Cooking at home can be a delightful experience, yet it often comes with challenges like time constraints and budget management. But fear not, fellow home chefs, for we are here to share some ingenious cooking hacks that will make your kitchen life both cost-effective and time-efficient.
Shake Garlic in a Jar to Peel It
Starting with garlic, a staple in most kitchens, peeling it can be a tedious and time-consuming task. However, there is a nifty trick to make it a breeze. Simply place your garlic cloves in a jar, seal it, and give it a vigorous shake for about 20 seconds. The result? The skins will practically fall off the cloves, saving you precious minutes and sparing your fingers from that lingering garlic scent.
Cats / Pexels / You can easily peel garlic by shaking it in a jar.
This method is particularly handy when you need a large quantity of peeled garlic for your recipes.
Prevent Your Pasta Water From Sticking by Adding Oil
There is nothing more frustrating than pasta sticking together after you have drained it. To avoid this, add a few drops of oil to your pasta water. This simple act creates a slight barrier around each pasta strand, preventing them from sticking together.
Not only does this save you the hassle of dealing with clumps of pasta. But it also ensures that your pasta is perfectly cooked and ready to absorb all the delicious flavors of your sauce.
Use Ice Cube Trays for Freezing
This hack is a game-changer for preserving herbs, sauces, and even leftover wine (if you ever have any!). Pour these liquids into ice cube trays and freeze them. Once frozen, pop them out and store them in freezer bags. This method not only saves money by reducing waste but also time.
Cotton Bro / Pexels / Use your ice cube trays as an affordable alternative to costly freezers.
This way, you will have perfectly portioned herbs and sauces ready to go for your next cooking adventure.
Use Scissors to Cut Your Pizza
Who says you need a pizza cutter? Grab a pair of kitchen scissors instead! Cutting pizza with scissors is not only easier but also gives you more control over the size of your slices. This hack is particularly useful for thick crust or heavily topped pizzas, where a traditional pizza cutter might struggle.
Plus, it is one less specialized kitchen tool you need to buy and store.
Easily Grate Ginger by Placing It in the Freezer for a While
If you have ever struggled with grating fresh ginger, this hack is for you. Freeze the ginger root for about an hour before you need to use it. Freezing it makes the fibrous root firmer and easier to grate.
Karolina / Pexels / Freeze gingers and grate them with ease.
This little trick will save you time and effort. And you will get the perfect ginger paste for your dishes, with minimal waste and maximum flavor.
Do Not Load the Dishwasher the Wrong Way
Lastly, a correctly loaded dishwasher can save both water and energy, thereby saving you money. Ensure that dishes are not blocking the water outlets, are facing down and upright, and leave enough space between each one for a good clean.
Avoid overloading it or putting too many items on top of each other as this can result in spots and extra-long wash times.
These simple hacks can help make your life easier while also saving time and energy. Whether you are meal prepping, tackling some dishes, or making pizzas with friends, use ‘minimal waste’ and ‘maximum flavor’ to find the right cooking hack.
