Here’s what I think of cooking: I love the idea of cooking, I love the thought of it. I like the whole concept of making something nice while having a nice drink and listening to some great music. The reality of the situation is pretty different. I am cooking for our teenage boy who acts like a four pound package of chicken is one meal, and of course I have my goldendoodle Gigi who thinks she is the emotional support supervisor of the kitchen. So I love having my tried and true time saving shortcuts, and I hope that the ones that I am going to share with you are going to give you that amazing superior feeling when you use them, too! These are my kitchen hacks that I use to make my life seem somewhat more put together and everyday cooking just a bit easier.
1. Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil
Buying fresh herbs is quite the experience, isn’t it? It’s like you purchase them in hopes that you’ll transform into a professional chef, but then three days later they look like they’ve been abused in your fridge. Now I chop them and freeze them in olive oil, and all of a sudden I’m ready. I just throw a cube into the pan, and it’s like, who am I? Plus, no more wasting herbs, which is a relief for my budget. It feels so nice to be organized and to actually be capable and ahead of the game. It's like, "I planned this."
2. Use a Damp Paper Towel Under Your Cutting Board
Is your cutting board sliding around? Place a dampp paper towel under it and it will remain in place. Chopping food will feel safer and less chaotic. We all have enough chaos in our lives. It’s the small things that make you irrationally happy.
3. Microwave Citrus Before Juicing
There is nothing worse than squeezing a lemon and getting practically nothing out of it. Come on lemon, you had one job! If you put it in the microwave for a few seconds, it will be more generous. I do this all the time, and because I hate wasting food (in this case, citrus) it has become a principle of mine. I also enjoy the feeling of being efficient, and this makes me more efficient.
4. Peel Garlic with a Jar Shake
For quick removal of garlic skin, put the garlic in a jar and shake it like you’re on a cooking show. It really works, and even helps relieve stress. I sometimes give the jar to the kids to see how dedicated they are to the task. Anything that helps dinner prep and entertains me is a win!
5. Store Brown Sugar with a Marshmallow
It's rude that brown sugar turns into a rock, but putting a marshmallow in the container keeps it soft longer? I don't question it, I just accept it. Especially when baking season rolls around and the patience is low and the expectations are high. I respect it.
6. Use a Spoon to Peel Ginger
I used to think peeling ginger was extremely aggressive. I tried using a spoon to peel ginger, and it's honestly way easier and less irritating. There is less waste and I am not annoyed with the process as much. I feel like I've grown as a person.
7. Keep Salad Greens Fresh with Paper Towels
No one likes to open a container of greens to find a soggy mess. Simply place some paper towels at the bottom of the container to keep them fresher for longer. It's that easy to save money and food! Feels like responsible adulting.
8. Grate Cold Butter for Baking
Grating butter has changed the game! I’m so sick of yelling at myself for forgetting to take the butter out to soften and waiting for my butter to soften. I can grate the butter and boom, it’s ready to go. Instant time saver and back on track. I feel like it is some life hack that is a bit much, but it’s actually really useful! I have used it so much more than I expected.
9. Crack Eggs on a Flat Surface
Perfectly clean eggshell breaks that are so easy, just not in the bowl. That’s why you crack your eggs in a flat surface, outside of the bowl! Easy eggs, clean eggs, and frustration gone! That’s total clear and 100% clean eggs, frustration gone. I’m clearly 100% about it.
10. Use Kitchen Shears for Everything
Our kitchen scissors are lifesavers. There are so many things we can chop up with them, like herbs, meats, pizzas, etc. It’s a little bit more work than a knife, but way easier and faster. Definitely less cleanup as well. It’s gotten to the point where my husband uses them too, and that’s saying something. If he can’t screw it up, anyone can use them.
11. Freeze Leftover Wine for Cooking
The idea of leftover wine may be daring, but if you go ahead with it, try freezing it in cubes. It will be great for later use in sauces. It’s a fancy and efficient option, your open a whole bottle to use just a splash and it feels responsible.
12. Keep a “Scrap Bag” for Veggies
I really like keeping a bag in the freezer that I fill with veggie scraps. I save them to make broth later. It feels like I am capturing free flavor. It makes me feel really put together. Like yes, I planned this, even if the rest of my kitchen says otherwise.
13. Use Ice Water for Crisp Veggies
When your veggies look sad, give them a bath in ice water. They perk right up, looking like they just had a day at the spa! I do this more than I want to admit. It is quick, simple, and satisfying to watch.
14. Toast Spices Before Using
This only takes a minute but it makes everything taste better. Toast them in a dry pan and you’re unlocking flavor. It feels like a chef level move without much difficulty and that is exactly my speed.
15. Use a Muffin Tin for Portioning
I love how I can use these to prepare my ingredients, or even for serving taco toppers (maybe doing both at once?). Taco toppers stay organized, which is something I can tell you is less common in my house. I appreciate it. I think it makes dinner look less chaotic and more intentional.
16. Store Onions in Pantyhose
I get it, this probably sounds really silly. But it does help to keep onions in pantyhose. I was a little self-conscious trying it, too, but I don't care how it looks, I just want it to work.
17. Use Dental Floss to Cut Soft Foods
Unflavored dental floss works great for slicing cakes and soft cheeses; it cuts through them with no mess or squishing. It's actually very satisfying and effective to use. Unless you want an unexpected flavor experience, make sure the dental floss you use isn't mint flavored.
18. Keep a Garbage Bowl While Cooking
While cooking, it is important to keep the workstation organized. Things get chaotic when food scrap oulling from the bowl. With just one small change in practices, cooking becomes faster, less messy, and cleaning is easy. It sort of gives an illusion of being super efficient.
19. Freeze Coffee for Iced Drinks
Making coffee into ice cubes is a mini extravagance that eliminates the dilemma of watered down iced coffee. It's a great treat in the morning when sleep didn't go as we planned. And that is most mornings.
20. Use a Potato to Fix Salty Soup
If you've added too much salt to a recipe, throw in a peeled potato. It helps absorb salt. It's not a miracle worker but it can help salvage a dish. I certainly appreciate the help.
21. Roll Citrus to Get More Juice
Rolling the lemons on the counter makes them easier to juice. Pair that with the microwave trick, and you’re unstoppable! It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference.
22. Use Binder Clips to Seal Bags
I use binder clips for all kinds of things. They get the job done. I won't be spending money on something else when I can use binder clips.
23. Label Leftovers with Dates
This is to avoid the classic ‘how long has this been in here?’ situation. A bit of tape and a marker can do wonders. Not fun, but it has to be done, and future you will thank you for it.
24. Use a Slow Cooker Liner
Almost dreamlike is the lack of cleanup required. I was hesitant to embrace these at first, but I’ve come around. Anything that translates to fewer dishes is a yes, especially given that I appear to be the only one who notices.
25. Freeze Dough for Later
Saving some prep time for your future self too? Love that. We all know some nights we just wanna take the dub and not put in the effort, and this achieves exactly that.
26. Use a Fork to Juice Citrus
All you have to do is stick the fork in the fruit, twist, and squeeze. It gets out more juice and takes less effort! There are no gadgets needed, just a simple and easy solution.
27. Clean as You Go
I understand that this is not the most exciting thing, but I promise it changes everything. It can feel less overwhelming to cook when it doesn't leave a big mess at the end. And while it would be nice if I could say that my family helps with the cleanup after the meal… I have perfected the art of giving the winning look that says, "someone else lives here too."
At the end of the day, cooking should not feel like a full on show. Here are some little tricks that make cooking easier, quicker and somewhat more fun to do. If they can work in my house with all the chaos going on, they will work in yours.