10 Kitchen Hacks Every Cook Should Master

Many home cooks love experimenting with recipes, combining ingredients in new ways, or improvising with bold flavor combinations. At the same time, they’re looking to save money and searching for ways to cook foods more quickly and easily. Kitchen hacks are a great way to pull off both of these feats. 

While kitchen hacks seem basic and almost obvious, they’re crucial for any home chef. Whether you love to cook or are just a beginner, kitchen hacks will make your life much easier. And if you want to level up your cooking game, there’s no better way than with a few extra pointers from the internet. Here are 10 kitchen tips every cook should master.

1. Peel garlic in seconds

If you’re a garlic lover, we have some good news. A simple kitchen hack can save you time and effort when peeling garlic cloves. Peeling garlic is something that many of us do regularly. It’s not one of life’s most enjoyable tasks, but it has to be done if you want to get your hands on the tasty, nutritious cloves inside.

The problem with peeling garlic is that there are so many different ways to do it — none of them are particularly quick or efficient. The most common methods involve using a knife and chopping board or using your hands to crush each clove individually before removing its skin with a knife or your teeth.

Garlic is one of the oldest known spices. The ancient Egyptians used it for embalming, and the Chinese have used it for thousands of years as an antibiotic and a powerful weapon against colds and infections. Garlic is also very healthy for you. It has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, prevent cancer and heart disease, boost memory and circulation, and even boost the immune system.

Garlic has a pungent odor when raw but loses this aroma when cooked. It can be used in many ways, including seasoning food before cooking or added as a flavoring after cooking. Garlic also works well with other herbs, such as parsley or thyme.

Peeling garlic is not easy unless you know how to do it properly. Here are some simple steps on peeling garlic in seconds:

1. Place the garlic clove on a cutting board and place the side of your hand over the clove, applying pressure with your palm.
2. Using the tips of your fingers, gently press down on the garlic clove until it cracks open. If it doesn’t crack open easily, try again with more pressure on the back of your hand.
3. Remove your hand from the garlic clove and pick it up with a fork or spoon. Now you can easily remove all the papery skin from inside without getting any of it stuck between your fingers (or worse).

2. Turn leftovers into lunch tomorrow

Leftovers are a great way to use up the food in your fridge and save money. You can eat them for lunch or dinner, or even pack them for a picnic. Here are some tips for getting the most out of leftovers:

1. Put some plastic wrap over your leftover food and stick it in the fridge overnight (or until morning). This helps seal the flavors and prevents bacteria from growing on top of your food.

2. Before leaving for work, pack your leftovers in a container or plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator until morning (if possible). If not, put them in a cooler, so they don’t get too warm during your commute home.

3. When you get home from work, reheat your leftovers by popping them into the microwave for a minute or two or putting them into a pan over medium heat on the stovetop until they’re heated through again — just like when they were still fresh out of the oven!

Plan ahead. When planning meals, ensure that there are enough leftovers to feed you later.

Use a microwave or a toaster oven. For convenience, you may want to reheat leftovers in the microwave or toaster oven rather than using a more significant appliance like an oven or stovetop.

Make extra food. The easiest way to ensure you have enough food is to create different dishes when preparing dinner. This can save time because you don’t have to cook another meal after work or after getting home from shopping at the market.

If you’re planning to make dinner tonight, you might as well make enough for tomorrow’s lunch. A few leftovers can be turned into a satisfying and healthful lunchtime meal. Here are a few ideas:

Pasta salad: Boil pasta, cool it, and toss it with olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Toss with vegetables (leftover roasted cauliflower is excellent), cherry tomatoes, and herbs — basil is good here.

Cobb salad: Chop leftover cooked chicken, bacon, or other meat; add hard-boiled eggs and avocado slices; top with blue cheese dressing; pile on greens; sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese.

Tuna salad: Combine tuna, mayo, onion, or pickles in a bowl; toss with lettuce leaves (and maybe some celery).

3. Make a fun snack combo

A healthy snack does not need to be boring. If you are trying to lose weight or are on a diet, you may want to switch things up and make healthy snacks. Making food has many benefits, such as saving money, reducing waste, and increasing your health. 

Mixing and matching different foods is one way to make eating well more fun. You can mix up your creative combos or buy pre-packaged mixes that are already put together for you. You can even make it fun! Some snack combos are easy to make and will help you get your daily dose of protein.

1. Almonds and peanut butter

This is a classic combo that never gets old. Just be sure to choose natural peanut butter (no added sugar) to avoid extra calories.

2. Greek yogurt with berries

Yogurt can be a great source of protein, but it’s essential to pick a low-sugar and fat brand so you don’t consume too many calories for your snack. Add some fresh blueberries or strawberries for an antioxidant boost!

