10 secret kitchen hacks that will make you feel like a chef
Even if cooking is your passion, you might still be unaware of some of these simple but clever kitchen tricks. Read on to find out how to cook crystal clear broth, dry herbs the fastest way and make your blender last longer.
#1 For perfect mashed potatoes, properly dry them out after boiling
Do it in a warm dry pan and be careful not to fry them. When excess water is gone, your potatoes are ready to be mashed. This way they will turn out creamy, smooth and full of flavor.
#2 Lightly dust bacon strips with flour before frying
This simple and fast step changes everything: instead of soggy pieces you get the crispiest and tastiest strips.
#3 If your dish contains tomatoes, use sugar as a seasoning
When you salt the tomatoes, just add a little sugar as well. It will expose their natural sweetness and make your dish especially flavorsome.
#4 Fry your eggs on low heat
After you've heated up the pan on low heat, add a 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Let the butter melt and then add the eggs. Cook them for 4-5 minutes. Perfect! For the best fried eggs in your life, it's better to use a thick-walled frying pan.
#5 Cook chicken broth slowly
If you want to prepare a prefect base for any soup, cook chicken on the lowest heat for at least 3 hours. It sounds like a lot of time, but it's really worth it: you will get a crystal clear broth and the most tender meat. Just try it once and you will fall in love with this method.
#6 Before searing, always dry meat on a paper towel
Removing excess moisture from meat will help you get a perfect crispy skin.
#7 Take dairy products and eggs out of the fridge a couple of hours before making the dough
Room temperature ingredients really make a difference. Cold products just don't incorporate together as well. If you want to make an evenly textured batter, it's essential not to ignore this step.
#8 Create unique blends of dried herbs in your microwave
You can buy fresh herbs and dry out and mix them at home. Put the leaves on a paper towel and microwave them for 2-3 minutes. Pause every 30 seconds to turn them over. If you still can't crush them up, microwave for another 30 seconds – until they're completely dry.
#9 Place the liquids in the blender first
Most people toss the solids first, but putting liquid ingredients at the bottom is actually smarter. This way you get a creamier blend and make it easier for your device to cope with the work, which helps it live longer.
#10 Don't be afraid of using frozen fruit and vegetables
Frozen fruit and vegetables are basically as healthy as fresh ones – and sometimes they're even better. So why not use them more often in order to save time?
What do you think of these kitchen hacks? Would you use any of them? Do you have your own cooking tricks? Tell us in the comments!
Don't forget that you can always put your knowledge to the test with QuizzClub's fun trivia questions of all kinds.
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