Who doesn't love a good kitchen shortcut? From speeding up your prep to making cleanup easier, kitchen hacks have become our go-to for solving everyday cooking challenges. But with so many tips floating around, how do you know which ones are worth trying?
That's why RCS Superstore, Inc. is here to cut through the noise! Let's dive in and see which tricks are truly game-changers!
1. Peeling Garlic in A Jar
Peeling garlic can be tedious, so this hack suggests shaking garlic in a jar to make it quicker. But does it work? Research says it’s mostly true!
Shaking a large batch loosens most skins, but you may still need to peel some stubborn cloves by hand. However, if you're working with just a few cloves, smashing them with a knife is quicker.
For the best results, use fresh and firm garlic and shake for 20 to 30 seconds!
2. Preventing a Pot from Boiling Over
We've all been there — you're cooking pasta, step away for a moment, and suddenly the pot is boiling over. But can placing a wooden spoon (or spatula) across the top stop the overflow?
Yes, it can! However, it's only temporary. The wooden instrument can break the surface bubbles because it absorbs moisture and prevents the water from spilling over, but only briefly.
Bonus:
Instead of relying on wooden spatulas, try adding a small amount of oil or butter to the water which helps reduce bubbles and minimize the chances of the pot boiling over!
3. Reviving Stale Bread with Water
Stale bread doesn't have to go to waste! This hack suggests using water while reheating it to restore its softness. However, how you approach it depends on whether you're using the microwave or oven.
- For the Microwave: Wrap the bread in a damp paper towel and microwave it on a plate for 10 to 15 seconds. The water from the towel rehydrates the bread, softening it by interacting with the starch molecules.
- For the Oven: Preheat the oven to 300°F. Lightly dampen the bread by running it briefly under the faucet (just enough to moisten the crust, not soak it). Place the bread directly on the oven rack for 5 to 10 minutes until it's soft on the inside and crisp on the outside.
Bonus:
The microwave hack also works for pizza! Cover a slice with a damp paper towel to keep the crust soft and prevent it from becoming tough when reheated.
4. Using a Straw to Hull Strawberries
Looking for a quick way to hull strawberries without fiddling with a knife? Many swear by using a straw to push through the base and cleanly remove the stem and core in one swift motion — no doubt you’ve seen it on your social media page and thought to yourself, “Does it really work?”
It does! Using a sturdy straw (like metal or reusable silicone) is a fast and easy method to hull strawberries, especially when ripe. It can make quick work of a task that would otherwise take longer with a knife.
5. Testing Egg Freshness
Wondering if your eggs are still fresh? A common tip is to place an egg in water: if it sinks, it's fresh; if it floats, it's past its prime.
Turns out it’s true! Fresh eggs sink because they have less air inside, while older eggs float because a larger air pocket forms over time. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the floating eggs are rotten—if they don't smell when cracked, they're still safe to use.
Pro Tip:
Use older eggs for hard-boiling — because of the air pocket, they're easier to peel than fresh eggs!
6. Keeping Lettuce Fresh with a Paper Towel
Nobody likes soggy lettuce. But according to this hack, storing it with a dry paper towel helps keep the leaves crisp longer by absorbing excess moisture—and it actually works!
A dry paper towel helps manage moisture, keeping lettuce fresh for up to five days. Just layer a paper towel over the washed, dried lettuce in a container or bag to absorb moisture (and remember to replace the paper towel every couple of days)
7. Save Burnt Rice with Ice Cubes
We've all been there — you're cooking rice, but it sticks and burns at the bottom of the pot. Instead of tossing the whole batch, use this clever trick: place a few ice cubes on top of the rice and cover the pot for a few minutes.
The reason why it works is because the ice creates steam, which softens the rice and makes it easier to lift the unburnt portion away from the bottom without disturbing the charred bits. This works best if the rice hasn't burned too badly. But be careful not to scrape the bottom when scooping out the unburnt rice to avoid any burnt flavor spreading!
Once you've rescued the good rice, transfer it to a new dish to prevent any lingering burnt taste from affecting the rest of your meal.
Kitchen Smarts!
Cooking doesn't have to feel like a chore when you've got these handy hacks to solve everyday kitchen problems. But if you're ready to make your cooking even more seamless, explore the latest cooking appliances at RCS Superstore, Inc. — because the right tools can make all the difference in mastering your kitchen!
And if you have any questions, call or visit us! Our team is always happy to help!