In this age of instant gratification, shortcuts are our best friends and life savers. All we really have to do is conduct a simple online search and we’re on our way to finding easy, innovative ways to simplify our lives, whether they’re for errands we don’t mind or ones that are a complete burden from step one.
These “life hacks,” to which they are commonly referred, offer understanding in the way we execute our duties. Oftentimes, we feel a bit silly for not knowing what specific products’ sole intentions are, but don’t let that happen anymore! It is time to accept and adapt to the new age and use these hacks to our fullest advantage. This mentality should be applied to all aspects of life, especially the kitchen, the messiest place of them all!
Check out these 4 cooking hacks that will leave you well-equipped to tackle life:
Do you ever shop the day-old breads where there are large hunks of delicious-looking breads, but you have no idea how to cut them? Let alone use them in a meal? Try this hack: slice small squares through half of the bread (not all the way through), then stuff in cheese and other toppings. Pop in the oven and you’ve got a fancy appetizer of flavorful pull-apart bread!
Next, separate eggs with a plastic bottle. (Water or soda will work great.) Simply squeeze the empty bottle and allow it to suck up the yolk while leaving the whites completely intact. Perfect solution without purchasing an expensive tool.
When it’s time for dessert, buy a round pint of ice cream and slice completely through it. Stack between cookies and remove the packaging for mess-free assembly. You can even use the bottom of the pint with smaller cookies for smaller versions of this delicious dessert.
2. On the Grill
Avoid burning delicate fish by placing a layer of lemon slices directly on the grill, then cook the fish on top of them. It infuses the zesty flavor (without losing that delicious grill taste), while still preventing overcooking.
You can also achieve a smoky flavor by putting the entire pan on the grill. Make sure you have a stainless steel model, or another heat-resistant model, before placing on high heat. And keep plenty of hot pads nearby.
You can also smoke veggies (or meat) by creating a foil pouch and throwing the entire thing on top of the grill. Just leave a few holes so that heat can escape, while leaving the flavor inside.
3. Mess-Free
Instead of traditional tacos, try the “walking” version by purchasing individual Fritos or Cheetos bags and putting toppings inside. Slice sideways for better access to all the goods.
When retrieving eggshells, wet your finger and place it above the shrapnel – it will stick to your finger for easy removal.
Keep pancake mix in a plastic bag (where you can also mix it) or an old ketchup container. Less mess and easy squeezing. Or stick to French toast and make it in a Crock Pot – quick and easy, and gets the entire house smelling delicious with half of the effort.
Did you know this thing is good for more than just waffles? Cook bacon (or other thin breakfast meat on it), hash browns to get them extra crispy, or even omelets – they won’t be the prettiest you’ve ever cooked, but they might be the most delicious.
If it’s big enough, you can also roast a chicken or make homemade breads. Use your panini press if it offers more size (and even grill marks).
It can roast peppers, too, though be sure to clean thoroughly so you don’t have any spicy breakfasts. Or stick your metal steamer directly on a burner (on low heat) to do the same, just without the grill marks.
Finally, in the spirit of using kitchen items aside from their intended use, your coffee grinder is perfect for blending up homemade spices. This way you can chop flavors right together and create a uniform, flavorful blend.
If you’re not a kitchen whiz, these cooking hacks will sure ease those intimidating feats! If you are a kitchen whiz, we hope your life just got a whole lot easier!
