- My Kitchen Style
80 Best Kitchen Hacks
Who doesn't enjoy cooking but the truth is nobody enjoys spending the entire day in the kitchen, we want the cooking experience to be enjoyable and for that to happen we need a nice space that looks good, is tidy and organized but also practical.
In this post we are sharing 80 hacks to make your everyday kitchen experience as practical and fun as possible.
1) Avoid boiling spills
Boiling water overflowing your pot can make a big mess. But there is a way to prevent this from happening. Simply place a wooden spoon on top of the pot.
2) Preserve your herbs
If you have herbs and you are afraid that they will spoil before you finish using them, freeze them in an ice tray with water or oil and they are ready when you want to add them to a stew or soup, the best thing is that you can make different combinations of herbs to create different dishes.
3) Peeling fruit in the microwave
Some fruits can be peeled with the help of the microwave, you just have to put them inside the microwave for 20 seconds so that the skin slips, always be aware of the power of our microwave to prevent the fruit from exploding.
4) Parchment paper cupcakes
You want to make cupcakes but you don't have any molds on hand, use the parchment paper and shape it by folding it into a shape similar to the mold.
5) Keep plastic wrap cool
Plastic wrap is annoying when it does not stretch properly or sticks to itself, the best way to avoid this problem is to keep it in the refrigerator.
6) Cut cherries
Place the cherry on the spout of a bottle and with the help of a chopstick push the center, the seed will fall into the bottle.
7) Cleaning the cutting boards
Cleaning the cutting board is key to avoiding the accumulation of bacteria, one way to do this is by rubbing the board with half a lemon and coarse salt before washing it. More information on the best cutting boards.
8) Preventing microwave dry food
Place a small microwaveable container next to the food, the food will heat up but will keep its moisture, ideal for french fries.
9) Salt for a cast iron frying pan
These expensive pans can rust if not properly cared for. Rub the pans with salt instead of soap when you wash them.
10) Get the seeds out of your vegetables
Use an ice cream scoop to remove the seeds, this trick is great for papaya, pumpkin or eggplant.
11) Make stainless steel shine
Stainless steel becomes opaque and permanent if you are not using the right cleaning products. Mix vinegar and water, spray the solution on your surfaces and clean them.
12) Keep brown sugar smooth
Brown sugar is delicious but the humidity spoils it quickly and once it hardens it is useless. Place an orange peel or an apple slice inside the bag and put it in an airtight container to avoid this.
13) The perfect boiled egg
Crack the egg in the frying pan and put some water so that your eggs cook perfectly, they will be soft and without burns.
14) Easy peeled eggs
Pealing eggs is a nightmare but there is an easy way, smash the egg on the top and bottom and then roll it the shell will peel off in seconds.
15) Improvised parchment brush
Fold parchment paper into several sheets and cut with the scissors so that you get a brush that can be used in the moment.
16) Homemade granulated sugar
Simply grind the sugar into a spice grinder.
17) Keep vegetables from burning
If you notice that your food is burning too fast, add an ice cube to cool the pan. The water will evaporate quickly and your food will not be burned.
18) Moulded meat cake
To make a quick meatloaf in individual portions put them in muffin tins and bake them for the time indicated in the recipe.
19) Tea to flavor steamed rice
Want to try something different? put a tea bag into your rice before is cooked, it will give the rice a nice scent and you can try it with different teas, green tea is our favorite.
20) Save leftover wine
You have a little bit of wine, do not throw it away, pour it on a ice cube tray and freeze it, you have perfect cubes to use in stews or any other dish.
21) Cut a serving hole
Not all boxes come with a serving hole, do not make a mess and use a sharp knife to cut a corner, this way you will have a DIY serving hole.
22) Easy way to cut small pumpkins
Place the pumpkin in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes and after it cools peel it, just make sure to keep an eyes on the pumpkin as all microwaves have different heat settings.
23) Make tomatoes last longer
Store them at room temperature and if they do not have their stem, place them upside down, this way the hole where the stem was will not get oxidized as quickly.
24) Make bananas ripe faster
Place the banana on a paper bag and shake it, this will release ethanol which ripens the fruit quicker.
