Favorite Kitchen Tips and Tricks

Happy Friday everyone! How did your week go? We had some gorgeous weather (back in the mid 70s – huh??) I got out for a wine-tasting night with some of my new MOPS friends (best decision I ever made joining that group,) and my little bugger boo and I got some QT in with nature. It was all fun and games until I heard what sounded like chips crunching only to look over and see a leaf hanging out Lincoln’s mouth. Where’s the laugh/cry emoji when you need it? (Honestly I feel like that emoji pretty much sums up my entire life. Which one can you relate to most?)

In anticipation of colder weather ahead, and needing some new indoor entertainment ideas, I also got Lincoln got a bird feeder for the back yard this week. He already loves looking out our family room windows to watch all the “bir” pecking away at the bird seed. Now that was all fun and games until I put the leftover seed bag in a cupboard in our outdoor kitchen and a family of squinnies decided to team up and tear it all to shreds. That called for the streaming tears while screaming emoji.

#mybad

Anyway, I’m really excited to share today’s post! My #1 favorite part of writing IGE is getting emails or comments like, “I made this dish for my husband last night and he said it was the best thing I ever made him!” Sweet, sweet small victories! Another thing I love is sharing kitchen tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way that make cooking and my life in the kitchen a little bit easier. Every “I’ve never heard/seen/thought of that before!” makes me shout a little hooray! in my mind.

Usually I sprinkle tips within the step-by-step instructions of a blog post, so they can get buried. That said, I decided to comb through the IGE archives and round up all my favorite tips from over the years. I’d love to hear your tips, tricks, and even kitchen hacks that you swear by too, so leave those in the comments section.

Hope you enjoy, maybe learn a thing or two, and have a great weekend!

Tip #1

Scoop leftover tomato paste into a plastic baggie, separate into portions with your fingertip, and then freeze flat. Break off a chunk the next time you need a little for a recipe (same goes for chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.) Since tomato paste is so sticky it’s easier to scoop it into a bag then into a ice cube tray. 

Tip #2

Chop big pieces of lettuce quickly and easily by zipping through them with a pizza cutter right in the salad bowl. 

Tip #3

Clean a microwave faster and easier by nuking 2 cups water in a microwave safe vessel for 2 minutes then wiping down the insides with a clean cloth. Add a wedge or two of lemon to the water for some real cleaning power!

Tip #4

Freeze soft cheese like fresh mozzarella for 15 minutes to make it easier to slice or shred. 

Tip #5

To easily strip kale leaves from stems, grip the leaves at the thickest end of the stem then pull the stem out with the other hand (kind of like stripping fresh thyme leaves from the stem.) 

Tip #6

To stuff cupcakes with filling or colored frosting, cut a cone from the top with a small knife at an angle. Cut off the cone from the lid, fill, top, and then frost! 

 

Tip #7

No need to peel garlic cloves if you have a garlic press. Just pop the whole clove in the hopper, press, and then remove the empty peel.

Tip #8

Easily slice big-leafed herbs like basil and sage by stacking, rolling, and then slicing across into ribbons. 

Tip #9

To prevent quinoa from falling through your fine mesh sieve while rinsing, run the sieve under water first to create a barrier between the quinoa and mesh. 

Tip #10

If your grill’s got a little gunk on it and you can’t find the grill brush, crinkle up a big sheet of foil then rub it along the grates before lighting the grill.

Tip #11

To ensure chicken breasts cook evenly from top to bottom, place the chicken on a cutting board then cover with Glad Press’n’ Seal or saran wrap, and then whack it with a rolling pin or meat mallet until the chicken is the same thickness.

Tip #12

Always peel hard-boiled eggs when they’re freshly cooked. If you refrigerate with the shell on then try to remove it later it’s nearly impossible to peel. 

Tip #13

Place dough that need to rise in a bowl over a heating pad set to low for even, consistent heat.

Tip #14

Use measuring cups or a cookie scoop to pour out pancakes, muffins, cupcakes, etc to ensure they all come out the same size. 

Tip #15

Pierce hard squash with a sharp knife two or three times then microwave for 1 – 1-1/2 minutes to make it easier to slice open and deseed. 

