We may never be the next Iron Chef, but that doesn't mean we can't make meals at home that are both easy and delicious.
It just takes a bit of practice — and some smart hacks — for anyone to become a master in their own kitchen.
1. When microwaving leftovers, cover the dish with a wet napkin.
Microwaves work by causing the moisture molecules in the food to vibrate and the friction creates heat. A wet napkin can add the extra moisture needed for reheating your meal evenly.
Safety note: Dry paper towel or napkins can sometimes ignite in the microwave, so ensure it is thoroughly wet before using.
2. Freeze fresh herbs in ice cube trays with a bit of oil.
You always have to buy more herbs in a bunch than you need for a single recipe. Prevent waste by chopping up the leftovers and freezing them in oil for use later.
3. Cut cooking time and wasted water by cooking pasta in a frying pan.
Skip the big pot and put your pasta in a frying pan with just enough cold water to cover. The small amount of starchy water leftover is perfect for a sauce.
4. If you do need to get a pot boiling, keep the lid on.
The whole time you're heating the water from the bottom, some of that heat is escaping from the top. To prevent that and speed up the boiling, cover the pot with a lid.
5. Know when your pan is properly preheated with a few drops of water.
You can tell a frying pan is ready for some oil when drops of water dance across the surface.
6. Use a wet finger to retrieve those stubborn bits of egg shell.
For large shards, it's easy to scoop them out with the remaining shell, but smaller shards can be tricky. Wetting your finger beforehand can help you nab that shell before it runs away.
7. Peel lots of garlic quickly by shaking it inside two bowls.
The cloves will bang against each other and the bowl, knocking the skins free. Don't be shy. The harder and faster you shake it, the better it will work.
8. Sharpen your knives regularly for safer, easier prep work.
Yes, safer. A sharp knife will easily cut through even the toughest veggies, meaning you risk fewer fingers because you don't have to put as much force into your slicing.
9. Invest in a good instant-read thermometer.
There are lots of "hacks" for knowing when your food is done, but nothing is faster or more accurate than simply taking the temperature.
10. Always double your recipe for rice, quinoa, and other grains.
By making extra, you'll have the makings for another quick meal. Turn the leftovers into a tasty quinoa salad for lunch the next day, or make my favorite leftover rice dish: omelet rice.
11. Chop and freeze a whole bunch of onions ahead of time.
Besides limiting your weekly tears to one session every few months, this strategy is great for single folks who never use a whole onion at once. Freeze flat in a ziptop bag.
12. Take it up a level by caramelizing a ton of onions before freezing them.
Then you can add that tasty goodness to all sorts of meals without the extra work of cooking the onions down every time.
13. Freeze your leftover bacon fat to add a ton of flavor to other dishes.
We all know that we shouldn't be dumping fats down the sink anyway, so keep a jar in your freezer in order to add to it whenever you fry up some bacon. Then roast everything you can think of in it.
14. Cut down on food waste while guaranteeing yourself awesome stock and broth.
Carrot ends, squash skins, and any other vegetable scrap can be frozen. Once you've got a ton, make a rich vegetable stock out of them.
Also great in stock: cheese rinds.
15. Don't forget to deglaze the pan for optimal flavor!
You know the dark brown bits that stick to the pan when you sear meat? Don't resign yourself to scrubbing it away. Instead, add a bit of water or wine to the pan and scrape those bits off to create the base for an amazing sauce.
16. Most importantly: Read the recipe all the way through before starting!
It doesn't matter how many tricks or hacks you employ if you mess up following the recipe. Read it all the way through so you won't be surprised when your 30-minute dinner has a 2-hour rest period halfway through.
Got any other tips for making your meals taste better while also saving time? Tell us about them in the COMMENTSand SHAREthese tips with all your friends!
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