You thought you had it all figured out. You’ve baked a few cakes, and roasted a mean turkey. But, are you wasting time and energy? Maybe so! Today, we’re sharing some genius ways to save time, minimize effort, and not let anything get in your way when it comes to cooking and preparing your everyday foods. Enter our very own kitchen hacks. You can thank us later 🙂 xoxo Laura & Lauren
Hack #1
How to chop an onion: this is one of our most requested hacks, so it’s going to the top of our list. Lauren shares some great tips for making the act of chopping an onion no crying matter 😉
First, cut the onion in half from the two points of the onion.
Choose a half, and cut off one the tips in order to peel off the first layer (this is the layer you don’t want to eat).
Once your onion is clean, make thin slices lengthwise towards the point that’s still holding the onion together. Do NOT cut all the way through the point, but get as close as possible. It should look like a ‘blooming onion’ when you’re done. 🙂
The last thing you’ll do is start chopping the opposite way you did prior. The pieces will fall off easily and you’ll have little squares ready to go for cooking! Chop as much or as little as you’d like. The best part is that the blooming onion stays in tact for when you’re ready to chop off more.
Hack #2
Peeling hard-boiled eggs: This may sound odd, but it actually works! Put the egg in a glass cup, add a little bit of water, and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. The shell comes right off…in one piece! Don’t believe us? See proof here.
Hack #3
How to (correctly) cut an avocado: First, start by slicing it lengthwise in half. If you plan to use just half, use the side without the pit first. Keeping the pit inside the other half actually keeps the avocado fresh longer. Just cover with plastic wrap and stick in the fridge. When you go to use it next, simply, take off the top brown layer, and it should still be green inside!
If you want to use the full avocado, simply slam the knife into the pit and twist…it should come right out! Then, cut around the other edge to release the full avocado. Otherwise, you can cut into slices inside the skin and remove.
Hack #4
Releasing sticky ingredients from a measuring cup: This is one of Laura’s favorites! When you’re measuring thick, sticky ingredients like honey or peanut butter, simply spray your measuring cups with nonstick cooking spray to make the ingredients slip right out.
Hack #5:
How to easily peel a banana: This may sound ridiculous, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t know this. We were always taught to peel from the stem, but it’s actually the opposite! Squeeze the end of the banana with your thumb and forefinger, then peel back…voila!
Hack #6:
What to do with leftover herbs: If you’re anything like us. you’ll make a recipe that calls for a couple tablespoons of cilantro, then you’re still stuck with a full bunch in the fridge, and nothing to do with it! Well, get this! Simply, microwave the herb, and it becomes instantly dried. Crumble it up and throw it in a zip lock baggy for your next great meal.
Hack #7:
Vacuum-seal your food without a costly machine: Okay, this one really is genius! It’s always so hard to get all the air out of the bag when you’re closing it up. Use a straw! Zip up the bag mostly, then stick in a straw and suck! Close the little bit you have immediately after pulling the straw out. Easy peasy! Note: we don’t suggest using this for any kind of raw meat.
Hack #8:
Cutting green beans: for the longest time, Lauren would break off the stems on green beans before putting them in the pot to boil. But, why do that when you can cut off the ends in one fell swoop!? Line up the beans the best you can (doesn’t have to be perfect) and make one long cut! Then, rotate your cutting board, line up the non-cut stems, and repeat. The simplest of tricks and it will save you time.
Now, put these hacks to the test and go try out some of our recipes!
