10 Mind-Blowing Cooking Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
Cooking can be both a joy and a challenge. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook, there are always ways to make things easier, faster, and even tastier. Here are ten mind-blowing cooking hacks that will revolutionize the way you cook—and make you wonder how you ever lived without them!
1. Peel Garlic in Seconds
Struggling to peel garlic? Here’s a hack: Place the garlic cloves in a metal bowl, cover it with another metal bowl, and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. The skins will come off like magic, and you’ll have perfectly peeled garlic without sticky fingers.
2. Keep Herbs Fresh with a Paper Towel
Fresh herbs tend to wilt quickly. To keep them fresh for longer, wrap the herbs in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag or airtight container in the fridge. The moisture will keep them vibrant for days, extending their shelf life.
3. Revive Stale Bread with Water
If your bread has gone stale, don’t toss it out! Wet the crust with water and place the loaf in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. The moisture will soften the bread, making it taste fresh again.
4. Use a Spoon to Peel Ginger
Ginger can be tricky to peel due to its odd shape, but a spoon is the perfect tool. Simply scrape the skin off using the edge of a spoon. It removes just the thin outer layer, leaving more of the ginger for your recipe.
5. Prevent Pots from Boiling Over
Nothing’s more annoying than a pot of pasta or rice boiling over. Prevent this by laying a wooden spoon across the top of the pot. The spoon will break the surface tension and stop the foam from spilling over.
6. Ripen Bananas Quickly in the Oven
Need ripe bananas for baking? Place unripe bananas on a baking sheet and put them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes. They’ll turn soft and sweet, perfect for banana bread or smoothies.
7. Get Crispy Skin on Chicken Every Time
For perfectly crispy chicken skin, pat the skin dry with paper towels before cooking, and cook it skin-side down in a hot pan without moving it for the first few minutes. This technique helps the skin render its fat and get extra crispy.
8. Easily Separate Egg Yolks
Cracking eggs and separating yolks can be tricky. Use an empty plastic water bottle to solve this. Squeeze the bottle slightly and place the opening over the yolk. Release the bottle, and it will suck the yolk right out, leaving the whites behind.
9. Use Ice Cubes to Reheat Rice
When reheating leftover rice, it often turns out dry. Place an ice cube on top of the rice before microwaving it and cover it with a damp paper towel. The steam from the ice cube will keep the rice moist and fluffy.
10. Freeze Leftover Wine for Cooking
Got leftover wine? Freeze it in ice cube trays! The wine cubes are perfect for adding to sauces, stews, and other recipes. You’ll never have to open a new bottle just for cooking again.
Final Thoughts
These ten cooking hacks can transform your kitchen experience, saving you time, effort, and even money. From peeling garlic in seconds to reviving stale bread, these tips will make you a more efficient—and confident—cook. Try them out, and you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without them!
