You can learn to cook through numerous means, including reading cookbooks, watching cooking shows, and many more. Yet, the majority of our cooking experience most likely comes from family.
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So, as a tribute to our childhood memories, we’ll be sharing a variety of some families’ favorite kitchen tips and food hacks below. Let’s begin!
When Making Mashed Potatoes
Before adding your milk or cream to the mashed potatoes, preheat them just enough to warm them up. If not, the potato mash will get sticky.
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This hack will help you create flavorful, fluffy, and creamy mashed potatoes, suitable for any meal or occasion.
When Heating Leftover Pizza…
While it may seem weird, running water on your pizza slice before baking it in a toaster oven enhances its flavor. You can apply the same technique to revive a leftover loaf of bread.
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Make sure to set the temperature of your toaster oven to medium. Place the leftover pizza slices on a baking sheet or the rack of a toaster oven and cook for five to seven minutes. Be sure to keep watch to avoid burning.
Make a Frying Pan Non-Stick
An ordinary frying pan can be transformed into a nonstick skillet with a small amount of oil, a layer of parchment paper, and the remaining fat. Just fry as normal and watch your delicate fish or any other item you fry slide right out with ease.
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Also, lining your frying pan with parchment paper can reduce its stickiness, making cooking and cleaning an easy task.
Bake Like A Pro
When baking, always use salted butter, even if the recipe calls for unsalted. Salted butter gives the dish more depth and helps to balance all of the sweet flavors.
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Adding it to your baking will enhance its flavor, texture, and preserve its freshness as well.
When Seasoning Your Dishes
For flavoring, it’s recommended to use Knorr Chicken Bouillon on just about everything you cook. This is particularly important when grilling chicken, roasting beef, or pork.
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A mixture of kosher salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chicken bouillon is our holy grail of dry rubs.
When Making Juicy Pork Chops
When you cook large chunks of pork, use enough water to immerse the chops in their thickness. Heat the water to a boil, add the chop, and simmer for 12 minutes. Then transfer the chops to a frying pan and cook for 3 minutes on each side over medium-high heat.
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This technique leaves the inside of the pork moist and the exterior crusty. Remember to add a generous splash of balsamic vinegar, salt, MSG, cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder to the water for enhanced flavoring.
When Making Beef Stew
When you need to prepare beef stew, use the same pan for browning the meat to cook your veggies after melting them with a few ounces of Guinness Stout.
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Cooking with beer can improve the flavor, texture, and aroma of your food while giving it a delightful and distinctive touch. Whether you’re baking bread, grilling your meat, or making sauces, you can spice things up with beer.
When In Need Of Prepped Veggies
In your freezer, make sure to keep a number of tiny freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags filled with ingredients like diced ham, onions, carrots, and bell peppers. They work well as add-ons to pizzas, preparing omelets for a quick weekend breakfast, or preparing any recipe that calls for “one small onion, dices.”
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This hack will always come in handy any day, and it will also help you spend less time cooking in the kitchen.
When in Need Of Whipped Cream…
When you want to make whipped cream, add a few tablespoons of instant vanilla pudding powder to a bowl of heavy cream. It helps the whipped cream keep its shape when you put leftovers in the fridge.
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The combination of heavy cream and vanilla pudding creates a rich and adaptable base for different kinds of desserts. This smooth mixture gives you a sweet taste, form, and texture perfect for a beautifully layered cake.
When You Run Out Of Condiments
To combine the remaining mustard into the dressing, scrape it off the jar’s sides. Add two tablespoons of vinegar, and for extra flavor, add minced garlic to the jar.
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Then pour in one-quarter cup of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then close the lid and shake vigorously. Once you’re satisfied with the taste, store it in the fridge. Remember to shake properly before use; this process will help you cut down on waste.
When Making Egg Salad…
Separating the egg yolks from the egg whites is important for making a delicious bowl of egg salad. Using a fork, you can crush the yolks and then add the seasonings, mayo, and mustard, mixing everything thoroughly. Chop the whites, and then carefully fold them into the mixture of yolks.
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You can spread the egg salad between your sandwiches; feel free to toast your bread for extra flavor. This will take you to heaven and back. Enjoy!
