Welcome to the world of food hacks! Are you looking for quick and easy ways to make your meals more delicious and easier to prepare? If so, then you’ll want to check out these 40 food hacks that will revolutionize the way you cook. With these clever tricks and tips, you can whip up delicious dishes in no time and make meal prep a breeze. Let’s get cooking!
1.) Freeze your herbs
This is one of the easiest ways to preserve the flavor and aroma of your herbs. Just chop your fresh herbs, place them in an ice cube tray, pour a dash of water or oil over the top, and freeze. When you’re ready, just pop out a cube and you’ll have a flavorful addition to your dish.
2.) Make your own flavored oils
Simply pour any type of light cooking oil (e.g. light olive oil) into a pan, add your favorite dry herbs/spices (to extend the shelf life), and heat up on the stove. This will infuse the oil with a delightful, aromatic flavor. The perfect addition to your cooking or use as a delicious topping for salads and other dishes.
3.) Toast Nuts in the Microwave or in a Popcorn Popper
A fast and delicious way to add crunch and flavor to your meals. Either place the nuts in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate or dish and microwave for one-minute intervals, tossing in between, until deliciously golden-brown, or try a popcorn popper! Simply pour ¼ cup of nuts into the machine for around a minute, until they are golden-brown and ready to enjoy.
4.) Keep Bananas from Browning with Plastic Wrap
No one likes their delicious yellow fruit to go brown. Simply wrap the stems of your bananas in plastic wrap. This slows the ripening process by trapping the ethylene gas and can keep them fresher for longer.
5.) Speed up Ripening
If, however, you are frustrated with buying fruit that is not quite ripe, simply store in a paper bag. This helps to trap ethylene gas and speeds up the ripening process.
6.) Separate egg yolks using a bottle
If you're struggling to separate egg yolks, why not try using a bottle? Simply crack the egg into a bowl and then hold a bottle over the yolk. Slowly squeeze the bottle and you'll find that the suction pressure will draw the yolk up into the bottle - it's as easy as that!
7.) Stop that syrup from sticking to your spoon
Are you frustrated with the syrup sticking to your spoon every time you try to enjoy a delicious stack of pancakes? Don’t worry, there are some easy hacks to prevent this from happening! Try coating the spoon with neutral-flavored cooking oil or butter. This will create a barrier between the spoon and the syrup, allowing it to easily slide off. Additionally, you can dip the spoon into hot water before scooping up the syrup. The heat of the water will help prevent any sticking.
8.) Perfect Pancakes Every Time
For the perfect pancake shapes, pour your pancake mixture into a squeezy bottle and squeeze into the pan. This allows you to precisely control the amount of batter you’re pouring and the size of the pancake. If you’re feeling creative, you can even make fun designs like swirls, hearts, and other shapes with your pancake batter. Top tip: Add soda water to your pancake mix. Adding a bit of carbonated beverage to your batter can make all the difference. The result is an incredibly light and fluffy pancake that will melt in your mouth.
9.) Turn your cake disasters into a delicious success
So, you have taken your cake out of the oven only to find it is not as expected. Don't worry! There are many ways to turn your baking disaster into a delicious success. Try Breaking up the pieces, mix with frosting, and turn into delectable cake pops or layer with whipped cream, followed by a layer of pudding or custard for a delightful trifle. Check out our blog here for many more ideas.
10.) Oven-baked cookies for longer
Who doesn’t enjoy a warm, chewy cookie straight from the oven? Unfortunately, after a day or two they can start to become dry and hard. Here is a hack to maintain their oven-baked freshness for longer. Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread! The bread will absorb the moisture in the air, and keep your cookies soft and chewy for longer! Here at Plastic Container City, we offer a huge variety of airtight containers to showcase, transport, protect and keep your bakery delight fresh. Check out our full range here.
11.) Soften Hard, Brown Sugar
If you've ever tried to scoop a spoonful of brown sugar to add to your baking and noticed it had turned into a brick, don't despair. Here are a few tricks to keep it perfectly soft.
Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread (like with the cookies above!), an apple, or a piece of terra cotta that has been soaked in water for 30 minutes. The moisture from these items will help to soften the sugar and make it workable again.
For a super quick fix, place the sugar in a microwavable bowl and cover with a paper towel. Microwave in 10-15 second intervals, stirring it in between until it reaches the desired softness.
12.) Stale Bread?
Do you have a whole loaf going stale? Quickly revive it in the oven with water. Brush some water over the loaf and cook in a 350°F oven for around 10-12 minutes or until crispy on the outside and scrumptiously soft on the inside.