25) Make mushrooms last longer
Have you seen that mushrooms are sold in plastic trays? do not store them like that, the moisture of the mushroom will damage them, instead place them on a paper bag which will absorb the moist and keep them fresh for longer.
26) Squeeze the most lemon juice
Keep your lemons in the fridge, when you are ready to use them, heat them in the microwave for 10-20 seconds, roll them before cutting and use a fork as you squeeze.
27) Strip a corn
Place the corn on the hole of a bundt pan and cut the corn from the top to bottom, this way all the kernels will fall into the pan, just be careful as the corn might not be as stable. Otr use on these useful corn strippers.
28) Grate cheese easily
Mozzarella cheese is delicious but difficult to grate as it is so greasy and soft, a good hack is to freeze it for 30 minutes before grating it.
29) Peel ginger
Use a soup spoon to scrape the skin off, much faster and safer than using a knife.
30) Grate ginger
Just like mozarella cheese freeze the ginger and whenever you need a little bit you can easily grate it and store it on the freezer, this will extend your ginger life a lot, just remember to freeze the ginger peeled.
31) Cut onion without crying
A good way is to freeze the onion before cutting, this is a great idea if you are gonna use the onion on cooked dishes but if you want fresh onion, bite a piece of bread this will stop onion sulfur gas from reaching your eyes.
32) Homemade buttermilk
An easy way is to squeeze some lemon juice o pour a bit of white vinegar on milk, it won't have the same texture as actual buttermilk but it will work.
33) Opening a stucked jar
Use a kitchen towel to have a better grip. Or use one of these handy kitchen gadgets.
34) Cut through tomato cherries
Place them between the bottom side of two flat dishes, this will keep the tomatoes in place and give you a slit big enough to run your knife and slice them in half.
35) Non-Stick Measuring Spoon
Spray some cooking on your measuring spoon or any type of measuring utensil you will use, nothing will stick to it, works great if you are measuring sticky ingredients like honey.
36) Decrystallizing a little bit of honey
Honey cristalizes over time but that does not mean its gone bad, as a matter of fact honey does not expire, just put the jar on a small pot with hot water, your honey will regain is original consistency.
37) Jar milk froth
Pour some milk on a microwave safe jar, shake it well and heat it for 30 seconds, you will have some quick froth for your morning coffee.
38) Coffee without a coffee machine
Boil the same amount of coffee and water you would use on a coffee machine, after that let the grains settle at the bottom and pour on a cup slowly.
39) Golden egg
Shake an egg vigorosuly before boiling and you will be surprised by a golden egg when you peel it.
40) Ice cream sandwich
Use a hot knife to cut through a carton ice cream container, remove the carton and place the slice between two big cookies and enjoy.
41) Store cheese
Cut the chesse with its wrap, use as needed and store it once again, the wrap will keep it from drying.
42) Improvised rolling pin
Use a clean empty wine bottle as a rolling pin.
43) Best way to reheat pizza
Want to bring a pizza flavor and smell back, do not microwave as it will lose its texture instead heat on a pan.
44) Clean the Nutella jar
Pour some warm milk and shake it around, perfect morning drink out from the jar.
45) Clean tomato jar
Same method as with Nutella but instead of milk pour water and swirl it around, use the liquid on your stew or soup.
46) Celery wrapping
To make it last for much longer wrap it in aluminum foil.
47) Apples and potatoes
Store them close to each others, apples release ethylene wich stops potatoes from sprouting.
48) Homemade whipped cream
Add a pinch of salt to milk and beat vigorously, you will have whipped cream in some minutes.
49) Onion and avocado
To stop avocado from browning store together with a piece of onion.
50) Fresh pineapples
To keep them fresh for longer store them upside down, this way the juices will not settle at bottom. Works for other large fruits like papayas.
51) Cabbage
To peel cabbage leaves quickly smash the vegetable against a cutting table.
52) Stop fresh cutted fruit from oxidizing
Squeeze some lemon juice over the fruits like apples or avocados this will stop them from browning as fast.
