It seems like the holiday season sneaks up on me every year… I don’t know how it happens! One day it’s Labor Day and then before you know it –BAM!– it’s already New Year’s Eve. The holidays can become one big blur connecting one year to the next. In an effort to actually enjoy the holiday season instead of rushing through it, I have started trying to prepare for each respective holiday in advance.
Two years ago, my husband and I decided to purchase a wooden carving board for our holiday turkey since we were hosting Thanksgiving at our house for the first time. Until we were shopping online for just the right carving board, we had no idea that they required any additional upkeep beyond being washed after each use. Apparently wood can easily get dried out leading to cracks and warping if not properly maintained.
After doing our usual extensive online research we discovered Boos Block Mystery Oil and immediately ordered a bottle to try.
When we got our new cutting board home naturally I had washed it, but it needed a little bit of the conditioning oil before we used it for the first time. Thankfully, the mineral oil is non-toxic so it is safe to use on food preparation surfaces and the oil does not need to be washed or rinsed off before placing food on the board.
The product is so easy to use. Sprinkle a few drops at a time on the surface and rub them in with a clean cloth or rag. The wood will take in what it needs — keep applying additional drops of oil if the wood absorbs it but still appears dried out. You definitely don’t want there to be a lot of excess oil, but the wood should have a slightly richer color and a bit of a sheen to the surface.
I also always use the Mystery Oil on every surface of the board, including the edge, the back of the board, and the groove on the top that helps to catch any liquids coming from the prepared meats.
If you use your board more often than just during the holiday season, just keep in mind that you will need to condition your board more frequently. In case you’re worried that the Mystery Oil won’t solve your carving board’s already established issues, Boos also offers a heavy-duty Board Cream that contains a higher wax concentration for surfaces that have seen more wear and tear. The cream will not only help to repair the wood, but it will also prevent further damage so that you can keep using your carving board for years to come.
Whew! One less thing to worry about taking care of leading up to holiday meals. Planning out the grocery list always ends up being the most stressful part of my holiday prep — what about you? Let me know in the comments!
xx, Natalie
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