Anyone who has been cooking for awhile, whether they are good at it or not has their own habits and tricks that make the process a little easier. Novice or chef, you’ll want to see this list of tried and true tips and shortcuts to save you time and energy while giving up nothing from a result standpoint. Let’s be honest, most people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen, are cooking for their loved ones. So obviously cutting corners isn’t a thing you’d want to do, as what you make is an expression of something deeper! This list will help you do this faster, with less hassle and, believe it or not, better.
1. Fried eggs. The timeless favorite of bachelors and students.
How could you make the simplest thing to make even simpler? Believe it. Instead of oil, add some water. It’ll make your yokes a little more juicy and tasty.
2. A tip for our more refined audience
Keep your brown sugar from hardening by storing it in a plastic container, with orange peels or apple slices.
3. Keep your stainless-steel shiny
To retain the shine of your stainless-steel sink, scrub it with a mixture of vinegar and water. It’s painfully simple, but works every time!
4. Extracting seeds from squash and other vegetables
Your ordinary ice cream scooper will do the trick when Halloween comes around.
5. Salting your cast iron skillet and frying pan
To keep your cast iron kitchenware from rusting, just rub in some salt, then rinse with warm water. Doing this about once a month will guarantee rust free cooking.
6. Microwave trick
Let’s face it, a large chunk of the food you microwave gets dried out and crusty. To avoid this, just place a glass of water in the microwave along with whatever you are heating, and you’re set to go! You’ll open that door to a fresher, juicier reheated product than you’ve had yet.
7. Salting your wooden cutting board
Another real headache that is frankly just gross sometimes, is that food residue left on your wooden cutting board. Especially if you’re talking sweet and savory simultaneously. We suggest the following solution: rub the surface with sea salt and put it aside for 10-15 minutes. Then rub in some lemon and wash it off with cold water.
8. Cherry pits
Please excuse the awful pun most of our dads used to use, but pitting cherries is the pits. But it doesn’t have to be. Place each cherry on top of an open soda bottle, and pit them using a chop stick with a downward motion.
9. Plastic wrap
We know-we know, you already have too much packed into your fridge, but this might just be worth the shelf space. Plastic wrap stored in the fridge wont tear during use. Its true, just give it a try.
10. Parchment paper to save your muffins
If you don’t have a special no-stick muffin pan (and who really does), then don’t settle for the bottoms coming off every time and ruining a perfectly good treat. It’s not ok. Just line each slot with parchment paper and you’re good to go.
11. Peeling fruit
Toss your citruses into the microwave for around 20 seconds for the peeling to come right off with no hassle.
12. Storing fresh herbs and seasonings
Freeze your fresh herbs and seasonings in water or olive oil using an ice tray. Who says fresh is seasonal? Enjoy it all winter long!
13. Boiling water
Place a wooden spoon on top of your pot when boiling water so none spills over onto the burners.