Cooking and baking are not only delicious but also a creative way to express yourself in the kitchen. However, we all encounter moments when we're missing an ingredient or need to save time.
That's where kitchen hacks come in handy! These clever kitchen tricks and substitutions can help you navigate any culinary challenge. So, whether you're an experienced home cook or just starting your culinary journey, these top 20 kitchen hacks will elevate your cooking and baking game.
Kitchen Tricks and Substitutions
Time-Saving Techniques
Pre-chop and freeze herbs in ice cube trays for quick seasoning.
Use a slow cooker or Instant Pot to prepare meals while you're away.
Pre-measure dry ingredients in advance for quick and easy assembly.
Freeze cookie dough in individual portions for fresh-baked cookies anytime.
Make a big batch of homemade stock and freeze it in ice cube trays for convenient portioning.
Ingredient Preparation
Microwave citrus fruits for a few seconds to extract more juice.
Soak onions in cold water before chopping to reduce tears.
Place tomatoes in boiling water for a few seconds, then transfer to an ice bath for effortless peeling.
Grate cold butter for effortless mixing into dough or batters.
Freeze ginger and grate it while frozen for easy incorporation into recipes.
Oven Usage Tips
Place a baking stone or a pizza stone in the oven for consistent heat distribution.
Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate temperature readings.
Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
Place a bowl of water in the oven while baking to keep bread and pastries moist.
Keeping Baked Goods Moist
Add a slice of bread to your cookie jar to prevent your chocolate chip cookies, or any cookies really, from drying out.
Brush your cakes with simple syrup to retain moisture.
Missing Ingredients? Read On...
Making Buttermilk
Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk to make a buttermilk substitute.
When You Don't Have Eggs
Replace each egg with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce or 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water.
When You Don't Have Milk
Yogurt: Yogurt, thicker than milk, can be thinned with a little water and used as a 1:1 milk substitute. To balance its tanginess, consider adding a hint of vanilla.
Sour cream: Similar to yogurt, sour cream can be used in the same way as a milk substitute.
Heavy cream: With significantly more milk fat than regular milk, a blend of ½ cup cream and ½ cup water can replace 1 cup of milk in recipes.
Half and half: Like heavy cream, it contains more fat than milk. To substitute for 1 cup of milk, mix ½ cup half and half with ½ cup water.
Non-dairy Milks: Can work, but be aware of the flavor combination in your recipe.
Water: For recipes requiring minimal milk (about ¼ cup or less), water can suffice. To increase the fat content, experiment by adding 1 tablespoon of melted butter per 1 cup of water, but proceed cautiously!
When You Don't Have Butter
When baking, use 3/4 cup vegetable oil for every cup of butter. Alternatively, mashed avocado, coconut oil, or Greek yogurt can work too.Â
Usually, you can swap butter with applesauce at a 1:1 ratio in recipes (if it asks for 1 cup of butter, use 1 cup of applesauce). Yet, it's wise to gauge it too: Your measurements might remain the same, but monitor the consistency of your batter or dough—adjust more or less applesauce based on its texture.
Others
Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier twist.
Coat the measuring instruments lightly with oil before scooping honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, or molasses. This will allow the stickier ingredients to slide right out.
Room-temperature eggs keep your batter more even and make for a fluffier texture.
Use 1/2 a mashed banana instead of an egg and 3/4 cup of Greek yogurt per cup of oil as directed on the box to make a lighter cake.
These kitchen hacks are a game-changer for home cooks, providing flexible solutions for various situations in the kitchen. Remember, cooking and baking are all about experimentation and finding what works best for you. So, don't be afraid to try these hacks and adapt them to your taste and preferences.
Happy cooking and baking! Enjoy the journey of culinary creativity with these handy kitchen hacks.
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