Are you looking for some easy and practical tips to make cooking more enjoyable and efficient?
Do you want to learn how to save time, money, and resources in the kitchen?
Do you want to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills and creativity?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this article is for you.
In this article, you will discover 20 must-know kitchen hacks that will help you become a better cook in no time.
| Photo: D-Keine |
They cover topics such as:
- How to cut, peel, and store fruits and vegetables
- How to cook faster, easier, and healthier
- How to use common kitchen tools and appliances in smart ways
- How to prevent food waste and spoilage
- How to add flavor and variety to your dishes
By the end of this article, you will have learned some useful tricks that will make your life in the kitchen much easier and more fun.
You will also be able to apply these hacks to any recipe or cuisine you want to try.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Cut an onion without crying
One of the most common challenges that beginner cooks face is cutting an onion without crying.
The reason why onions make us cry is because they release a chemical compound called syn-propanethial-S-oxide when we cut them.
This compound irritates our eyes and makes them produce tears.
To avoid this unpleasant situation, there are a few things you can do:
- Chill the onion before cutting it. This will reduce the amount of syn-propanethial-S-oxide that is released when you cut it.
- Cut the onion under running water or near a fan. This will help disperse the syn-propanethial-S-oxide away from your eyes.
- Use a sharp knife. This will minimize the damage to the onion cells and reduce the release of syn-propanethial-S-oxide.
- Wear goggles or glasses. This will protect your eyes from the syn-propanethial-S-oxide.
Peel garlic in seconds
Garlic is a delicious and healthy ingredient that adds flavor and aroma to many dishes. However, peeling garlic can be a tedious and time-consuming task.
Fortunately, there are some easy ways to peel garlic in seconds:
- Shake it in a jar or a bowl. Place the garlic cloves in a jar or a bowl with a lid. Shake it vigorously for about 10 seconds. The garlic skins will come off easily.
- Crush it with a knife or a spoon. Place the garlic clove on a cutting board. Use the flat side of a knife or a spoon to press down on it firmly. The garlic skin will crack and peel off easily.
- Microwave it for a few seconds. Place the garlic clove on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave it for about 10 seconds. The garlic skin will loosen and peel off easily.
Store herbs in ice cube trays
Herbs are great for adding freshness and flavor to your dishes. However, they can wilt and spoil quickly if you don’t use them right away.
To prevent this from happening, you can store herbs in ice cube trays:
- Wash and chop the herbs. Rinse the herbs under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Chop them finely with a knife or a food processor.
- Fill the ice cube trays with the herbs. Spoon the chopped herbs into the ice cube trays. You can use one herb per tray or mix different herbs together.
- Add water or oil to the trays. Pour water or oil over the herbs until they are covered. Water is good for soups, stews, and sauces. Oil is good for sautéing, frying, and roasting.
- Freeze the trays until solid. Place the trays in the freezer until the herb cubes are frozen.
- Transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. Pop the herb cubes out of the trays and store them in a freezer bag. Label the bag with the name and date of the herbs. Use them within 6 months.
Cook pasta in a microwave
Pasta is a staple food that is easy and versatile to cook. However, boiling Pasta on the stove can take a lot of time and water.
To save both, you can cook pasta in a microwave:
- Measure and rinse the pasta. Measure the amount of pasta you want to cook and rinse it under cold water. This will remove some of the starch and prevent the pasta from sticking together.
- Place the pasta in a microwave-safe bowl. Choose a large bowl that can hold enough water to cover the pasta. Add a pinch of salt and a drizzle of oil to the pasta.
- Add water to the bowl. Pour enough water to cover the pasta by about an inch. The water level will drop as the pasta absorbs it, so make sure there is enough water to prevent the pasta from drying out.
- Microwave the pasta until al dente. Microwave the pasta on high power for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the type and amount of pasta, so check the package instructions for guidance. The pasta is done when it is tender but still firm to the bite.
- Drain and serve the pasta. Carefully drain the excess water from the pasta using a colander or a lid. Serve the pasta with your favorite sauce or toppings.
Make scrambled eggs in a mug
Scrambled eggs are a quick and easy breakfast that can be customized with different ingredients.
However, frying scrambled eggs on a pan can be messy and require extra dishes to wash.
To avoid this, you can make scrambled eggs in a mug:
- Crack and whisk the eggs. Crack two eggs into a large microwave-safe mug. Add a splash of milk, salt, pepper, and cheese if you like. Whisk well with a fork until well combined.
- Microwave the eggs until cooked. Microwave the mug on high power for about 90 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds. The eggs will puff up and set as they cook.
