With a sea of kitchen hacks and cooking tricks flooding the internet, it’s easy to get lost in all of it. What’s meant to simplify cooking often adds to the overload. Endless utensils, complicated recipes, and contradictory advice can turn a simple meal into a culinary nightmare.
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But amidst all that chaos, we’ve put together some essential cooking and kitchen tricks that will transform your cooking. If you’re ready for it, let’s begin already!
1. Find What You Need Fast in Your Pantry
A well-organized pantry can save you a lot of time. Instead of always wondering where you’ve kept different items, arrange items by category and use clear containers to see everything at a glance.
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You can go as far as labeling each container so you know what’s what. This saves time hunting for ingredients and helps you keep track of what needs restocking.
2. Keep a Magnetic Grocery List
Ever had to find out that an important item is finished just when you’re about to fix a meal? We all know how frustrating that can be. To solve this problem, simple place a magnetic notepad on your fridge.
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As you run out of items, jot them down immediately. This way, you won’t forget anything when you head to the store. This is a simple trick that ensures you always have what you need for your next meal.
3. Pre-Cut Ingredients to Save Time on Busy Days
When you spend a little time on the weekends pre-cutting vegetables and fruits, you’ll save yourself some time on busy days. Store your pre-cut veggies in airtight containers in the fridge.
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When you’re ready to cook during the week, everything is ready to go, making meal prep so easy and cutting down on cleanup time.
4. Clean as You Go
One of the best habits to develop as a chef is cleaning as you cook. Always wash utensils and cutting boards right after use, and wipe down surfaces regularly.
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This keeps your kitchen organized and makes post-meal cleanup much less daunting. Try this for a day and you’ll experience how great it is.
Cooking Tips
Now that you’ve got your kitchen in order with these handy hacks, let’s move on to some cooking tips that will take your meals from one to hundred and also make the process more enjoyable.
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From perfecting your knife skills to ensuring your dishes are always delicious, these tips are sure to lend a helping hand. Are you ready?
5. Master Basic Knife Skills
Good knife skills are essential for efficient cooking. Practice proper technique for slicing, dicing, and chopping. A sharp knife is safer and more effective, so keep your knives honed always.
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With time, you’ll speed up prep work and improve your dish presentation, all as a result of having sharp knives and mastering basic skills with them.
6. Soak Fish in Milk to Get Rid of the Fishy Smell
If you’re cooking saltwater fish and want to eliminate the fishy taste, soak it in milk for about 20 minutes before cooking.
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The proteins in the milk bind with the compounds causing the odor, leaving your fish with a cleaner, fresher flavor.
7. Use a Meat Thermometer
A meat thermometer is a must-have if you always want to have perfectly cooked proteins. It takes the guesswork out of determining doneness.
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All you have to do is insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and cook until it reaches the recommended temperature. With that, you’ll no longer have to deal with dry chicken or undercooked steak.
8. Taste as You Go
Taste your food as you cook. This allows you to adjust seasoning and flavors on the fly, ensuring your dish turns out perfectly.
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Don’t wait until the end to find out if the meal is too salty or bland, as many of us commonly do. Tasting throughout the process makes all the difference.
9. Let Meat Rest
After cooking meat, let it rest before cutting to keep it juicy. This allows the juices to redistribute, making each bite tender.
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For large cuts, rest 10-20 minutes; for smaller cuts, 5 minutes is enough. Cover with foil to retain warmth. Cutting too soon allows the juices to escape, leaving the meat dry.
10. Use Fresh Herbs in Your Dishes
Fresh herbs elevate dishes with vibrant flavors and colors. Add them towards the end of cooking to preserve their essence. For example, sprinkle fresh basil on pasta, stir cilantro into curry, or top soup with parsley.
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Each herb offers unique pairings: basil with tomatoes, cilantro in tacos, and rosemary with roasted meats.
