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10 Clever Kitchen Hacks You Wish You Knew Sooner
If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you know how tedious some tasks can be. But there are always ways to make things easier and take shortcuts. Here are 10 clever kitchen hacks you wish you knew sooner:
- Rolling up leafy greens in paper towels to keep them fresh longer
- Using a muffin tin to make perfectly portioned meatloaf or egg in a hole
- Freezing herbs in olive oil for quick and easy flavor boosters
- Using a pizza cutter to cut pancakes, waffles, and quesadillas
- Putting a wooden spoon on top of a pot to prevent boiling over
- Filling a plastic bag with pancake batter for mess-free pancakes
- Using a clothespin to hold a nail while hammering
- Peeling garlic using a mason jar
- Sharpening knives using the bottom of a ceramic mug
- Cutting cherry tomatoes using two plates and a knife
These clever kitchen hacks will save you time and energy in the kitchen. Give them a try!
1. Use a Clothespin to Hold Your Spoon
When you’re cooking, you’re constantly grabbing your spoon to stir or taste your food. Instead of constantly setting it on the counter or stove, use a clothespin to clip it to the side of the pot. This keeps it from sliding in and getting messy and makes it easier to grab when you need it.
2. Freeze Leftover Wine for Cooking
If you’ve ever found yourself with leftover wine from a bottle that you don’t want to drink, don’t throw it away. Pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it. This way, you’ll always have wine on-hand for cooking without having to open a new bottle.
3. Use a Rubber Band to Open a Stubborn Jar Lid
If you’re having trouble opening a jar, wrap a rubber band around the lid for extra grip. This will make it easier to twist and pop the lid off.
4. Use a Muffin Tin to Organize Ingredients
When you’re prepping ingredients for a recipe, use a muffin tin to keep them organized. You can put different ingredients in each of the cups and keep them separated and easy to access.
5. Use a Pizza Cutter to Cut Pancakes
If you have kids (or you just love pancakes), use a pizza cutter to quickly and easily cut pancakes into bite-sized pieces. This is much faster than using a knife and fork and makes it easier for kids to eat.
6. Use a Binder Clip to Hold Your Recipe
If you’re using a recipe from your computer or phone, clip it to a cabinet or shelf with a binder clip. This keeps it out of the way and makes it easier to read while you’re cooking.
7. Use Cooking Spray to Easily Measure Sticky Ingredients
If you’re measuring sticky ingredients like honey or molasses, spray your measuring cup with cooking spray first. This will help the sticky ingredients slide out easily without leaving a mess behind.
8. Use a Citrus Juicer to Juice Lemons and Limes
If you’re tired of getting juice all over your hands when you squeeze lemons and limes, use a citrus juicer. This makes it easier to get all the juice out and keeps your hands clean.
9. Use a Plastic Bag to Quickly Soften Butter
If you need to soften butter quickly, put it in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin or meat mallet to flatten it out. This will make it easier to mix into your recipe.
10. Use a Whisk to Quickly Scramble Eggs
If you’re making scrambled eggs, use a whisk instead of a fork to mix them up. This will make them fluffier and cook more evenly.
Conclusion
These 10 kitchen hacks will make your life easier and your cooking more efficient. Give them a try the next time you’re in the kitchen!
References
10 Useful Kitchen Tricks for Faster Meal Preparation
1. Organize Your Ingredients
One of the best kitchen tricks is to get your ingredients organized before starting to cook. This will save you time and also make your cooking process smoother. Chop your vegetables ahead of time, and place them in separate bowls so you can easily access them.
2. Use Your Microwave for More Than Just Reheating
Microwaves are not just for reheating leftovers. You can also use them to cook a variety of foods such as poached eggs, steamed veggies, and even cakes. This is a quick and easy way to save time and energy.
3. Use Your Slow Cooker to Make Bulk Meals
A slow cooker is a great tool for making bulk meals, which can save you time and money. You can easily make big batches of chili, soup, stew, and other dishes that can be frozen and reheated for later meals.
4. Freeze Your Leftovers
Freezing is a great way to keep your leftovers fresh for later meals. You can also freeze extra herbs, fruits, and vegetables that you won’t be able to use before they go bad. This is a great way to reduce food waste and save money.
5. Use a Garlic Press to Minimize Preparation Time
A garlic press is a must-have tool for any cook. It quickly and easily minces garlic, saves you time, and also ensures that your garlic is evenly distributed in your dish.
