Favorite Kitchen Tips and Tricks

4.29.2013

One of my favorite things about cooking and baking (besides the end product of course) are all the tips and tricks I've accumulated over the years that makes things so much easier. Some of them I've picked up from watching my family cook, others from some of my favorite cooking shows. Then there are the ones I've discovered from my own pure laziness genius, like using the method of deglazing to clean a burnt pan to avoid having to scrub it and ruin my manicure... Like my favorite go-to recipes, some of my favorite kitchen tricks are the ones that I find myself using over and over again, without fail.



1. Buttermilk is an ingredient that always comes up in recipes...after I've gone food shopping. Good thing it is easily recreated at home by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to a measuring cup, then filling the rest with milk to equal 1 cup. Five minutes later and the buttermilk is ready to go.

2. Another handy tip from not reading a recipe all the way through: an egg placed in a mug or bowl with warm water gets it to room temperature in no time.

3. Keeping the pit in and adding some lemon juice to an avocado keeps it from browning.

4. Ice cream scoops make perfectly sized cookies and meatball and are less messy.

5. Parchment paper is an amazing substitute for cooking spray. (especially if you know what's in cooking spray...)

6. Sweet onions don't make you cry.

7. Since I hate cleaning the blender and food processor (I could lose a finger!), this one comes in handy daily: dish washing soap + water + the appliance on high = an easy cleanup.

8. Freezing a soft cheese, like mozzarella, makes it easier to slice or grate.

9. A vegetable peeler doubles nicely as a mandolin.

10. "The Finger Test" is an absolutely genius way to determine if steak is done.

Do you have any favorite kitchen tips of your own? Share them!

10 comments :

  1. Love this! I use that buttermilk trick all the time, but I've never thought to clean a blender that way. Genius!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so good. Easiest cleanup ever!

      Delete
    2. you can also use vinegar if you dont have lemon juice. learned that in culinary school. Also, if something is too salty, you can add a potato, cut in half, and while its cooking, it can suck up some of the sodium.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for the vinegar tip as well as the potato! I've never heard of that one before, but will definitely be keeping ti handy!

      Delete
  2. parchment paper is really the best thing ever. I don't know how I did without it for so long!
    Chic on the Cheap

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here! I love cooking, hate cleanup!

      Delete
  3. the buttermilk tip is the best ever! i'll have to remember that.. thanks girl!

    ReplyDelete
  4. thank your for sharing,i really suck at cooking ;) so they are very useful to me :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, you'll get better, don't worry!

      Delete