- Enjoy your scrambled eggs. Carefully remove the mug from the microwave and enjoy your scrambled eggs with some bread or toast.
Peel hard-boiled eggs with a spoon
Hard-boiled eggs are a nutritious and filling snack that can be eaten on their own or added to salads, sandwiches, and other dishes.
However, peeling hard-boiled eggs can be tricky and frustrating if the shells stick to the whites.
To make it easier, you can peel hard-boiled eggs with a spoon:
- Tap and roll the egg. Tap the bottom of the egg on a hard surface to crack it slightly. Roll the egg gently on the surface to create more cracks all over.
- Slide a spoon under the shell. Insert a teaspoon under the shell at the bottom of the egg where there is usually an air pocket. Slide the spoon along the curve of the egg, lifting up the shell as you go.
- Peel off the shell with your fingers. Use your fingers to peel off any remaining bits of shell from the egg.
Cut cherry tomatoes or grapes in half with two plates
Cherry tomatoes or grapes are delicious and healthy fruits that can be eaten raw or cooked in various dishes.
However, cutting cherry tomatoes or grapes in half can be tedious and time-consuming if you do it one by one.
To speed up the process, you can cut cherry tomatoes or grapes in half with two plates:
- Arrange the cherry tomatoes or grapes on a plate. Place as many cherry tomatoes or grapes as you want on a large plate in a single layer.
- Place another plate on top of them. Place another plate of similar size on top of them, upside down.
- Slice through them with a knife. Hold both plates firmly together with one hand while you slice through them horizontally with a sharp knife.
Cook bacon in an oven
Bacon is a tasty and crispy meat that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
However, frying bacon on a skillet can be splattery and greasy, and require constant attention and flipping.
To avoid this, you can cook bacon in an oven:
- Preheat your oven and line your baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or 400°F (350°F fan). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminium foil.
- Lay out your bacon strips on your baking sheet. Arrange your bacon strips on your baking sheet in a single layer without overlapping them.
- Bake your bacon until crisp. Bake your bacon for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how thick and how crispy you like your bacon.
- Drain your bacon on paper towels. Transfer your bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess fat. Enjoy your bacon while it is hot and crispy.
Ripen an avocado in minutes
Avocado is a creamy and nutritious fruit that can be used for making guacamole, salads, sandwiches, and more.
However, finding a perfectly ripe avocado can be challenging, as they are often either too hard or too soft.
To ripen an avocado in minutes, you can use a microwave:
- Poke holes in your avocado. Use a fork or a knife to poke several holes all over your avocado. This will allow the heat to penetrate the flesh and soften it.
- Microwave your avocado until soft. Place your avocado on a microwave-safe plate and microwave it on high power for about 30 seconds. Check the softness of your avocado by gently squeezing it. If it is still too hard, microwave it for another 15 seconds and repeat until it is soft enough.
- Let your avocado cool down. Carefully remove your avocado from the microwave and let it cool down slightly before cutting it open and enjoying it.
Cut a cake with dental floss
Cake is a delicious and festive dessert that can be enjoyed for any occasion.
However, cutting a cake with a knife can be messy and uneven, especially if the cake is moist or frosted.
To cut a cake with Dental Floss, you can follow these steps:
- Choose an unflavored dental floss. You don’t want to add any unwanted flavor or color to your cake, so make sure you use an unflavored dental floss that is clean and strong.
- Cut a long piece of dental floss. Cut a piece of dental floss that is longer than the diameter of your cake. You will need some extra length to hold the floss with your hands.
- Wrap the dental floss around your fingers. Wrap the ends of the dental floss around your index fingers and hold them tightly.
- Slide the dental floss through the cake. Position the dental floss over the cake where you want to make a cut. Gently slide the dental floss down through the cake, using a sawing motion. The dental floss will cut through the cake smoothly and cleanly.
- Repeat as needed. Move the dental floss to another spot on the cake and repeat the process until you have cut as many slices as you want.
Make whipped cream with a jar
Whipped cream is a light and fluffy topping that can enhance any dessert or drink.
However, making whipped cream with a mixer or a whisk can be noisy and tiring, and buying whipped cream from a store can be expensive and unhealthy.
To make whipped cream with a jar, you can do this:
- Chill your jar and cream. Place a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Also chill your heavy cream in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Pour your cream and sugar into your jar. Pour one cup of heavy cream and two tablespoons of sugar into your jar. You can also add some vanilla extract or other flavorings if you like.
