Are you looking to become a better home cook? Are your friends always bringing you along because they know you have no idea what you are doing in the kitchen? Well, that’s about to change! We’ve compiled a list of simple tricks and hacks to make cooking more enjoyable. Even professionals use these tricks and hacks on a daily basis. So try not to be intimidated and read on for great advice.
Whether you’re an aspiring chef or just beginner home cook, these kitchen tips will help you simplify food prep and save time. From chopping an onion without crying to cleaning your cutting board with just one sponge, there are plenty of little shortcuts that will come in handy when cooking at home.
Kitchen tips can make your cooking easier
Before you even start cooking, get organized. If you have all your ingredients out, you can save time by making fewer trips to the kitchen. If you have spices and other dry ingredients in jars, make sure you label them so you don’t confuse them. Use a digital timer if you are baking something or cooking meat. It’s easy to set a timer and then get distracted and forget about what you’re cooking. And since timers often beep when they’re up, you can just check once in a while to make sure things are going the way they should be. Keep your knives sharp.
Dull knives are dangerous and difficult to use because they don’t slice through foods as easily. You can sharpen them yourself at home or take them to a professional for a quick tune-up. Onions are a key ingredient in many dishes, but they can be tricky to slice. First, cut off the root tip and peel away any dirt. Then, slice the onion from root to stem. Put the flat side of the blade against the onion and cut down. Rotate the onion 90 degrees and repeat.
Use a Glass Bowl to Store Your Food
A glass bowl is a better option than storing your food in plastic containers. Storing food in plastic containers is a bad idea because the plastic can leach into your food, which is bad for you. With a glass bowl, you don’t have to worry about that. They’re microwave safe too, making them easy to use for heating leftovers. A bonus: they look sleek on your countertop. Just keep in mind that you should never put a bowl with a crack in the freezer or put it in the microwave. If you put a cracked bowl in the freezer, it can break and thaw as it defrosts, which can be dangerous. A cracked bowl in the microwave can crack further and potentially shatter.
Use Baking Soda to Clean Just About Everything
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a cheap and effective cleaning agent. You can use it to clean your refrigerator, mop your floors, remove odors, and more. It’s especially useful in cleaning your kitchen, so keep a box of it nearby. Baking soda works well on stubborn stains, like coffee and wine. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight. Then, simply vacuum it up or wipe the area with a damp cloth. Baking soda is also a great way to clean your cutting board. Simply sprinkle it with baking soda, scrub it with an old toothbrush, and rinse. Or, you can put the following solution in a spray bottle and spritz your cutting board.
Don’t Waste Good Food – Learn to Preserve It!
If you happen to get a great deal on fresh produce, don’t throw it all away. There are several ways to preserve produce so you can enjoy it year-round. To freeze vegetables and fruits, place them on a baking sheet and freeze them until they’re solid. Then, you can transfer them to a plastic bag or container and put them in the freezer. To can vegetables, vegetables, start by washing them thoroughly. Then you can either put them in a pressure cooker or a water bath canner.