Simple Shredding: The “Straight-Stack Method” for Block-Like Foods

To cut block-like foods—a slab of pressed tofu or a piece of flank steak, for example—into ⅛–¼-inch thick shreds requires combining horizontal and vertical slicing in a simple two-step sequence.

Step #1 is to slice the food horizontally with “flying fingers.” Step #2 is to stack the slices neatly in an upright pile, then cut the stack vertically into shreds using “curved knuckles.” For ¼-inch thick toothy shreds, make both the horizontal and vertical cuts at even ¼-inch intervals. For ⅛-inch thin “matchstick” shreds, make both series of cuts precisely ⅛ inch apart. If the resulting shreds are too long, gather them together, then cut them crosswise to the desired length.