Cutting Boards

    A knife is the most important tool in your kitchen -- but it's only as good as the surface you cut on.
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    cutting boards

    1) Epicurean Cutting Surfaces 13-by-18-inch Richlite Cutting Board
    (Wood fiber composite laminate)
    $63, cooking.com
    UPSIDE Feels like wood under the knife; dishwasher safe.
    DOWNSIDE Can be more expensive than other materials.

    2) Chefmate 14-by-17-inch Poly Cutting Board
    (Polyethylene)
    $10, target.com
    UPSIDE Inexpensive; lightweight; dishwasher safe.
    DOWNSIDE Hard surface is less knife friendly than wood. Board slips easily on counter.

    3) Catskill Craftsmen 15½-by-20-inch End-Grain Cutting Board
    (End-grain Wood)
    $60, macys.com
    UPSIDE Sturdy, stable and attractive; softens the blow of knives.
    DOWNSIDE Must be hand-washed and oiled regularly. Thinner boards warp easily.

    4) Sani-Tuff 12-by-18-inch All Rubber Cutting Board
    (Rubber)
    $35, jbprince.com
    UPSIDE Grippy surface holds board (and food) in place; easy on knives.
    DOWNSIDE Soft surface is vulnerable to nicks and dents.

    5) Flexible 14-by-14-inch Grip Mats
    (Flexible plastic (polypropylene))
    $13 for a set of four, crateandbarrel.com
    UPSIDE Cheap; easy to clean after cutting raw chicken and fish; dishwasher safe.
    DOWNSIDE Food slips on the board. Too flimsy for most chopping jobs.

    USE YOUR CUTTING BOARD TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

    Chop-Chop with Spicy French Dressing

    *Prices and other details were accurate when we published this article in June 2006.