53) Remove egg shells
Using your fingers to remove egg shells is difficult instead use the egg shell you just cracked to remove them as it works like a magnet, make sure the shell is clean before trying.
54) Remove excess oil from stews
Have you seen that layer of grease on top of stews or soups? a simple way to remove it, is to use an ice cube tray and with the help of a spoon move it around and when it solidifies remove it.
55) Peel potatoes easily
An easy way to peel potatoes is to let me cool off on an ice cold water bowl, this will separates the potato from its skin, just rub your fingers and the peel will slide off.
56) Remove fruit seed
Cut the fruit in the middle, then twist the fruit this will dislodge the seed making it easier to take out.
57) Ice coffee
Don't heat up your leftover coffee a second time. What we recommend is to make ice that you can use in cold drinks.
58) Smart freeze
Always freeze in small portions. This way you will only thaw what you are going to eat and prevent bacteria from entering your food.
59) Accidental cuts
If you cut yourself, rinse with cold water and then cover the wound with the thin layer that protects the onions. It will stop bleeding right away.
60) No food waste
If you've bought too much, make sure you store your food the right way, make the most out of your freezer. More information in this useful article on how to store fruits and vegetables.
61) Homemade broth
Try not to waste food; meat bones and vegetable leftovers can be perfect for making broths and turning them into soup.
62) Homemade compost
Go one step further and use the vegetables and bones from the stock, to make some compost and keep your plants healthy.
63) Smelly tupperware
Fill them with newspaper balls and cover them up. Wait a couple of days and the stink will be gone.
64) Store tupperware
Store them without a lid, so you can make sure they don't concentrate bad odors and always wash them with hot water.
65) Remove grease from pans
If you cooked with oil or some fat, pour some water into the pan and heat it on the stove. This way, it will be much easier to wash it. More information on kitchen grease.
66) Sharp knives
Keep your knives sharp to reduce accidents as you prep food, more information on the best sharpeners in the market in this blog post.
67) Odor free utensils
The best way to wash chopping boards and ladles or spatulas is with hot water, chlorine and dishwashing soap. Dry them in the sun so they don't absorb the color of your food.
68) You want perfect slices of goat cheese?
Instead of a knife, use a string and it won't fall apart.
69) No chili burn
If you are going to handle chilli peppers we recommend that you rub oil on your hands and wash with soap and water after finishing. That way they won't burn later.
70) Best avocados
In case you only find them green, wrap them in newspaper and keep them for a couple of days in a dark place.
71) Grated butter
If you want to spread butter on your morning roll but it's too hard, Grate it and it will have the same effect.
72) Fresh eggs
A good hack to know the freshness of your eggs is to put them in a bowl of water, if they sink they are fresh and if they float they are not.
73) Salt
Try to consume sea salt or kosher salt as they are much healthier than regular salt.
74) Spaghetti ladle
Use the whole it comes with to calculcate one serving.
75) Frozen onion
If you buy in bulk, chopp it by hand or even faster with a chopper and freeze them in small batches, this way you have ready onion to make any dish you want.
76) Frozen green onion
Same idea, freeze it chopped and it will be ready to use on a pico de gallo or miso soup.
77) Parmesan stock
If you have the peel of a parmesan or any other type of cheese peel, store it in the freezer and boil it when you are making a stock, it will intensify the flavor just make sure the cheese and the peel is 100% organic.
78) Perfect popcorn
We love popcorn but it needs to be fresh to pop fast otherwise it will burn, if yours have been in the pantry for too long, soak them in some water for 10 minutes, dry them well and they will be ready to pop.
79) Fruit at hand
Leave your fruit always in sight and ready to eat. If you have a bowl of cherries in the fridge, a few slices of watermelon or melon or bananas in the fruit bowl on the counter, you'll want to eat a lot more.
80) Hair dryer to the rescue
If you have just washed the strainer and need to use it to sift dry ingredients, use the hair dryer. Hot air is much more effective than dishcloths, which will not remove the moisture completely (which would make the flour, cocoa or icing sugar stick).
This was a long list nbut we hope these hacks help you save time in the kitchen and make your cooking experience pleasant.
Happy Cooking!