Lately, we’ve found ourselves spending more time in the kitchen than usual, as cooking and eating are comforting for the body and soul. Still, as much as one might enjoy cooking for their family, it is still a time-consuming task and one that requires significant effort and patience, given that these days kids are at home so you have to be on top of everything now more than ever before!
The following hacks are here to help you spend less time in the kitchen and put less effort into it.
1. Store Tomatoes Stem End Down
Did you know that your tomatoes will last longer if you store them stem end down on your countertop at room temperature? Maybe it’s time to try it!
2. Make An Omelet Using A Panini Maker
Have you ever thought of that? Well, it’s practically the same thing, plus you don’t need to flip your omelet. Quite messy for the panini maker, but still an option!
Cold butter can be a nightmare to cut into cubes needed for a variety of pastries. However, you can replace the cubing step by grating it!
4. Scoop Broken Shells Easily
It happens all the time that small shell pieces fall into your egg bowl. Instead of using your finger, you can use the eggshell itself to scoop them up!
5. Repurpose A Ketchup Bottle
Scooping your pancake batter into your pan using a spoon or ladle probably doesn’t give you the perfect shape you’re looking for. Try using a clean ketchup bottle instead- much better, right?
If you are to serve fruit, make sure you cut them last-minute so that oxidization is prevented. Another idea could be to put them into a bowl that contains one part honey and three parts water.
Does your recipe require eggs at room temperature but you forgot to take them out of the fridge in time? No worries, just dip them in warm water for three minutes, and you’ll be good to go!
8. Protect Your Pie Crust
If you’re worried your pie crust might burn in the oven, you can cut a hole at the bottom of an aluminum pie plate and place it on top of your crust.
Instead of using a fork, you can make your life easier by using a potato masher to mash your avocado.
Want crispy bacon, but looking for an easier alternative? Instead of using a pan, you can use a waffle or panini maker- so your pan can be used for other yummy recipes!
11. Check Egg Freshness Easily
Not sure whether your eggs are still fresh and fit for consumption? No worries! You can carry out this simple freshness test, by placing your egg in a glass of water.
12. How To Properly Peel A Mandarin Orange
You might be thinking that peeling a mandarin orange is something that you already know how to do, but are you sure? Take a look at the following tutorial- how neat is that?
14. Freeze Leftover Sauce
If you have leftover sauce at the end of the dinner, you can totally freeze it and then use it whenever you need it, saving yourself the fuss of making it all over again. Not to mention you cut down on food waste!
You can easily peel garlic by separating the cloves from the bulbs, then whack them using the handle of a knife or a spoon.
Want to make a bamboo steamer at home? Just use an aluminum pie plate like
so.
Hard boiled eggs can be but in a container with a lid, given a hard shake and… there you have them! Eggshells all smashed ready to peel off in the blink of an eye.
17. Cookie Cutters Are So Versatile
Who said cookie cutters are only for cookies? You can also use them to decorate cakes using a variety of ingredients like sprinkles, powdered sugar, etc.
Lace is another great alternative to the cookie cutter. You can place lace on top of your cake and sprinkle powdered sugar on top of it. Take it off and enjoy the amazing result!
When you put your fruit in the wine to marinate, it tends to float, so a good way to make sure it won’t is to place ice on top so it weighs down the fruit.
Cutting off the corn kernels is not an easy job, but you can make it easier than usual if you arrange the corn in the hole of a bundt pan. This way it won’t slip and the kernels won’t fly all over the place.
21. Fresh Cookies For Longer
Nothing compares to a freshly baked cookie. Keep them fresh longer by putting them in an airtight container and adding in there with them a slice of bread.
If you want to decorate a cake but want to avoid store-bought fondant, you can make your own by following this simple
recipe.
Want to use leftover pasta? You can reheat it easily and effectively by putting it in the microwave in the shape of a donut. It will reheat much more evenly this way.
If you’re sick of bending spoons in your attempts to scoop some ice cream out of the container, then try putting te container in a freezer bag. Make sure you push out as much of the air as possible before closing the bag.