3. Apple slices with peanut butter

Apples are an excellent source of fiber, which helps keep you feeling full longer than other fruits and vegetables do on their own. A bit of peanut butter will add extra protein to this simple snack without adding many calories or fat grams.

4. Chips and guacamole

This is a classic snack combo that never goes out of style. Whether you’re serving chips with homemade or store-bought guacamole, it’s sure to please your guests.

5. Nuts and dried fruit

Nuts are a great source of protein but can also be high in calories and fat. Pairing them with dried fruits is a simple way to cut down on calories and still get all the taste you love from nuts.

6. Veggie tray with hummus

Hummus is an excellent source of fiber and protein, so it’s no wonder many people enjoy it as a healthy spread for bread and crackers. But it also makes an excellent dip for raw vegetables or pretzels! Serve it alongside your favorite assortment of veggies (baby carrots, celery sticks, broccoli florets) for an easy appetizer everyone will love.

7. Crackers and spreads

Crackers are another great source of protein since they’re made from flour, which contains gluten, similar to animal products like meat or eggs. They also work well with spreads because spreads have been pasteurized, which means most of the bacteria have been killed off already (unlike raw vegetables, which may still contain some bacteria).

8. Fruit and cheese

Cheese is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. It also has a high satiety value, meaning it’s hard to overeat cheese because it fills you up quickly. Pairing it with fruit makes it a great combination because it provides essential vitamins and minerals.

4. Breathe easy with this cheesy hack

If you’re a cheese fan, you’ve probably heard the phrase “breathe easy.” But did you know that cheesy foods can help improve your breathing?

Cheese is one of the richest sources of probiotics, which are friendly bacteria in our gut. These little guys help keep our digestive system healthy by breaking down foods and absorbing nutrients. And when it comes to asthma, a healthy digestive system can go a long way toward relieving symptoms.

Cheese is also associated with better breathing because it contains vitamin D — an essential nutrient for good lung health. According to research published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, people with asthma who were deficient in vitamin D had more severe symptoms than those who weren’t deficient in it.

If you have asthma and want to try eating more cheese to improve your symptoms, start slowly by adding just one slice per week and see how it goes. If you notice any changes within two weeks — whether or not — then go ahead and continue adding slices until you reach your goal number of servings per day (most experts recommend three servings daily).

Cheese is one of the best foods in the world, but it can also be a pain to work with. Here are some quick tricks for making the most of your favorite cheeses:

1. Keep cheese cold. Don’t just leave it on the countertop — that’s where it will dry out and turn rubbery. Instead, stick it in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to use it.

2. Freeze cheese for grating. Put shredded or crumbled cheese in a resealable plastic bag, seal tightly and freeze for up to three months. When ready to use it, take out what you need and let it thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before grating or crumbling into your recipe.

3. Keep sliced cheese from sticking together by spraying between layers with cooking spray or oil from a pump spray bottle (or vegetable oil). You can also add a little water or wine to help separate slices — just be careful not to overdo it!

4. Use cooked pasta sauce as the base for a quick pizza sauce by sauteing the diced onion in olive oil until transparent, then adding canned tomato paste until dissolved into a liquid.

5. Keep cheese away from direct sunlight and heat sources, like ovens and microwaves, because these will cause it to oxidize and lose flavor over time.

6. Store cheese at room temperature to keep its flavor intact as long as possible; refrigeration will only slow down this process — not stop it completely.

7. If you must refrigerate your cheese (or if you live in a very hot climate), ensure it’s wrapped tightly in waxed paper or parchment paper so no air gets into the package, which can lead to moldy rinds and funky flavors over time.

5. Fix a broken sauce in seconds

When making a sauce and something goes wrong, it’s easy to panic. But don’t worry — there’s a quick fix for almost any sauce disaster.

Here are some typical sauces that need fixing and how to fix them:

The broth has turned bitter: Add salt and sugar in equal amounts to bring back the flavor. If it’s just a little bitter, add one teaspoon of sugar or salt per cup of broth; if it’s very bitter, add two teaspoons per cup.

The broth has become too salty:

1. Add water until you reach the desired consistency.
2. Add sugar or honey in equal amounts to balance out the saltiness.
3. Use 1 teaspoon sugar or honey per cup of broth if it’s just slightly salty; 2 teaspoons if it tastes like seawater.

The sauce has separated or curdled: Gently stir in an ice cube until the mixture is cool enough to return to its original consistency (this works best for cream-based sauces). For curdled egg yolks, gently whisk in warm water until smooth again (this works best for egg-based hollandaise sauces).

A broken sauce is one of the worst things to happen to a meal. It’s messy, it’s wasteful, and it’s frustrating. But there’s no need to toss out those broken sauces or live with them forever. There are plenty of ways to fix broken sauces — from simple tricks that use items you probably have in your kitchen right now to long-term solutions that will keep you from ever having another broken sauce again. If your sauce has gone wrong, don’t toss it out! Instead, save the sauce by fixing it in seconds.

