If you’re looking for ways to make prepping your meals easier, you’re in the right place! We’ve curated 11 hacks that will streamline your kitchen activities and make it so much easier.
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So, whether you want to keep your veggies and fruits fresh, slow down, or hasten fruit ripening, we’ve got you covered with all the tricks and tips you need. With these methods, you’ll whip up delicious dishes in no time and make meal prep a breeze. Let’s get started!
Freeze Your Herbs to Keep Them for Longer
One of the easiest ways to preserve the flavor and aroma of your herbs is by freezing them. Doing this ensures you have fresh-tasting herbs at your fingertips, even out of season. Start by chopping your fresh herbs finely. Then, place them into an ice cube tray. You can use water or oil as the liquid to freeze them in.
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Water is great for adding herbs directly to soups or stews, while oil works well for sautéing or roasting. Once you’ve filled the tray, place it in the freezer. When the cubes are solid, transfer them to a labeled freezer bag for easy storage. Next time you’re cooking, simply pop out a cube and add it to your dish.
Create Unique Flavored Oils
Creating your own flavored oils is a fantastic way to add unique flavor to your cooking. So, start with a light cooking oil, such as light olive oil, which won’t overpower the flavors of the herbs and spices you’ll be using. Pour the oil into a pan and add your favorite dry herbs or spices.
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Using dry ingredients helps extend the shelf life of your flavored oil. Heat the mixture gently on the stove to allow the flavors to infuse. Be careful not to let the oil get too hot so it doesn’t ruin the delicate flavors. Once the oil has cooled, strain out the solids and pour the infused oil into a clean, airtight bottle. You can use your flavored oils for your salads, roasted vegetables, etc.
Toast Nuts in the Microwave or in a Popcorn Popper
Adding toasted nuts to your meals can improve their flavor and texture. So, toast nuts in the microwave or a popcorn popper in just a few minutes. For the microwave method, spread the nuts in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave them in one-minute intervals, tossing them in between each interval until they are golden brown. This usually takes about three to four minutes, depending on the type and quantity of nuts.
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Alternatively, you can use a popcorn popper. Add about ¼ cups of nuts to the machine and let it run for about a minute or until the nuts are golden brown. Be sure to keep an eye on them to prevent burning. Toasted nuts can be used for various dishes, including salads and granola.
Keep Bananas Fresh With Plastic Wrap
Bananas tend to get brown easily, so to keep them fresher for longer, wrap the stems in plastic wrap. This slows down the ripening process by trapping the ethylene gas produced by the fruit.
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Ethylene gas is a natural plant hormone that regulates the ripening of fruits. By wrapping the stems, you prevent the gas from spreading to other parts of the banana, which ultimately slows down the ripening.
Speed Up Fruit Ripening
On the flip side, if you’ve bought fruit that isn’t quite ripe yet, you can speed up the ripening process with a simple trick. Place the fruit in a paper bag and fold the top over to trap the ethylene gas inside. This works particularly well for fruits like avocados, peaches, and pears.
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The trapped ethylene gas hastens the ripening process, helping your fruit reach peak ripeness more quickly. If you want an even faster result, add a ripe banana or apple to the bag. These fruits emit more ethylene gas, further speeding up the process. But remember to check the fruit daily to avoid over-ripening.
Separate Egg Yolks With a Clean Bottle
Separating egg yolks from the whites can be tricky and messy. To prevent this, use a plastic bottle. Start by cracking the egg into a bowl. Then, take a clean, empty plastic bottle and squeeze it slightly to create a vacuum.
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Hold the bottle over the yolk and slowly release the squeeze. The suction will draw the yolk up into the bottle, separating it cleanly from the white. This method is not only fun but also highly effective. It reduces the risk of breaking the yolk and getting it mixed with the white. So, try this hack if you want to separate multiple eggs quickly and without making a mess.
Stop Syrup from Sticking to Your Spoon
Are you frustrated with syrup sticking to your spoon every time you try to enjoy a delicious stack of pancakes? You can try some easy hacks to prevent this from happening. One method is to coat the spoon with a neutral-flavored cooking oil or butter before dipping it into the syrup. This creates a barrier between the spoon and the syrup, allowing it to slide off easily.
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Another trick is to dip the spoon into hot water before scooping up the syrup. The heat from the water prevents the syrup from sticking. These simple hacks can make your pancake breakfast more enjoyable by eliminating the sticky mess and ensuring you get every drop of syrup onto your plate.
Make Perfectly Shaped Pancakes
For perfectly shaped pancakes, use a squeezy bottle to pour the batter into the pan. This allows you to control the amount of batter and create uniform pancakes every time. You can even get creative and make fun shapes like hearts or stars.
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Another tip for making light and fluffy pancakes is to add a bit of soda water to your pancake mix. The carbonation in the soda water helps to aerate the batter, resulting in pancakes that are tender and melt in your mouth!
Turn Cake Mistakes into Delicious Treats
Sometimes, cakes don’t turn out as expected, but you can still turn a baking disaster into a tasty treat. So, if your cake is overcooked or undercooked, don’t throw it away. Instead, break it up into pieces and mix it with frosting to make cake pops.
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Simply roll the mixture into balls, insert a stick, and dip them into melted chocolate or candy coating. Alternatively, layer the cake pieces with whipped cream, pudding, or custard to create a trifle. These creative solutions allow you to salvage your cake and turn it into something really delicious.
Keep Oven-Baked Cookies Fresh for Longer
There’s nothing like a warm, chewy cookie straight from the oven, but they can start to become dry and hard after a day or two.
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To maintain their oven-baked freshness, store your cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The bread will absorb the moisture in the air, keeping your cookies soft and chewy for longer. This simple trick can extend the life of your cookies so you can enjoy them over several days.
Soften Hard Brown Sugar
If you’ve ever tried to scoop a spoonful of brown sugar only to find it’s turned into a hard brick, you don’t have to worry. There are a few tricks to keep it perfectly soft. You can store brown sugar in an airtight container with a slice of bread, an apple, or a piece of terra cotta that has been soaked in water for 30 minutes.
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The moisture from these items will help soften the sugar. For a quick fix, place the sugar in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave in 10-15-second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches the desired softness. This ensures your brown sugar is always ready to use, making baking and cooking much easier.
Revive Stale Bread
Do you have a loaf of bread that’s going stale? Brush some water over the loaf and bake it in a 350°F oven for around 10-12 minutes.
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The water will create steam, which helps to soften the bread and restore its freshness. The result is a loaf that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, just like it was when it was freshly baked.
