We should be cooking the majority of our own meals if we want to be as healthy as possible, and there are a number of cooking hacks you should learn to make navigating your way around the kitchen much easier. Even if you are no Martha Stewart, making small changes and incorporating simple kitchen tips and tricks into your daily life can help not only make the cooking process easier, but even more enjoyable.
As with most things in life, finding little shortcuts and hacks is always possible. Why not save time where and when you can? In addition to the time saved with these hacks, they will make your food more delicious and professional. Below is a list of some of the best cooking tips to try with your next meal.
15. Store Lettuce With A Paper Towel
This will keep it from browning prematurely because the paper towel will absorb excess moisture
14. Make Your Own Dressings
All you need is olive oil and your favorite spices to make a much healthier alternative to store-bought dressings.
13. Always Use The Best Onion For The Job
Each onion lends itself differently to certain dishes and uses in the kitchen. Be sure you know which onion to use!
12. Prevent Ice Cream From Hardening With Plastic Bags
Putting the container in a plastic bag before putting it in the freezer will keep it nice and soft for serving.
11. Take Off The Top Stem Of An Avocado To See If It Is Ripe
Take off the tiny little brown stem at the top of the avocado. If the color is bright green underneath, you know it is ready to eat!
10. Wet Fingers Before Removing Egg Shells
You will be amazed at how much easier you can grab those little egg shell shards.
9. Use A Cupcake Pan For Mini Taco Bowls
Just put small pieces of tortilla shaped into a bowl in a cupcake pan. They will create tiny tortilla bowls, perfect for dipping or filling!
8. Grate Your Butter
If you hate having to closely monitor the distribution of butter in your pan or pot, grate it first using a cheese grater. This also helps it melt more quickly.
7. Keep Burgers From Getting Too Thick During Cooking
Make an indent in the center of the patty to prevent it from getting too thick during cooking.
6. Use Cookie Cutters For Fried Eggs
Your kids will think you are super, super talented. You can also use onion rings or slices of bell pepper.
5. Run Bacon Under Cold Water Before Cooking
This will reduce shrinking by up to 50%!
4. Freeze Cookie Dough Balls
You can make individual treats whenever you want without having to make an entire batch.
3. Open Jars With A Bottle Opener
Don’t have a can opener on hand? No problem! Use a pointed-tip or rounded bottle opener to apply pressure to the lid and break the vacuum seal.
2. Place A Wooden Spoon Over A Pot To Keep It From Boiling Over
You won’t have to worry about leaving the room for a few minutes, only to come back and have the water sizzling all over your stove top. The spoon destabilizes the bubbles that occur during the boiling process, causing them to subside.
1. Use A Waffle Maker For Hash Browns
Form the diced or shredded potatoes into patty shapes, heat in waffle maker, and voila! Perfectly cooked hash browns.