Whether you're a novice home cook or have been cooking for years, these kitchen hacks will help you make tastier food - easier! We browsed online internet forums and asked fellow foodies about their best tips - and here's the result. From time-saving techniques to flavor-enhancing tricks, these "hacks" will help you cook like a pro in no time! And no, they're not all the same old tips you've heard over and over! I'm a professional recipe creator, and even I didn't know all of these.
Meal Prep
Planning and prepping your meals in advance can save you a ton of time and effort - especially during hectic weeks. Spend some time on the weekend chopping veggies, marinating meat, and portioning out ingredients. Not only does this streamline your cooking process, it also encourages healthier eating choices since you can make sure to always have nutritious meals ready to go.
Always Taste Test
Taste testing is probably the most important thing you can do to become a better home cook. It's so easy, yet very effective. Everyone's palate is different, and the spices and other ingredients you use are likely not exactly the same as what the recipe creator used. So don't worry about following the recipe exactly. Sure, start there - but then taste test as you go, and add more or less of whatever you need to make it "just right" for you.
Of course, you should never taste test things that can not be safely consumed, like raw or undercooked chicken. But even in those cases, do make sure to taste test once it's fully cooked, and make sure it's seasoned to your liking before serving.
Room Temp Meat
For perfectly cooked meat, always allow it to come to room temperature first. Whether you're grilling steaks or roasting a chicken, this simple step ensures more even cooking, resulting in juicier and more flavorful meals. If you start with cold meat it can also cool down the pan so much that you lose out on that nice sear!
Crack Eggs Flat
One foodie shared a genius tip: "Crack your eggs on a flat surface instead of the edge of a pan. Once you get the hang of it, it sends a perfect crack right down the middle with no chance of shell getting into the egg." I had no idea this was even a thing, but I've tried it now, and believe me, it works!
Wear Gloves
Donning gloves in the kitchen can be a great idea, particularly when handling ingredients like chilies and garlic. These items can leave a lingering scent on your skin, and the oils from chili peppers can lead to skin irritation - or worse, if they come into contact with your eyes! Bonus tip: wearing gloves when mixing dough or making meatballs is a game changer if you don't like getting your hands too dirty. Or if you have long nails!
Crisp Up Your Veggies
If your veggies have lost their crispness, but are otherwise fine, there's no need to throw them out! Just soak them in ice water for a few minutes, and they'll crisp right back up. This method works wonders for vegetables like celery, carrots, broccoli, and lettuce.
Squirter Bottles
Don't throw away those empty squirter bottles; they can be incredibly useful in the kitchen. Fill them with your favorite cooking oil or homemade salad dressings for precise, mess-free application. This hack is incredible to ensure an even distribution of ingredients, whether you're greasing a pan or drizzling dressing on your greens. And if you don't regularly buy food that comes in these types of bottles, you can get a set for cheap online!
Pro tip: you can also use them to add sauces or sour cream on top of foods, for a much more sophisticated look.
Mise en Place
Before you dive into cooking, take a moment to gather all your ingredients and necessary kitchen tools. This simple but often overlooked step is a must in professional restaurants and is called "mise en place", which literally means "put in place". Making this a habit in your home kitchen ensures you won't find yourself searching for that missing spice or utensil while your steak is overcooking. It creates an organized and efficient cooking environment, helping you enjoy the process even more - and become a better cook while you're at it!
While this is great to do anytime you're cooking, when cooking stir-fries it's vital. Here you want to add everything quickly and not overcook anything, which means if you don't prep - you're going to be quite stressed out!
Weigh Your Ingredients
Culinary perfection often depends on precise measurements, and this is especially true if you love baking! Investing in a kitchen scale is a game-changer and ensures you're using the right amount of ingredients. Whether you're working with flour, sugar, or spices, a scale eliminates guesswork and guarantees consistent and delicious results. This does not mean you should throw out taste testing - but for some dishes and ingredients, exact measurements really are that important.
Clean As You Go
One foodie has a zero mess policy in his kitchen: "I always start with a clean kitchen and an empty dishwasher so everything goes smoothly and dirty dishes go straight into the dishwasher. My goal is always no clean up after the meal is finished."
And he's on to something - keeping your kitchen tidy as you cook is a brilliant time-saving hack that also reduces post-meal cleanup stress. Whenever you finish using a utensil or ingredient, take a moment to wash or rinse it, or pop it in the dishwasher. This way you'll avoid a cluttered workspace and won't be left with a mountain of dishes to tackle once your meal is ready.
Embracing the "clean as you go" philosophy makes cooking so much more enjoyable! Trust me, I used to leave a mountain of mess behind - but now I follow the "clean as you go" method and I am loving it.
Zero Waste
Minimizing food waste is not only environmentally responsible but also budget-friendly. Get creative by using every part of your ingredients! A great trick is to store vegetable scraps, chicken carcasses and seafood shells in plastic bags in the freezer until you have enough of them to turn them into a flavorful homemade broth. And then move on to the next kitchen hack to store that broth in the best possible way!
Stock Ice Cubes
Freeze your homemade broths in ice cube trays to create convenient portions for future recipes. This kitchen hack not only prevents food waste but also saves you time and money, and ensures you can easily add a touch of extra flavor to any dish that needs it.
Stop The Moving
Keep your cutting board from sliding around by placing a damp paper towel or kitchen towel underneath it. This straightforward hack ensures stability while you're chopping and slicing, making kitchen prep safer, more efficient, and more fun. And this trick also works for mixing bowls!
Store It Right
When it comes to keeping your fruits and vegetables fresh, proper storage is key. Certain produce items release ethylene gas, which can speed up ripening and affect nearby fruits and veggies. To prevent this, store ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas separately from ethylene-sensitive ones, such as leafy greens and berries. Further, use perforated bags or containers to maintain optimal humidity levels, ensuring that your produce stays crisp and vibrant for longer periods. This storage hack not only minimizes food waste but also allows you to enjoy the flavors of your fruits and veggies at their best!
Source: Reddit.
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