How To: Chiffonade

Chiffonade (pronounced chef-fon-nahd), a culinary term for finely slicing leafy herbs or vegetables, is easy to master and makes a simple garnish of basil look even more elegant. Here's how to do it: Stack clean, de-stemmed leaves of basil (or any other leafy green) in piles of three to six leaves and tightly roll them lengthwise into a cigar-like shape. Use a sharp knife to make thin slices across the rolled leaves. Shake the slices gently to unfurl the whisper-thin tendrils and then use as your recipe directs.