11 Kitchen Tips That Will Make Your Life Easier

Having spent a lot of time in the kitchen I have discovered some tips and tricks that will make your life so much easier.  Small ways to cut corners, speed up, and reduce messes that will help your kitchen run a little better, hopefully you find some new tips you love!

11 Kitchen Tips That will Make Your Life Easier

1. Stop Boil Over– I have heard people say this doesn’t work but it has for me every time.  When boiling rice, pasta, and other items-lay a wooden spoon across the pot. While the bubbles may reach the spoon, they will not bubble over.

2. Use Ice Cube Trays– One of my favorite ways to cut down on time, not to mention waste is to freeze a lot of items in an ice cube tray, move to a freezer bag, and label. Each spot holds approximately 2 Tbsp. so it is easy to mix into recipes. I freeze broth, tomato sauce and paste, herbs in olive oil, cream, buttermilk, juices. They can all be tossed into your recipes frozen.

3. Freeze Meat for Slicing– Freeze chicken, sirloin and other cuts of beef slightly (20-30 minutes) to slice easily.  A good knife will go right through it like butter.

4. Cover Knives- If you don’t use a knife block  but put them in drawer instead slip a wine cork on the tip of each knife to cover it.

5. Use Bread- Toss a slice of fresh bread in with your cookies, this will keep them fresher as they absorb the moisture form the slice they will remain soft, replace every couple days.

6. Remove Garlic Smell– But rubbing your hands over stainless steel like a clean sink, then wash them as usual and odor will be gone.

7. Pipe with disposable bags– When you want to fill a hard boiled egg, drizzle sour cream on a dish, or pipe on a simple frosting- fill a plastic sandwich bag with whatever you are using, snip off a small corner and squeeze gently to pipe.  Toss when you are done, nothing to wash!

8. Bake Bacon– In the oven instead of  the stove. Less grease, less smoke, and evenly cooked pieces everytime! Simply cover a baking sheet with a lip in aluminum foil. Spread out bacon slice and place in a cold oven, turn to 400 degrees, bake for approximately 20 minutes. This will also allow to you to cook other items like eggs and have everything ready and warm at the same time.

9. Don’t Cry- When chopping onions to avoid the tears first use a very sharp knife, place onion in the freezer for 15 minutes before cutting, and finally cut right under your vent if possible.

10. Mix it up- Use your stand mixer to shred chicken for nachos, quesadillas, soups, and more. Place hot, cooked chicken breasts in mixer with paddle attachment and mix on medium until you have shredded it all. Remove and use or allow to cool then place in a freezer bag for other meals.

11. Use a Pizza Slicer–  For more than just pizza, this is especially quick and helpful when prepping food for the kids. Use it to quickly slice up pancakes, french toast, pb&j’s, quesadilla’s, and more.  I keep mine on the counter in my most used utensils jar- it comes in that handy!