13.) Slice your cakes like a pro
Cutting cakes can become a messy affair but here are some tricks for the perfect slice every time. First, Chill your cake in the refrigerator for around 10-15 minutes to slightly harden it for easier and neater cutting. Next, run the cake knife under hot water and dry thoroughly between cuts for smooth, clean slices.
If you're also looking for a fool-proof way to cut evenly sized slices, try using a piece of string or dental floss. Gently press a line down the middle of the cake and repeat after rotating it 90º. This will help you accurately identify the midpoint of the cake. Continue this process in between the four quarters to achieve the desired number of slices and simply cut along the lines.
14.) Are your eggs still safe to eat?
Try this simple float test. Place the egg into a bowl of cold water. If it sinks, the egg is good and can be eaten but if it floats, it’s time to throw it out.
15.) Easily peel garlic
Just branch the cloves in boiling water and once cooled, the skins should slip right off!
16.) Measure sticky ingredients
Ah, sticky ingredients! We've all been there. Your recipe calls for a certain amount of honey, maple syrup, or peanut butter, and you're left trying to figure out how to accurately measure it when half of it sticks to the bowl. Don't worry, though – we've got a simple solution to your sticky situation. Just pour the sticky ingredients into a bowl lined with wax paper and you'll have your ingredients perfectly measured and ready to go!
17.) Preserve your Potatoes
Are you tired of your potatoes going brown? Here are a few simple tips to help:
Store your potatoes in a cool, dark place such as a pantry, basement, or cellar. Temperatures of 45-50°F (7-10°C) are ideal, in a paper or burlap sack. Avoid Plastic bags as these can trap humidity and make the potatoes more likely to turn brown.
Avoid keeping your potatoes near onions or other ripening fruits like apples, bananas, and tomatoes as these release gas that can cause browning.
If you choose to cut your potatoes, you can place them in cold water for up to a day. This prevents oxidation and keeps them looking beautifully white. Adding lemon juice or vinegar can help to further prevent any discoloration.
18.) Say Goodbye to Soggy Sandwiches
Put an end to soggy sandwiches with these simple tips and tricks. Start by choosing your bread wisely. Opt for a crusty loaf like sourdough, ciabatta or rye bread over store-bought sliced bread. If you are using wet ingredients like tomatoes and cucumber, try and soak up any excess liquid using kitchen paper. Next, Spreading butter, mayo or cheese slices can act as a barrier between the bread and moist ingredients.
19.) Make Perfect Frothy Milk in Seconds
Are you a huge fan of coffee but don’t want to invest in a barista-level milk frothing machine? Don’t worry, you can easily froth milk at home without any special tools. Simply, pour your favorite milk into a sealed bottle/jar making sure that it is not filled more than halfway, and shake away. Once foamy, remove the lid, microwave for 30 seconds and voila, perfectly frothed milk.
20.) Homemade-Style Frozen Rolls
With the right seasoning and a few simple steps, you can make homemade-Style rolls out of your basic frozen ones from the supermarket. Once defrosted, it's time to get creative. Preheat your oven, brush the rolls with a beaten egg, and add your favorite seasoning and toppings. Ideas include garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, grated cheese, a few drops of olive oil or a slither of butter. Bake the rolls following the instructions on the package for beautiful golden, homemade-style bread.
21.) Rescue a Salty Soup
Have you ever been in the middle of making a delicious soup, only to find out that it's too salty? All you need to do is either:
- Add some water to dilute it.
- Add a touch of acid like a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of white wine to balance out the saltiness.
- Add a slice of starchy vegetable like Potatoes or carrots, and allow it to simmer for around 10 minutes to soak up some of the excess salt.
- Add Sweetness: A bit of sugar or honey can help to balance out the saltiness - start with a small amount, and add more as needed.
- Dilute with Something Creamy: Adding a bit of cream, yogurt, or sour cream to the soup can help to dilute the salty flavor.
22.) Cool drinks in a flash
Are you tired of always having to wait for your drinks to be cold? Just wrap your drink in a wet paper towel and place the refrigerator for around 15 minutes, the freezer or a bucket of iced cold water. The water in the paper towel absorbs the heat from the liquid and quickly cools it down to the perfect temperature.
23.) Keep Your Apple Slices Fresh and Delicious
Many of us have experienced the frustration of having our freshly sliced apples turn brown before we can enjoy them. Instead of spritzing the apples in lemon juice, try putting the apple slices back together around the core and hold in place with a rubber band or plastic wrap. This will help keep the oxygen away and maintain freshness.
24.) Keep Nuts Fresh
Nuts are a great snack and perfect for adding crunch and texture to meals, but due to their high oil content, they can spoil quickly. To keep them fresher longer, simply store them in the freezer and take out when required without needing to thaw.