- Shake your jar until thickened. Screw the lid on your jar securely and shake it vigorously for about 5 minutes or until the cream has thickened and formed soft peaks.
- Enjoy your whipped cream. Unscrew the lid of your jar and enjoy your homemade whipped cream with your favorite dessert or drink.
Peel ginger with a spoon
Ginger is a spicy and aromatic root that can add flavor and health benefits to many dishes and drinks.
However, peeling ginger with a knife or a peeler can be wasteful and dangerous, as ginger has an irregular shape and a thin skin.
To peel ginger with a spoon, you can try this:
- Wash and dry your ginger. Rinse your ginger under cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel.
- Scrape off the skin with a spoon. Use the edge of a spoon to scrape off the skin from your ginger. The spoon will follow the contours of your ginger and remove only the skin without wasting any flesh.
- Slice or grate your ginger as needed. Use a knife or a grater to slice or grate your peeled ginger as needed for your recipe.
Make popcorn in a brown paper bag
Popcorn is a popular and healthy snack that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere.
However, making popcorn on the stove can be tricky and require oil and butter, and buying popcorn from a store can be expensive and unhealthy.
To make popcorn in a brown paper bag, you can do this:
- Measure and pour your popcorn kernels into your bag. Measure half a cup of popcorn kernels and pour them into a large brown paper bag. You can also add some salt or other seasonings if you like.
- Fold your bag and microwave it until popped. Fold the top of your bag twice and place it in the microwave. Microwave it on high power for about 2 to 3 minutes or until the popping slows down to about 2 seconds between pops.
- Enjoy your popcorn. Carefully open your bag and enjoy your homemade popcorn. You can also add some melted butter or other toppings if you like.
Cut a mango with a glass
Mango is a sweet and juicy fruit that can be eaten raw or cooked in various dishes and drinks.
However, cutting a mango can be tricky and messy, as mango has a large and slippery pit in the center.
To cut a mango with a glass, you can follow these steps:
- Wash and dry your mango. Rinse your mango under cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel.
- Cut off the cheeks of your mango. Use a sharp knife to cut off the two sides of your mango that are slightly curved and have the most flesh. These are called the cheeks of your mango.
- Scoop out the flesh with a glass. Use the rim of a glass to scoop out the flesh from the skin of your mango cheeks. The glass will separate the flesh from the skin easily and neatly.
- Cut or dice your mango as needed. Use a knife to cut or dice your mango flesh as needed for your recipe.
Make coffee without a coffee maker
Coffee is a popular and energizing drink that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere.
However, making coffee without a coffee maker can be challenging and require special equipment and filters.
To make coffee without a coffee maker, you can use a saucepan:
- Boil some water in your saucepan. Fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
- Add your coffee grounds to your saucepan. Add two tablespoons of coffee grounds for every cup of water to your saucepan. Stir well to combine.
- Reduce the heat and simmer your coffee for a few minutes. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer your coffee for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Strain your coffee into your cup. Use a fine-mesh strainer, a cheesecloth, or a paper towel to strain your coffee into your cup. Discard the coffee grounds.
- Enjoy your coffee. Add some milk, sugar, or other flavorings if you like and enjoy your homemade coffee.
Cut corn off the cob with a bundt pan
Corn is a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked in various dishes and salads.
However, cutting corn off the cob can be difficult and messy, as corn kernels can fly everywhere and stick to everything.
To cut corn off the cob with a bundt pan, you can do this:
- Wash and husk your corn. Rinse your corn under cold water and remove the husks and silks from it.
- Place your corn on the center of your bundt pan. Place one end of your corn on the hole in the center of your bundt pan. The bundt pan will hold your corn in place and catch the kernels as they fall off.
- Slice off the kernels with a knife. Use a sharp knife to slice off the kernels from your corn, starting from the top and moving down to the bottom. Rotate your corn as you go until all the kernels are removed.
- Use or store your corn kernels as needed. Use a spoon or a spatula to transfer your corn kernels from your bundt pan to another container or dish. You can use them right away or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Make oatmeal in a rice cooker
Oatmeal is a healthy and filling breakfast that can be customized with different ingredients and toppings.
However, making oatmeal on the stove can be tricky and require constant stirring and monitoring, and making oatmeal in a microwave can be uneven and overflow easily.
To make oatmeal in a rice cooker, you can try this:
- Measure and rinse your oats. Measure one cup of oats and rinse them under cold water. This will remove some of the starch and prevent the oatmeal from sticking or burning.
- Place your oats and water in your rice cooker. Place your rinsed oats and two cups of water in your rice cooker. You can also add some salt, sugar, cinnamon, or other flavorings if you like.
