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One Man’s AMAZING Answer to, “What is your best kitchen advice?”

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Guys cooking in a busy kitchen

Some of my regular followers might now I’m huge fan of question and answer website Quora. So I’ve decided from time to time I’ll share the more interesting answers I stumble across on this blog. To start off this new tradition, I’ve got an answer by Rick Dang, who has compiled an outstanding list of 56 useful kitchen hacks.

While you’re checking out all these wonderful ideas, you can also subscribe to receive my NEW monthly newsletter, which includes updates on me and a rundown of posts that appear on this site! 

1. Oil up your eggs.

Source: blue_velcro
Rub egg shells with vegetable oil before refrigerating. The oil will keep the eggs fresh for an additional three to four weeks.

2. Spoon your ginger.

Source: chicaandjo.com
Even the lumpy bumps of a ginger root are easy to peel with a spoon, and you’ll be left with a beautiful piece of peeled ginger and almost zero waste.

3. Have your cake and a slice of bread too.

Source: createdby-diane.com
After cutting into a cake, use toothpicks to cover the exposed portion with piece of bread. The bread will get hard and stale, but the cake will stay nice and soft.

4. Poke your lemons.

Source: calliope
For recipes that just require a bit of lemon juice, puncture the rind with a toothpick and gently squeeze out what you need. Then cover the hole with a piece of tape and store the still-fresh lemon in the fridge for later use.

5. Reuse cheese wrappers for storage.

Source: jenandjoeygogreen.com
Cut the chunk you want right through the package. Remove delicious cheese. Slide now-empty end back over the remaining cheese. Vanquish dried-out cheese ends forever!

6. Add oil, vinegar, herbs and spices to the dregs of a mayo jar and shake.

Source: manitobacouponmaven.com
You’ll get instant creamy salad dressing and the jar will be clean so you can recycle it.

7. Bathe fresh berries in vinegar water to prevent insta-mold (also helps remove pesticide residue).

Source: food52.com

8. Hide garlic and onions in holey paper bags.

Source: theyummylife.com
They’ll stay fresh for at least two months without molding.

9. Store cut avocado with cut onion.

Source: thekitchn.com
Sulfur from the onion keeps the brown away. A light sprinkle of apple cider vinegar also works.

10. Store apples and potatoes together

Source: mocoloco.com
Ethylene gas from apples keeps potatoes from sprouting.

11. Add warm milk to the dregs of a Nutella jar and shake.

Source: yumsugar.com
Instant hot chocolate! Try with melty marshmallows for an easy ice cream topping.

12. Easy way to peel a mango

Source: foodpostink.com
Avoid sticky fingers and leave no mango behind.

Or to cut one

Via Pinterest

13. Store pineapple upside down.

Source: yumsugar.com
Speeds ripening process by forcing sugars to flow to the top. Just be sure to pluck top leaves first.

14. Wrap celery in foil.

Source: jillconyers.com
It’ll keep for up to a month this way. Works for broccoli too.

15. Flip natural nut butter upside down a few days before you open it.

Source: thekitchn.com
Stirring will be 100x easier and you’ll avoid that stiff bottom layer that usually gets tossed with the jar.

16. Wrap banana crowns in plastic wrap.

Source: jillconyers.com
They’ll keep for 3-5 days longer than usual.

17. Turn old milk into new cheese.

Source: chriswaits
If the expiration date is looming, don’t toss that milk down the drain! Follow this recipeto turn it into delicious cottage cheese instead.

18. Make herb butter ice cubes.

Source: seedsnow.com
Fresh herbs spoil quickly. Chop and mix with melted butter or olive oil, then pour into ice cube trays to preserve perfect portions for future meals.

19. Brown-bag your lettuce.

Lettuce will keep longer if you place it in a roomy paper bag before putting it in the fridge. Also, leave the outer leaves in place even if they’re limp or dirty: they keep the rest of the head fresh while in storage.

20. Add spent coffee grounds to potted plants.

Source: thewhitedahliablog.wordpress.com
Coffee grounds contain nutrients needed by acid-loving plants like roses, hydrangea, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and tomatoes.