25.) Get More Juice
Did you know that microwaving citrus fruits helps to release even more juice? Just place your whole favorite fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruits in the microwave for around 20 to 30 seconds, slice, and juice as normal. The heat from the microwave causes the cells within the fruit to burst, releasing more of the delicious juice.
You can also try rolling them back and forth with the palm of your hand prior to juicing as this also helps to break down the membranes of the fruit, allowing more juice to flow!
Tip: Did you know that these methods also help to peel citrus fruits more easily?
26.) Hull strawberries with a straw
Welcome strawberry lovers! Have you ever tried hulling strawberries with a straw? Just push a drinking straw from the bottom of the berry through to the other end (in the direction of the green leaves!) and watch the stem drop off.
27.) The perfect ice cream scoop
Do you ever find yourself with an irresistible craving for ice cream, only to find it rock-hard in the freezer? The good news is there is a super easy hack to help! Store your ice cream container inside a plastic bag, press out all the air, seal it shut and store in the freezer. By keeping the air out, your ice cream remains perfectly soft with the added bonus of preventing freezer burns.
28.) Peel potatoes without a peeler
Peeling potatoes can seem like a real chore. Instead, slice a shallow cut in each potato and boil until tender. Rinse with cold water and rub the skins right off like magic!
29.) Easily remove eggshells
Those stubborn eggshells can be super tricky to remove. Here are a few tricks to help. First, start cooking the eggs in boiling water (yes, how you cook them can make a difference!). Once cooked, give your eggs an ice-cold bath for a few minutes to cool them right down. Then, gently, crack the shells and peel them off under the water or under the faucet with cold running water.
30.) Stop cheese from sticking to the grater
Are you frustrated with cheese sticking to the grater? Add a spritz of cooking oil or lightly coat the grater with oil or butter before grating the cheese. Also, try and make sure the cheese is cold before you grate it. This will create a firmer surface and make it less likely to stick.
31.) The perfect ice coffee
Here's the perfect hack for all the iced coffee lovers out there! Pour your favorite coffee into ice cube molds, freeze and add to your delicious chilled beverage. Now you do not need to worry about diluting your coffee with regular ice cubes.
32.) Stop the water boiling over
So, you are cooking pasta and have stepped away for a second only to find that the water has boiled all over the stove. Next time, use a wooden spoon! Lay it over the top of the pan and as wood does not conduct heat, it will help the boiling bubbles condense back into the water.
Please keep in mind that this is a short-term solution as the spoon will eventually warm up and no longer be effective.
33.) Don’t cry over onions
Adding just a few drops of lemon or lime juice to your cutting board before you dice onions is an easy and effective way to keep your eyes free from tears. Don’t worry, it won't affect the flavor of your delicious meal!
34.) Add a dollop of mayo to your cake
This might sound very strange, but trust me - adding a dollop of mayo to your cake batter can make your cake even more deliciously moist and indulgent. Think about it - mayo is mainly eggs and oil, so it's no surprise that it makes your cake taste so good!
35.) Make your own cake flour
Don’t worry if you have run out of cake flour. Before running to the store, gather all-purpose flour and cornstarch from the cupboard. Start by measuring out 1 cup of the flour. Remove 2 tablespoons and replace with add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch Use a whisk or fork to thoroughly blend the two ingredients together. Now you're all set to bake the perfect treats!
36.) Perfect Meatballs with an Ice Cream Scoop
Try using an ice cream scoop to shape your meatballs. It is an easy and efficient way to get perfectly round, uniformly sized meatballs every time.
37.) Homemade buttermilk
Making your own buttermilk at home is a simple, cost-effective way to add a delicious tang to your favorite recipes. Just add 1 tablespoon of either lemon juice or white vinegar to one cup of milk and let it sit for around 10 minutes. It is ready to use when the milk starts to curdle. It’s that easy.
38.) Use a waffle maker to make hash browns
Thus is a fun and creative way to give this classic breakfast item a delicious twist. Place shredded potatoes with seasoning of your choice in the waffle maker and cook until golden brown.
39.) Use a potato masher to tenderize tough cuts of meat
This is the perfect substitution for the classic meat mallet! Place the meat in a bowl and mash it with the potato masher. This will help break down the fibers and tenderize the meat.
40.) Make Perfect Potato Fries with Your Apple Slicer
Are you ready to make some delicious potato fries? Look no further than your trusty apple slicer for a quick and easy way to slice up potatoes into the perfect size.
With these clever tricks and tips, you can whip up delicious dishes in no time! Start experimenting today and be sure to check out all our blogs for more tips to help with your cooking, baking and bakery business!
