Kitchen Tips & Tricks

Spending a lot of time in the kitchen lately? Well, we’re here to make your kitchen time a whole lot easier by gathering some tips and tricks for you to try. Whether you’re a beginner or a master chef, these kitchen hacks will not only help you save time, but also get the most out of your food and products! 

Clean Fruit and Veggies

It’s important to clean all your produce before using to remove dirt and pesticides. Just scrub your produce with a mix of baking soda and water and you’re all set! 

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Keep Cookies Soft

Did you (or were you planning to) make cookies from our National Chocolate Chip Day recipes? Well, to keep cookies and other baked goods soft, just add a slice of store-bought white bread to an airtight container! They’ll stay soft just as if they were freshly baked! 

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Re-purpose Your Pizza Cutter

Did you know that a pizza cutter can be used to cut things other than just pizza? That’s right! Use your pizza cutter to cut all kinds of herbs – just bunch them up and wheel back and forth! Talk about a time-saver.

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Cook Fish in Parchment Paper

Ditch the aluminum foil and cook fish in parchment paper instead! This is not only a healthier alternative, but as you bake it in the paper, the fish becomes infused with all the ingredients added in.

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Get More Lemon Juice

Want more juice out of your lemons? Microwave a lemon for 7-10 seconds then roll it back and forth under your palm. You can try it with limes as well! 

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Cut Perfect Cake Slices

Ever wondered how cake (or cheesecake) slices look so perfect when plated? Just dip the blade of your sharp knife in hot water, wipe with a dry towel, and cut the perfect slice! Repeat every time you cut a slice. 

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Soften Butter Faster

Need soften butter for your recipe and accidentally forgot to take it out? It happens to the best of us! Just cut the butter into cubes and let it sit for 20 minutes. Cutting it into smaller pieces will soften it faster than the whole stick. 

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Give Your Wooden Spoons a Makeover

If your wooden spoons are looking dull and old, just boil them in a pot of water and leave them out in the sun to dry.

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Clean the Microwave

Have caked on food stuck to the microwave? Just soak a sponge in water, put it in the microwave and turn on the microwave for 1 minute. This will not only loosen all the gunk inside the microwave but also helps disinfect the sponge too! 

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Measuring Sticky Substances

Coat a measuring spoon or cup with hot water or a little cooking oil (or spray) before measuring sticky substances such as honey. This will help the sticky substance slide right off without leaving anything behind! 

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Opening Jars That are Hard to Open 

We’ve all come across those jars that simply won’t open! Stop blaming it on lack of strength and simply wrap the lid with a rubber band to provide extra traction. If it still doesn’t open, cover the rubber band with a dishtowel and try again! 

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De-skin Potatoes

Ditch the peeler and peel a potato by simply boiling it and giving it an ice bath after. The skin will separate making it easier to peel right off. 

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Plastic Wrap Hack

Tired of using plastic wrap and it clinging to everything BUT the dish? Just store the roll in the freezer beforehand! This makes it much easier to transport the roll to the dish! 

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Speed Up Ripening

​Tired of waiting for your green bananas or avocados to ripen? Speed up the ripening process by tossing your fruit into a paper bag. When fruit is tossed in a paper bag, the concentrated ethylene gas helps it ripen faster. 

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Extend the Life of Your Bananas

It’s so frustrating when bananas brown quickly! Slow the process by simply pulling your bananas apart into single-bananas and covering each stem in plastic wrap or foil! The wrap helps contain the ethylene gas to the stem end of the fruit. 

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Egg Expiration

Don’t swear by expiration dates? If so, a great way to check if your eggs have truly expired is by placing an egg in a glass of water. The good eggs will sink, and the bad eggs will float. 

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Clean Your Kitchenware

Use rubbing alcohol to clean stainless steel and ketchup to polish copper. Yes, we said ketchup! 

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Use Your Waffle Maker for Just About Everything

Did you know a waffle maker is great for just about anything! Try hash browns, scrambled eggs, brownies, cornbread, cinnamon rolls – you name it! Super easy and convenient. 

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Make Stale Bread Fresh and Crunchy

Bring stale bread back to life by running it through some water (or wrapping it in a damp towel) and put it in the oven for 5-10 minutes! 

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Grab Shell Pieces with Egg Shells

Cracked an egg and dropped some shell pieces? We know the frustration! Just use a broken half eggshell to scoop up the tiny pieces. It attracts the shell shards like a magnet! 

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Now you are ready to take over the cooking world!