Cooking is an art form. It’s a way to show your loved ones that you care, and it’s a skill that can come in handy in moments of need. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to attend culinary school. If you’re like me, and you wish you learned some of these hacks while studying to become a chef, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. In this blog post we will discuss seven incredible cooking hacks to make your life easier in the kitchen.
How To Make A Quick And Easy Sauce Using Pantry Staples
One of the best things about cooking is that you can always make a meal without going to the grocery store. All you need are some basic pantry staples and some creativity. If you’re in a hurry and need a quick and easy sauce, here’s one recipe that you can use:
Ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Garlic cloves
- Onion flakes
- Dried basil leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic cloves, onion flakes, dried basil leaves, salt, and pepper. Cook for about two minutes or until the ingredients are fragrant. Add canned tomatoes (undrained) to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about five minutes or until sauce has thickened.
How To Roast Vegetables Without Them Becoming Soggy Or Charred
One of the biggest challenges when cooking vegetables is making sure they don’t become soggy or charred. Here’s a hack that will help you roast them perfectly every time:
Ingredients:
- Vegetables of your choice (we recommend using broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots)
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spread desired amount of vegetables onto a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper over top of vegetables. Bake in a preheated oven for 25 minutes or until vegetables are cooked to your liking.
How To Hard Boil Eggs Perfectly Every Time
Hard-boiled eggs can be a nutritious snack or addition to any meal. Here’s how to make them perfectly every time:
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Water
- Salt
Instructions:
Place eggs into a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, immediately remove from heat and let eggs sit in hot water for 12 minutes. Remove eggs from hot water and place them into a bowl of ice water. Let eggs sit in ice water for about five minutes or until cooled. Peel eggs and enjoy!
The Best Way To Store Fresh Herbs So They Last Longer
One of the best things about cooking is using fresh herbs. However, if you’re not careful, they can go bad quickly. Here’s a hack that will help you store them, so they last longer:
Ingredients:
- Fresh herbs of your choice
- Water
Instructions:
Trim the ends of fresh herbs and place them into a Mason jar. Fill the Mason jar with water, leaving about an inch of headspace. Place the lid on the Mason jar and give it a good shake. Store in the refrigerator and use within two days.
How To Prevent Milk From Boiling Over While Cooking
One of the most frustrating things that can happen while cooking is when milk boils over. Here’s a hack that will help prevent that from happening:
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Pan
Instructions:
Place a saucepan over medium heat and add milk to the pan. Bring milk to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about five minutes or until desired consistency is reached. Remove from heat and serve. Enjoy!
How To Fix A Botched Dish
Even the best cooks sometimes make mistakes. If you’ve ever messed up a dish, don’t worry. Here’s how to fix it:
Ingredients:
- Ingredients of botched dish
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Garlic cloves
- Onion flakes
- Dried basil leaves
- Canned tomatoes (undrained)
Instructions:
Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic cloves, onion flakes, dried basil leaves, salt, and pepper. Cook for about two minutes or until the ingredients are fragrant. Add canned tomatoes (undrained) to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about five minutes or until sauce has thickened. Enjoy your delicious dish.
How To Make A Roux Without Burning It
A roux is a mixture of flour and fat used to thicken sauces and soups. Here’s how to make it without burning it:
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Water
Instructions:
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and salt, and pepper to taste. Cook for about two minutes or until the ingredients are fragrant. Slowly add water to the mixture, whisking continually. Bring to a boil and cook for about five minutes or until desired consistency is reached. Enjoy!
If you’re looking for some shortcuts in the kitchen or just want to be able to amaze your friends and family with your culinary skills, try out these seven cooking hacks. They may not make you a Michelin-starred chef overnight, but they’ll help you become a more confident cook.
Culinary school may be the traditional route to learning how to cook like a pro, but it’s not the only way. With some creativity and some of these cooking hacks, you can become a master in your kitchen.