6. Use a Food Processor for Tough Jobs
A food processor is a powerful tool that can chop and grind food quickly and easily. It’s perfect for tasks such as making bread crumbs, chopping vegetables, and even making nut butter. It saves you time and effort compared to doing those tasks by hand.
7. Create a Meal Plan
Creating a weekly meal plan can save you time and also ensure that you use up all of the ingredients in your kitchen. It also helps you avoid making last-minute trips to the grocery store, which can save you money and reduce food waste.
8. Use Different Cuts of Meat
You can save time and money by using different cuts of meat in your cooking. For example, chicken thighs are cheaper than chicken breasts, and they also have more flavor. Use different cuts of meat in your recipes to add variety and reduce costs.
9. Sharpen Your Knives Regularly
A sharp knife is crucial for efficient cooking. You can save time and effort by sharpening your knives regularly. You’ll be able to chop ingredients more quickly and also avoid injury.
10. Cleanup as You Go
One of the best time-saving kitchen tricks is to clean up as you go. This means washing dishes and wiping down counters as you cook. It saves you time and also ensures that you have a clean environment to work in.
Outbound link: Kitchen – for more information on kitchen tips and tricks.
10 Clever Kitchen Hacks You Wish You Knew Sooner
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1. Keep herbs fresh for longer
Place fresh herbs in a glass of water just like flowers in a vase and cover loosely with a plastic bag. Change the water every few days and your herbs will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
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2. Peel ginger with a spoon
Forget using a knife. Just use the edge of a spoon to scrape the tough skin off ginger root. This method is more efficient and wastes less of the ginger.
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3. Slice cherry tomatoes with ease
Put cherry tomatoes between two plates and gently press down on the top plate to hold them in place. Then, run a sharp knife between the plates to simultaneously slice all the tomatoes in half.
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4. Test the freshness of eggs
Place an egg in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs sink to the bottom and lay flat on their side. Older eggs will stand up at an angle or float to the top. If it floats, it’s best to toss it.
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5. Keep brown sugar soft
Add a slice of bread or a small terra cotta disc to your brown sugar container to keep it from clumping and hardening. Replace the slice or disc every few months to ensure freshness.
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6. Clean a blender with ease
Add a drop of dish soap and some warm water to your blender and blend for a few seconds. Rinse thoroughly and dry, and your blender will be clean without any effort.
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7. Cut the fat from soups and stews
Place a piece of lettuce on the surface of your soup or stew to attract and absorb excess fat. Remove the lettuce after a few minutes and discard. Your soup will be less greasy and healthier.
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8. Get rid of garlic smell from your hands
Rub your hands with a stainless steel spoon or the flat part of a chef’s knife under cold running water to remove the odor of garlic. This works with other strong-smelling ingredients like onions and fish as well.
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9. Make whipped cream in a jar
Put heavy cream and a sweetener like sugar or honey in a jar and shake vigorously for a few minutes. The cream will thicken and turn into whipped cream.
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10. Keep a cutting board from slipping
Place a damp towel or paper towel under the cutting board to prevent it from slipping while you’re chopping ingredients.
1. Avoid tears while cutting onions
- Chill the onions in the fridge for 15 minutes before cutting them.
- Wear goggles while cutting onions.
2. Keep herbs fresh for longer
- Store herbs like basil, mint, and cilantro in a jar of water like a bouquet of flowers.
3. Easily peel garlic cloves
- Place the garlic cloves in a bowl and cover with another bowl. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds and watch the peeled cloves emerge.
4. Reheat pizza without making it soggy
- Place a slice of pizza in a non-stick pan and heat on medium-low until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
5. Make perfect pancakes every time
- Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the pancake batter for fluffy pancakes every time.
6. Stop fruits from browning
- Sprinkle lemon juice on sliced fruits like apples and pears to prevent browning.
7. Keep brown sugar soft
- Place a slice of bread in the brown sugar container and seal tightly. The bread will keep the sugar moist and soft.
8. Prevent spills while boiling pasta
- Place a wooden spoon across the pot to prevent the water from boiling over.
9. Easily remove eggshells
- Add a teaspoon of baking soda to the boiling water before cooking the eggs. The shells will slide right off.
10. Preserve cut avocados
- Brush the cut surface of the avocado with lemon juice and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