21. Revive stale crackers and chips by zapping in the microwave.

Source: livestrong.com
Works in the real oven too.

22. Re-heat old pizza in a skillet.

Source: marinmamacooks.com
The oils from the crust will restore its original crispiness.

23. Use a Food Hugger to keep nubs fresh.

Source: foodhuggers.com
Those last bits are perfect for omelets and smoothies.

24. Turn flat soda into pop-sicles.

Source: claire69
Pour flat soda into ice cube trays or popsicle molds for a sweet, frozen treat.

25. Regrow food from scraps and stumps.

Source: thetoddanderinfavoritefive.com
There are over 20 veggies, herbs, and even a few fruits that will re-spawn themselves!

26. Use a Mason Jar and a Salt Lid for an Easy-to-Use Container for Coffee or Sugar

Via 20 Of The Best Mason Jar Projects (with pictures)

27. Know Your Wine and Cheese Pairings

Via loveletterstohome.com

28. Use a Thumb Tac for the Perfect Boiled Egg

Via windyssukiyaki.com

29. Freeze Cool Whip in Cookie Cutters for a Unique Addition to Your Beverage

Via thesweetestoccasion.com

30. Keep Your Brown Sugar from Clumping with Marshmellows

Via amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com

31. Tortillas + The Oven Rack = Great Taco Shells

Via eatingwell.com

32. The Anatomy of a Cheese Plate

Via everydayfoodblog.marthastewart.com

33. Use an Apple Slicer to Quickly Cut Potatoes

Via goodenessgracious.com

34. How to Perfectly Cut a Watermelon

Via itswrittenonthewalls.blogspot.com

35. Grain to Water Ratios

Via blog.goodeggs.com

36. Grill Your Fish on a Bed of Lemons

Via themotherhuddle.com
It will infuse the flavor and prevent your fish from sticking.

37. Freeze Lemon Slices in a Cupcake Pan for Large Ice Cubes Meant for Pitchers

Via industriousjustice.com

38. Boiled Water = Clear Cubes

Via instructables.com

39. Use Your Waffle Iron to Make Perfect Hash Browns Every Time

Via d3go1nrr5l7vi0.cloudfront.net

40. Use a Chop Stick and Rubber Bands for a Heart Shaped Egg

Via Flickr: annathered

41. Use Your Oven to Quickly Ripen Bananas

http://foxeslovelemons.com/how-to-use-your-oven-to-ripen-bananas/

42. You Can Also Use Your Oven for Dried Fruit

Via sparkpeople.com

43. Shake Your Egg Violently for 2-3 Minutes, then Boil for a Golden Egg

Via WWW.UUSTUUS.EE

44. Out of Chips? Use a Tortilla.

Via cindyriddle.blogspot.com

45. Cake Size and How Many People They Can Serve

Via auntaudreyscakes.com

46. Baking Cups are Perfect for Keeping the Bugs out of Drinks

Via i.imgur.com

47. How to Keep Your Tacos Standing When You Broil the Cheese

Via Imgur

48. You Can Also Use the Waffle Iron for Eggs

Via pinterest.com

49. The Waffle Iron Also Works for Cinnabons

Via pillsbury.com

50. Tic Tac Containers Make the Perfect Spice Storage

Via thekitchn.com

51. Use Frozen Sponges for Cheap Lunchbox Ice Packs

Via mykitchenescapades.com

52. Put Ice Cream in a Zip Lock Bag to Keep It Soft

Via fullpunch.com

53. Know Your Knives and How to Use Them

Via visual.ly

54. Cut Your Ranch in Half So You Don’t Waste a Drop

Via Imgur

55. The Easiest Way to Cut Small Food Items

Via i.minus.com

56. Know the Tastes of Different Wines

Via bell’alimento authentic Italian cuisine

Source: Distractify.com and Buzzfeed.com


 

Hope you enjoyed today’s links. I love reading and responding to everyone’s comments, so feel free to leave a comment of your own.

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Main Image Credit:Matthias Ripp
What is your best kitchen advice?

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