
Reduce Work and Stress with Scissors
We at Globalkitchen Japan love our knives and cutting boards. But sometimes it’s overkill to bring out the big guns when a quick snip and a rinse will do. We already have enough dishes to clean as it is.
Knives and cutting boards are essential for certain jobs, but scissors have their own unique utility, too. Handling sharp knives around kids can be stressful. Who knows what those buggers are going to do if you don’t keep one laser-eye on them? Plus, you might slip and drop the knife. On the other hand, scissors have an extra secure grip and typically don’t have or need a pointy tip or super-sharp edge. Scissors aren’t just useful for what they can do–they are useful for what they can’t do, too.
Ways to Use Kitchen Scissors
Here are some practical ways to incorporate kitchen scissors into your cooking routine:
Cutting Vegetables
Use kitchen scissors to snip green onions or herbs like cilantro or basil directly into your dish for vibrant flavor. Trim asparagus, chop spinach, or slice mushrooms with ease. For quick salads, cut lettuce or cucumbers right into the bowl. Scissors offer precision and speed, especially for smaller tasks. You also don’t need a cutting board; you can cut food directly onto your plate or other working surface.
Preparing Chicken
Kitchen scissors make poultry prep a snap. Trim excess fat, cut boneless chicken thighs into chunks for Japanese-style fried chicken, or break down a whole bird by cutting along the backbone for spatchcocking. Their sharp blades glide through cartilage and small bones, making tasks like deboning thighs or portioning wings effortless. I use them to snip the tendons on chicken wings to make them easier to eat, especially for the kids.
Opening Bottles
Many kitchen scissors have a built-in bottle opener in the handle. Simply grip the cap with the notched area and twist to pop open soda or beer bottles. It’s a convenient feature that keeps you from hunting for a separate opener.
Unscrewing Jar Lids or Cracking Nuts
Struggling with a stubborn jar lid? Use the sturdy handles of your scissors to grip and twist, breaking the seal with ease. For nuts like walnuts or pecans, place them between the handles and apply gentle pressure to crack the shell—a handy trick for small snacking tasks.
Opening Cans
Some kitchen scissors have a spudger built-in, giving you the ability to pry open certain kinds of cans.
Additional Uses
Beyond the basics, kitchen scissors can shine in unexpected ways:
Trimming Dough: Shape pie crusts or trim excess dough from pastries for a polished look.
Cutting Noodles: Snip cooked spaghetti noodles for the kids is one of my favorite uses for kitchen scissors.
Prepping Seafood: Trim fish fins or cut through shrimp shells for easy peeling.
Chopping Dried Fruit: Dice sticky dried apricots or dates without gumming up a knife.
How to Disassemble Kitchen Scissors
Kitchen scissors are usually capable of being disassembled, allowing you to easily clean both halves. The Kurichu Stainless Steel scissors pictured in this article can be disassembled by doing the following:
Open the Scissors: Spread the blades fully to access the pivot point.
Separate the Blades: Gently pull the two halves apart.
Clean Thoroughly: Wash each blade and handle with warm soapy water to remove food residue.
Reassemble: Realign the blades at the pivot and close them back together.
Staying Hygienic with Easy Cleaning
Detachable kitchen scissors are a hygiene win. Unlike fixed-blade scissors, you can clean every surface, preventing food buildup and bacteria. After use, disassemble the scissors, wash with dish soap, and dry completely to avoid rust. For stubborn residue, soak in warm water before scrubbing. This ensures your scissors stay sanitary and ready for the next task.