25. Slide-proof Cutting Board
Sliding cutting boards and sharp knives don’t go together! That’s why you should place a wet paper towel underneath the cutting board in order to prevent potential accidents.
Dental floss is more versatile than you thought! Besides flossing your teeth, you can use it to slice cakes, cookie dough or soft cheeses without smooshing them.
If you want to open that stubborn jar, try stretching a rubber band around the lid. This should make it easier to open.
Make your own sippy cup by stretching some Press’n Seal over a cut and poke a straw in the middle. How easy was that?
Use a pizza cutter to to cut your kids’ pancakes, waffles, you name it!
Healthy, nutritious, and delicious. Make your own at home by following the simple instructions
here.
If you want to make cake pops but don’t have a holder for them to set on, then simply use a colander like so.
32. Paper Plates When Mixing
If you’ve ever whisked heavy cream with an electric mixer, then you know it has the tendency to fly everywhere. Not to mention powdered sugar! In order to prevent this, you can use a paper plate as shown below.
33. Mason Jars For Storage
You can use mason jars to store small things like cupcake liners. This way they will be in one place and it will be easier for you to find them.
34. Keep Your Guacamole Green
If you are serving guacamole, the wisest thing to do is make it last. Otherwise, you can follow the tips
here to prevent it from turning brown.
35. Scrambled Eggs In The Microwave
Don’t want to put more stuff in your pans but want to make some scrambled eggs? Then just pop your eggs in a cup and in the microwave they go! Follow the detailed recipe
here.
If you want to make a heart-shaped cake but don’t have a heart-shaped pan, then you can follow the steps shown in the picture. You’ll only need a square pan and a round pan!
Planning on making a bunch of muffins this Easter? Make sure their bottom won’t get soggy if you use berries or sticky if you use chocolate chips, by coating them in some flour before adding them to the batter.
38. Fancy Chocolate Peels
Use a potato peeler to create fancy chocolate peels for cake and sweets decoration.
If you still want to make cake, but are looking for some healthy substitutions, a good idea is to replace butter with applesauce.
If you’re looking for an easy way to pit your cherries, you can follow the instructions shown in the picture. You only need a bottle and a chopstick.
If you want to make the most of your lemons, you can roll them applying some pressure before juicing them.
42. No-Mess Melted Chocolate
If you want to melt some chocolate without fearing it would burn and stick to the pan, you can put the chocolate in mason jars and then place them in the slow cooker.
Here are the detailed instructions.
43. How To Swirl Colored Icing
If you want to swirl colored icing, you can combine the piping bags containing the different colors like shown in the picture.
If you want to chill your wine without watering it down, you can freeze some grapes and pop them in your glass!
Has your brown sugar turned too hard to handle? Make it nice and soft again by placing it in a microwave-save container, cover it with a moist paper towel and microwave it for 20′.
To make sure your cake bakes evenly, just carefully drop it on the counter a few times to remove air bubbles.
If you love baking brownies for your family but hate having to scrub the pan afterwards, then you can line the pan with parchment paper and then pour the batter. This way you’ll be able to get the brownies out of the pan more easily, plus no scrubbing will be needed!
Did you know that you can easily peel ginger using a spoon? It appears it was much easier than we thought!
Most of the time, especially when it comes to sweets, you have to measure the ingredients. We all know how messy measuring honey can get, right? All you need to do it spray your measuring cup with non-stick spray and then pour your honey in it. You’re welcome!
50. How To Preserve Herbs
Freeze your clean and chopped herbs in some olive oil so that you have them on hand whenever you need them!
We are sure that all the above gave you an idea of how you can make your life easier in the kitchen. Now, you can go ahead, put them into practice and enjoy cooking!
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Lately, we’ve found ourselves spending more time in the kitchen than usual, as cooking and eating are comforting for the body and soul. Still, as much as one might enjoy cooking for their family, it is still a time-consuming task and one that requires significant effort and patience, given that these days kids are at home so you have to be on top of everything now more than ever before!
The following hacks are here to help you spend less time in the kitchen and put less effort into it.
