Ep 17. Fit to Be Tied

In this episode of Good Eats, titled Fit to Be Tied, host Alton Brown takes a closer look at the art of tying knots for cooking. As he explains, it's not enough to simply loop a piece of string around your roast or other food item. The right knot can mean the difference between a perfectly cooked dish and one that falls apart on the plate.

To start, Alton goes over the basics of knot tying, from the simple overhand knot to more complex techniques like the hitch knot. He explains the importance of choosing the right type of string or twine for your job, and why certain materials are better suited to certain types of cooking.

From there, Alton gets into the nitty-gritty of knot tying, demonstrating how to tie a variety of knots that are commonly used in cooking. One of the first knots he covers is the butcher's knot, which is perfect for tying up roasts and other large cuts of meat. Alton walks viewers through the steps of tying the knot, explaining the key factors to consider when deciding how tight to make the tie and how to finish off the knot properly.

Next up, Alton tackles the slip knot, which is used for securing lid covers on cooking vessels, and the half hitch, which is ideal for securing items like garlic cloves or herbs inside a piece of cheesecloth. He also demonstrates how to tie more specialized knots like the seaman's bend, which is used to tie together two pieces of fish fillet for poaching.

Throughout the episode, Alton sprinkles in plenty of helpful tips and tricks for knot tying, such as how to avoid tangles and how to make sure your knots are secure without over-tightening them. He also takes viewers on a brief history lesson, explaining the origins of various knots and how they've been adapted for use in cooking over the years.

As the episode progresses, Alton uses his newfound knot-tying skills to prepare a variety of dishes. He uses a butcher's knot to tie up a juicy pork roast, shows how to use a slip knot to secure a pot lid over a simmering stew, and uses a half hitch to keep herbs and garlic cloves together while they simmer in a pot.

By the end of the episode, viewers will have a newfound appreciation for the art of knot tying in the kitchen, as well as the skills and techniques needed to properly tie various knots for cooking. Whether you're a novice cook looking to up your game or a seasoned pro looking to learn a few new tips and tricks, Fit to Be Tied is a must-watch episode of Good Eats.