- Cook your oats until done. Turn on your rice cooker and cook your oats until they are soft and creamy, about 20 to 30 minutes depending on your rice cooker model and settings. The rice cooker will automatically switch to keep warm mode when the oatmeal is done.
- Enjoy your oatmeal. Fluff your oatmeal with a spoon or a fork and enjoy it with your favorite toppings, such as fruits, nuts, seeds, honey, or milk.
Make lemonade with a blender
Lemonade is a refreshing and tangy drink that can quench your thirst and boost your vitamin C intake.
However, making lemonade with a juicer or a squeezer can be tedious and wasteful, as you have to squeeze each lemon individually and discard the peels.
To make lemonade with a blender, you can do this:
- Wash and chop your lemons. Wash four lemons under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut off the ends of each lemon and chop them into quarters.
- Place your lemons and sugar in your blender. Place your chopped lemons and half a cup of sugar in your blender. You can also add some mint leaves or other herbs if you like.
- Blend your lemons and sugar until smooth. Blend your lemons and sugar on high speed until they are smooth and frothy, about 2 minutes. The blender will extract the juice from the lemons and dissolve the sugar.
- Strain your lemonade into a pitcher. Use a fine-mesh strainer or a cheesecloth to strain your lemonade into a large pitcher. Discard the pulp and seeds.
- Add water and ice to your lemonade. Add four cups of water and some ice cubes to your pitcher and stir well to combine. Adjust the sweetness and tartness of your lemonade by adding more sugar or water if needed.
- Enjoy your lemonade. Serve your lemonade in glasses with some lemon slices or mint leaves for garnish.
Make pizza dough with yogurt
Pizza is a popular and delicious dish that can be topped with any ingredients you like.
However, making pizza dough with yeast can be time-consuming and require rising and kneading, and buying pizza dough from a store can be expensive and unhealthy.
To make pizza dough with yogurt, you can try this:
- Mix your yogurt and flour in a bowl. Mix one cup of plain Greek yogurt and one cup of self-rising flour in a large bowl until well combined. You can also add some salt, garlic powder, or other seasonings if you like.
- Form your dough into a ball. Use your hands to knead your dough for a few minutes until it is smooth and elastic. If it is too sticky, add some more flour. If it is too dry, add some more yogurt.
- Roll out your dough on a baking sheet. Sprinkle some flour on a baking sheet and roll out your dough into a thin circle or rectangle, depending on the shape of your baking sheet.
- Add your toppings and bake your pizza. Preheat your oven to 230°C (210°C fan) or 450°F (425°F fan). Spread some pizza sauce over your dough and add your favorite toppings, such as cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, etc. Bake your pizza for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden.
- Enjoy your pizza. Cut your pizza into slices and enjoy it while it is hot and cheesy.
Make brownies with black beans
Brownies are a rich and decadent dessert that can satisfy any chocolate craving.
However, making brownies with butter, eggs, and sugar can be high in calories and fat, and buying brownies from a store can be expensive and unhealthy.
To make brownies with black beans, you can do this:
- Rinse and drain your black beans. Rinse one can of black beans under cold water and drain them well.
- Place your black beans and other ingredients in your blender or food processor. Place your black beans, half a cup of cocoa powder, half a cup of maple syrup, one fourth cup of coconut oil, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, one teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of salt in your blender or food processor. You can also add some chocolate chips or nuts if you like.
- Blend your ingredients until smooth. Blend your ingredients on high speed until they are smooth and well combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Pour your batter into a baking pan. Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan with some oil or spray. Pour your batter into the pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake your brownies until set. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F (325°F fan). Bake your brownies for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Enjoy your brownies. Let your brownies cool slightly in the pan before cutting into squares and enjoying them with some whipped cream or ice cream if you like.
Conclusion
Cooking can be a fun and rewarding activity that can improve your health, creativity, and happiness.
However, cooking can also be challenging and frustrating if you don’t know some simple and clever tips and tricks that can make your life in the kitchen easier and more efficient.
In this article, you have learned 20 must-know kitchen hacks that can help you become a better cook in no time.
These hacks are based on research, experience, and expert advice from various sources .
They cover topics such as cutting, peeling, storing, cooking, using, and seasoning food.
By applying these hacks to your cooking routine, you will be able to save time, money, and resources in the kitchen.
You will also be able to prevent food waste and spoilage, and add flavor and variety to your dishes.
Most importantly, you will be able to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills and creativity.
Happy cooking!
