Whether we’re beginners, amateurs or veteran cooks, we all look for easy to make cooking easier, right? Be it cooking hacks or even general kitchen hacks, we’re always up for them!
I’m an amateur at cooking and absolutely do not like to cook on a daily basis! So, I have done all the possible researching on the internet to find some of the easiest, most popular and best kitchen hacks used by restaurant chefs to make my life easier and now, yours!
I’ve done the researching, so you don’t have to! Go ahead and check out these life-changing kitchen hacks and you can thank me later!
Kitchen Hacks – Part 2| Hacks Used By Restaurant Chefs
1. Tie rubber bands on knife handles for grip
If you’re a first timer or an amateur at using a knife, knife slip injuries can be common. Tying a couple of rubber bands over the handle of your knife can help you get a better grip over it, to ensure a smooth cutting/chopping experience.
2. Indent your burger patties before frying them
Press a slight dent in the middle of your burger patty (with your finger), before frying or grilling it. This will help it cook evenly and will also help reduce its cooking time.
3. Prevent bitterness by cutting thinner lemon slices/peels
If you find dishes/drinks with lemon slices bitter, that means you’ve cut the slices too thick. If you’ve got to use lemon slices, cut them thinner and if you’re using lemon peels, cut them very sleek or minced to avoid a bittery taste (because of its white pith).
4. Use a plastic bottle or a strainer to separate egg yolks
If you have to only use egg whites or egg yolks in a recipe, simply use a plastic bottle or a strainer to separate the yolks.
Squeeze the bottle a little and place the mouth of the bottle over the yolk. Then, release the bottle and the suction will help pull up the yolk.
5. Boil potatoes whole and unpeeled for creamy mashed potatoes
For creamier mashed potatoes when making mashed potatoes, always boil the potatoes whole and unpeeled. This will keep the moisture inside and give you creamier mashed potatoes.
6. Slice cake with a hot knife for the perfect slices
Slightly heat your knife over the flame (heating both sides and moving the knife so the steel doesn’t burn) and wipe it down with a cloth, before using it to cut cake or cheesecake.
The heated knife will help you get the most perfect slices of cake! Rinse and repeat when the blade cools down.
7. Cakes remain moist with sliced bread
If you’ve got leftover cake after a party or a get together, then place slices of bread on all the open sides and put them up with toothpicks.
This will help keep the cake moist when it’s in the fridge, until it is next consumed.
8. Add a little baking soda into your marinade for better tenderization
Always add just a little bit of baking soda mixed with a little water, into your marinade when marinating any meats or poultry. This can help it tenderize better and quicker. Just make sure to add a little and do not overdo it!
9. Chop herbs and spices in a blender for fine mincing
If you find it hard to finely mince herbs and spices for recipes that call for them, simply toss them all into a blender and pulse for a few seconds to get finely minced herbs!
10. Use a potato masher to separate a chunk of ground beef or any meat
If you’re cooking ground beef, separate the ground beef using a potato masher (once in the pan/cooking pot). This will help cook the meat more evenly and will also make the separation process easier.
11. Chill wine faster with salt
To chill a bottle quickly, find a tall pitcher or metal bucket about the height of your wine bottle. Add ice, water (to reach the neck of the bottle of wine) and 4 tablespoons of salt to the bucket. Submerge the wine bottle in it and then give the water a good stir. The more the ice water circulates, the quicker the wine will chill.
12. fix salty soup with apple
Next time you have oversalted a soup, toss in a few wedges of raw apple or potato. Simmer for 10 minutes and discard the wedges to get the flavor back to normal.
13. Save cut fruit from browning
The best way to prevent browning is to soak the cut fruit in a saltwater or honey water solution (half a teaspoon of kosher salt or 1 tbsp of honey per cup of water) for 10 minutes, then drain and store until ready to use.
14. Peel eggs easily in a mason jar
Take a mason jar and fill it half way with water, then pop in your boiled egg. Seal tight with the lid and gently shake until the shell has come off!
15. Remove excess fat
Spoon out excess fat from stocks, stews, and sauces by skimming a few ice cubes (wrapped in a paper towel or cheese cloth) along the surface of the liquid. The ice helps the fat solidify, making it easier to remove with a spoon.
16. Deep clean and shine wooden utensils
When wooden spoons don’t exactly look (or smell) like they used to, boil them in a pot of water and leave them lying in the sun to dry. Buff a little oil on them using a paper towel to add shine and make them look brand new.
17. Disinfect Kitchen sponge
This method eliminated 99.6% of bacteria. All you have to do is soak your sponge in full-strength vinegar for five minutes, then rinse.
18. vinegar dishwasher rinse aid
Some people put vinegar in the rinse aid compartment, but the vinegar could compromise the integrity of the compartment’s gaskets. To be on the safe side, put the vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack of your dishwasher. The acidity in vinegar effectively breaks down grease, food residue, and mineral deposits inside the dishwasher.