Here are a few ways to fix a broken sauce:

1) Add cream cheese – If your gooey cheese sauce has separated, add some cream cheese to bring it back together. The cream cheese will also add flavor and richness.

2) Add an egg yolk – Egg yolks are a great way to re-emulsify liquids that have separated or curdled. Simply add the yolk to your broken sauce and whisk vigorously until it returns to its previous consistency.

3) Make a roux – For sauces that are too thin or runny, try making a roux from butter and flour (or cornstarch). Whisking together equal parts butter and flour in a pan over medium heat will create a thick paste that will thicken up any liquid by absorbing extra moisture from your broken sauce.

6. Keep producing fresh longer

If you love fresh produce, you’ve struggled with keeping it fresh longer. In this article, we’ll show you how to keep produce fresh longer so you can enjoy it for up to three times longer than usual. When shopping for produce, there are a few simple things to keep in mind that will help keep the fresh food longer.

1. Store fruits and vegetables separately

The reason for this is simple — most fruits emit ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process in nearby produce. Separating fruits and vegetables can help prevent this from happening too quickly.

2. Don’t wash until ready to eat or cook

Washing fruit and vegetables before storing them in the refrigerator can remove essential nutrients, mainly if you use soap or detergent instead of water. Washing also makes it easier for bacteria and mold to grow once they’ve been washed off the surface of your produce.

3. Keep produce away from heat sources

Heat causes water to evaporate, making produce lose moisture and become limp. When storing fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator, keep them away from heat sources such as hot vents or lights.

4. Choose the right kind of bag

If you can’t get your produce home without wilting, you might as well not buy it at all. The best way to keep fruit and vegetables from spoiling on the way home is to choose a bag that allows airflow but keeps out moisture and sunlight. Plastic bags aren’t ideal because they trap moisture, which can cause produce to rot quickly.

 Instead, opt for paper or mesh bags that allow air circulation but protect from dirt and insects. Keep an eye on price tags, so you know what size bag will fit into your trunk or back seat without being too big or small.

5. Buy the right amount

Most grocery stores sell in bulk. If you buy too much, you’ll throw away fresh produce when it goes bad before you can eat it all.

6. Check the sell-by date

All fruits and vegetables have a shelf life, so make sure you buy from stores that rotate their inventory frequently. Also, look for produce that has been recently harvested (rather than sitting in storage for weeks).

7. Use your freezer to make life easier

You can make your life easier by using your freezer. When cooking, remember that you can freeze any leftovers for future meals. Instead of making a meal for yourself and throwing away the rest, why not cook double and save the rest for another day?

You can also use your freezer to store other things like flour or sugar. You may be able to find some great deals at the grocery store on these items, and if you have space in your freezer, buy them in bulk and store them there until you need them. This will help keep your pantry organized as well as save money on items that are on sale.

Another great way to use your freezer is to store meats when they go on sale at the grocery store. If there is something that you know will operate within a couple of months, then go ahead and purchase it when it is on sale so that when you want or need it, later on, it will already be in storage and ready to use!

You can use your freezer to make life easier. Here are a few of our favorite uses:

Make ice cubes in bulk. When you’re having company over or hosting a party, make extra ice cubes and store them in the freezer for last-minute entertaining.

Keep herbs fresh. If you grow herbs, keep them fresh by chopping them and freezing them in ice cube trays. Then pop out individual cubes and store them in labeled plastic bags. You can then use the herbs in soups or sauces as needed.

Freeze food scraps for composting. Make composting easy by freezing scraps like vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds until you have enough to fill a plastic bag (or two). Then store it until you’re ready to add it to your compost bin or pile. Make extra guacamole or pesto ahead of time, so you don’t have to stress out on the day of an event!

8. Create an ice cream sundae bar

Ice cream is a favorite dessert for most people. It’s also one of the most versatile desserts, which means it can be used to create unique and fun party ideas. One way to make ice cream the star of any event is by creating an ice cream sundae bar. 

This allows guests to choose their toppings and mix-ins and make delicious sundaes. There’s nothing like a cool, creamy ice cream sundae when it’s hot outside. But if you want to go beyond the basic vanilla and chocolate, an ice cream sundae bar is the way to do it.

A DIY ice cream sundae bar is super easy and fun, and guests can customize their desserts. Here’s how to set up an ice cream sundae bar that will have all your guests licking their lips:

Choose Your Desserts. You’ll need a variety of flavors of ice cream, whipped cream, and sauces for toppings — think chocolate syrup and caramel sauce for a sweet treat or peanuts, sprinkles, and nuts for something more salty and crunchy. If you’re feeling adventurous, try out some new flavors from our list of most popular in America 2019.

