Cooking can be a delightful experience, but it often comes with its share of challenges and time-consuming tasks. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, incorporating a few clever hacks can transform your cooking routine, making it more efficient and enjoyable. Here are some of the most useful cooking hacks that will simplify your culinary journey:
Peel Garlic the Easy Way
Peeling garlic doesn’t have to be tedious. Simply press the clove under the flat side of a knife to loosen the skin. For larger batches, place the cloves in a jar or between two bowls and shake vigorously — the skins will separate with minimal effort.
Peel Ginger with a Spoon
Instead of hacking away at ginger with a knife (and wasting half of it), use the edge of a spoon to scrape the thin skin off. It’s precise, safe, and lets you keep all the good stuff for your tea, stir-fry, or marinade.
Freeze Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil
Don’t toss those leftover herbs! Finely chop parsley, thyme, rosemary, or basil and place them in an ice cube tray. Cover with olive oil and freeze. These cubes are ready to pop into soups, stews, pastas, or even onto roasted veggies.
Keep Cookies Soft with Bread
Just pop a slice of fresh white bread into your cookie jar or container. The cookies absorb the moisture from the bread and stay delightfully soft, while the bread hardens. Swap the bread every few days to keep things fresh.
Reheat Pizza Without a Soggy Mess
Avoid soggy microwave pizza by placing a cup of water in the microwave next to the pizza slice. Alternatively, reheat the slice in a skillet over medium heat for a crispy crust and evenly warmed toppings.
Salt Cucumbers Before Using
Salt draws out excess water from cucumbers, which is perfect for making non-soggy salads or sandwiches. After slicing, sprinkle with salt and let sit in a colander for 15–20 minutes. Pat dry before using for better texture and flavor.
Grate Frozen Butter for Baking
Freeze your stick of butter, then grate it with a box grater directly into your flour. This gives you perfect distribution for scones, biscuits, and pie crusts. It also speeds up the mixing process and reduces over-handling.
DIY Buttermilk Substitute
If a recipe calls for buttermilk and you’re out, mix 1 cup of milk (preferably whole) with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it curdles slightly. It’s perfect for pancakes, muffins, and tender baked goods.
Keep Brown Sugar Soft
To keep brown sugar soft and scoopable, store it with a slice of bread, an apple wedge, or even a marshmallow. These items retain moisture, preventing the sugar from clumping or turning hard.
Revive Wilted Greens in Ice Water
Lettuce, herbs, and other leafy greens that have begun to wilt can often be restored by soaking them in ice water for 10–15 minutes. This rehydrates the leaves and restores their crispness.
[Contributed By Anushka Gaikwad]