The following terms refer to different ways of cutting your food.
Chop
Chop is a general term and generally refers to cutting your food into large or medium-sized pieces (depending on what the recipe calls for.)
Dice
The word "dice" means to cut something into small, uniform cubes.
Mince
Mincing refers to cutting your food very finely (pretty much into the smallest pieces possible). The term is often used for mincing garlic, onion, and fresh herbs. Although you can certainly buy a special mincing knife, you can also use your standard chef's knife to mince by frequently going over the food you are chopping with a rocking motion. 1
Slice
Slicing is a very basic technique. To slice vegetables, meat, etc., lay the item on a flat surface, hold it firmly with your free hand, place the tip of the knife against the cutting board so the blade is above whatever you're cutting, and then pull the knife backwards and down to slice through. 2
Julienne
The julienne cut, otherwise known as the matchstick cut, refers to cutting vegetables or potatoes into uniform thin sticks by first cutting the food into a rectangular shape. 3
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How to Cook Everything
If you are teaching yourself how to cook, this guide is a must have reference book.
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