If you watch cooking shows these may not be anything new to you. If you don’t you just might have an a-HA moment in the kitchen like I did when I learned these simple little tips for making life easier in the kitchen.
1. Cook with garlic? Simply crush the clove gently with the flat side of your knife and the peel will easily fall away. No more picking and peeling! This was my husbands cooking a-HA moment years ago!
2. Cook with ginger? Isn’t that ginger skin a pain to peel? Use the edge of a spoon easily scrape away the skin without wasting any of the the flesh of ginger. Watch this funny video to see it in action:
I also highly recommend the microplane that is used in the video! I’ve always used a basic hand held grater but I purchased the microplane after seeing the video and I’ll never go back. Love it. It grates the ginger perfectly for getting all the wonderful juices out and leaving it a nice texture for eating. They are also perfect for making citrus zest. Break out the Holiday baking!
3. Kitchen floor a mess? We always seem to leave a trail of bits and pieces between the garbage and the counter and bits on the floor drive me batty! Now I keep an empty bowl beside the cutting board to toss my chopping scraps into. When you’re finished prepping, the contents can be dumped into your compost or garbage. Kudos to Rachel Ray for this simple tip.
Simple tips? Yes they are, but they are guaranteed to save time and frustration in the kitchen.
Do you have a kitchen tip to keep things simple and sane? Please share love in the comments below!
These are my thoughts on living a healthy and simple life. I'm a modern mom with some traditional ideas. At home, I try to clear the confusion from all the conflicting health and parenting advice with some common sense and a natural philosophy. This is the sanest way I know how to navigate the 21 century.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
The garlic-peeling is a good one. I am still thankful to the person who showed me this trick…
Since we are on the subject of garlic, I really recommend marinating pieces of chicken filet in milk and garlic for a few hours before cooking – it becomes very tender and infused with the taste of garlic. Then use some coriander seeds as a spice…
Also for parents, I think involving kids in cooking is a great way of engaging them, teaching them about what they put in their bodies, and being able to keep an eye on them while you are making dinner. I often put my baby girl (2 yr) on the counter (safely of course) or let her stand on a chair next to me and give her tasks I know she can do. E.g. mixing the salad dressing or putting pieces of fruit/veggie in a bowl. It’s a bit messier (…sometimes a lot messier) and often she munches more than she “works”, but she adores being so responsible and I love sharing this task with her.
Gyongyi
I love garlic but hate the smell of hands after preparing it. Thanks for the tip.