Easy Kitchen Organizing Tips

• Stash plastic bags in empty paper towel tubes, hanging bag holders or even fold them so they take up less room yet still convenient to grab and go. Find plenty of projects on this page.
• A crock can be used to hold frequently needed utensils and set on the counter for easy access (wooden spoons, spatulas, soup ladles, etc.). Also helps keep the large utensils drawer better sorted since less is packed inside (dividers or shallow baskets come in handy here). Can also hang a wall basket to stash lightweight larger items.
• Store a hand mixer, its beaters and attachments into a basket before tucking away into a cupboard. No more fussing with wrapping cords, digging around for attachments-everything is neatly tucked in the basket. This works for all kinds of small appliances and their attachments (electric knives, food choppers, electric juicers, etc.). (Source: Marilyn Bohn).
• Spices can take up a lot of precious space–get them off the shelf and up on the wall. Mount a spice rack inside the pantry on a wall or hang a narrow basket shelf inside the door (not over the stove, heat degrades the quality of stored herbs and spices).
• A well stocked and sorted pantry will save time, money and effort. See Beginner Guide to Pantry Pride for helpful information. Fabric totes, plastic bins, big glass jars can be used as containers. Also see Martha Stewart’s list of How To Stock Home Essentials.
• Consider stashing measuring cups right in the bins along with the sugar, flour, etc. If you have big bins, consider sticking the sifter right in with the flour too. Great trick and no more digging for lost measuring cups!
• Use shallow tubs and boxes to contain like items in the refrigerator (idea from Susiej). Just pull out the tub and grab what’s needed (condiments box for relish, etc.). No more digging through the fridge trying to find that elusive jar of mustard!
• Keep pouches of dry soup mixes, seasonings, etc., in small bins (empty margarine tubs work great) or baskets…now they’re neat & tidy in one place.
• Insert kitchen reference charts and favorite recipes in clear plastic sleeves then hang on the inside of cupboard doors for easy access. They can easily be wiped clean and frequently referenced info will be right at your fingertips.
• Pack lids for plastic containers or Tupperware in a clear tub or large ziploc bags so it’s easy to see just where the required lid is…no more rampaging foot loose and fancy free!
• Get the knife block off the counter by installing a magnetic bar along a back counter wall–will hold knives securely. A magnetic bar can be installed on the pantry wall to hold small tools (screwdriver, pliers, etc.) or make a hanging tool organizer found on this page.
• Lazy susans are a great tool to store like things together and you’ll know just where to grab what’s needed.
• Cup hooks: Affix to the inside of cupboard doors and on pantry walls. Hang things like measuring spoons, large bbq & kitchen utensils (with straps or holes for hanging), trivets, etc.
• Ziploc bags neatly carry small like-items (like twisty ties, corn cob handles, etc.) then stash all the bags together in a basket or tub.
• Utilize the space underneath cupboards by installing a paper towel or plastic wrap holder, knife holders, etc.
• Charts or magnets will nicely track food items in the freezer…you’ll be able to keep on top of what should be eaten soon (less to throw out).
• A bamboo steamer makes an ideal countertop food container, stash bulbs of garlic, onions, shallots, and other items that don’t require refrigeration and need ventilation. (Source: Martha Stewart).

Kitchen Tips and Tricks That Nobody Told You About

If you’re anything like me, you spend a lot of time planning meals and preparing food, making all of those helpful kitchen tips and tricks that save you time (and your sanity) worth knowing! And so, I have rounded up some of the best kitchen tips that just might have you saying “Why didn’t I think of that?”. I certainly wish I had known these a long time ago!

A few of these “secrets” I know I will use often (like fishing out broken egg shells and freezing leftover sauces). Whether you’re a workaholic who barley has time to open the fridge, a busy stay-at-home mom, or are in the running for your own show on The Food Network, I think you’ll find a few hacks here that will make life easier!

1. Grate Cold Butter

I haven’t tried this little trick just yet, but I love the idea! Your stick of butter has to be close to frozen for it to work, and you must work fast to keep it from melting, but the grated butter is perfect for adding to flour before baking biscuits, scones, muffins, etc.. It also makes the butter melt much faster, so if your butter is too cold to spread, consider grating it first and then topping toast, veggies, or a baked potato!

2. Egg Freshness Test

I eat too many eggs for them to ever go bad, but this sure is good to know. I got so excited when I saw this, I dug into my fridge to test it for myself. My eggs seemed to be 4-6 days old — good enough! You’re probably wondering how this works, and yes, there is some science behind it. Eggshells are porous, allowing air to slowly get in over time. As more air enters the egg, it gets lighter and lighter, which explains why it will eventually float.

3. Freeze Ice Pops The Smart Way

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always called these things Otter Pops! I grew up with a freezer full of them in the summer. I especially loved the jumbo ones I could get from the ice cream truck that circled my neighborhood. Our scissors were always sticky with melted popsicle syrup. Too bad I didn’t think of this then!