Gather Your Tools. You’ll need bowls or cups for serving the desserts and spoons or scoops for scooping out your favorite flavors. If you want to get fancy, consider adding mason jars with straws so guests can enjoy their desserts on the go!

A party can’t be complete without the perfect ice cream sundae bar. With a few simple ingredients and some essential equipment, you can make your own homemade ice cream sundae bar to serve at your next event.

Ice cream sundae bar recipe

Simply follow these instructions:

1. Mix 1 cup of half-and-half, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 3 egg yolks in a small saucepan until well combined. Place over medium heat and cook, constantly stirring, until it thickens slightly (about 8 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, beat together 6 egg whites and 1/4 teaspoon salt until soft peaks form (about 5 minutes). Slowly add 1/2 cup sugar while beating eggs until stiff peaks form (about 2 minutes). Fold in cooled custard mixture into egg whites using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until fully incorporated.

3. Prepare graham cracker crusts by lining the bottom of each glass with crushed graham crackers (crushed into fine pieces). Then spoon in custard mixture into glasses until they are almost full (leaving room for whipped cream).

9. Use a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking

Bake with a silicone baking mat. Silicone mats are great for baking because they prevent food from sticking to the pan and help food release quickly. You can also use them in place of parchment paper.

The best part is that silicone mats are reusable, so you don’t have to spend money on them every time you cook. Make sure your cookies are baked all the way through before eating them. Cookies should be firm when done; if they’re soft or squishy, they’re not done yet! If this happens to you, just pop them back in the oven for a few more minutes until they’re cooked through and golden brown on top.

The bottoms tend to get brown and crunchy when you bake cookies, while the tops remain soft. This problem is easily solved with a silicone baking mat. The silicone mat comes in two pieces and fits together like a puzzle. It’s also flexible, so you can easily use it on various pans. The mat measures 17 by 11 inches and comes in blue or purple.

To use it, simply place the silicone mat on top of your cookie sheet or another pan before you start baking. Cookies will slide off easily after they’re done cooking, but there will be no sticking to the mat. The silicone mats are also helpful for other kitchen tasks, such as rolling dough or working with sticky ingredients such as peanut butter or honey. You can also use them to line baking trays, so they don’t get stained by sauces or marinades dripping down onto them during cooking.

Here are three ways you can use silicone baking mats outside of the kitchen:

1. Use it as a trivet. Trays and other hot objects can be placed on silicone baking mats without fear of burning your table or countertop. The heat will be distributed evenly across the surface, so there’s less risk of melting or burning anything underneath it.

2. Use it as a plate protector. The material is non-porous, meaning nothing sticks to it, which makes it great for serving food at parties where guests may spill drinks or drop food on their plates. You can also use them as serving trays when transporting food from one place to another without worrying about spills or accidents along the way.

3. Use it as a pot holder while cooking on stove tops or in ovens (as long as they don’t get too hot). The material is heat-resistant up to 464 degrees Fahrenheit (240 degrees Celsius).

10. Use a bamboo steamer insert to steam veggies and other foods without a mess

Steaming is a healthy way to cook vegetables, but it’s also a very messy process if you don’t have the right tools. A bamboo steamer insert, however, can make steaming much easier.

The design of the bamboo steamer insert is simple: It’s a round piece of wood with holes in it, allowing steam to pass through and cook food placed on top of it. The holes in the bamboo insert are much smaller than those in metal steamers, so you get less exposure to moisture and steam while cooking.

When using a bamboo steamer insert, you’ll need an oven-safe pan or plate that fits inside the insert. You can then place your veggie or meat choice on top of this plate and let it sit at room temperature until it’s ready to go into the oven or microwave for cooking time.

Using a bamboo steamer isn’t just better for your health and makes things much easier when preparing meals!

The problem is that many people have never used a bamboo steamer before, so they don’t know where to start. Here are some tips for using a bamboo steamer insert:

1. Place your food into the basket, then fill the bottom section with water until it reaches just below the top edge of the basket. The water should not touch your food at any point during cooking.
2. Cover the top section with another piece of parchment paper (or cut out an additional piece) and seal it tightly with aluminum foil around all four sides (or use an elastic band). This will help keep moisture inside, so your food doesn’t dry out too much during cooking.
3. Set your bamboo steamer over high heat on a pot filled with boiling water (don’t let any water seep into your bamboo steamer insert). Turn down the heat once everything starts bubbling, and remove from heat once it stops boiling completely (you’ll see steam coming out from under your lid).

Where can you buy Kitchen Equipment in Singapore?

Continental Equipment is a leading supplier of commercial kitchen equipment, food preparation equipment, and restaurant supplies in Singapore. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service, competitive prices, and high-quality products.

Our range includes refrigerators, freezers, ice machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, cutlery trays and racks, coffee makers, coffee grinders, and other accessories.

We also supply commercial sinks, hoses, taps, food preparation counters, and tables.