7 Kitchen Hacks & Simple Tricks
Mar 20, 2021 06:04 AM
Kitchen hacks and simple solutions are amazing because they make our lives easier, save time, and minimize effort. Regardless of skill level—whether you’re a novice, naturally gifted in the kitchen, or simply blessed with many years of experience—these quick and clever kitchen hacks are sure to change how you cook for the better. I hope, these simple ideas and tips will make your time in the kitchen a little bit more pleasant!
Making sure to season
If you don’t like to add salt to pasta water before it comes to a boil for fear of pitting your pots but want to make sure that by the time it does come to a boil, you’re not too preoccupied with the rest of the meal to remember to add the salt, try this tip. Add the salt to the opened box of pasta (we recommend 1 tablespoon of table salt per pound of pasta), then simply dump the contents into the boiling water.
Protecting drained pasta
I have noticed that every time i drained pasta into a shallow colander, the hot water would back up into the pasta before it had a chance to empty down the drain, creating a risk of contamination if the sink wasn’t perfectly clean. I now steady the colander on an upside-down cake pan before draining. This elevates the colander and pasta above the basin.
Impromptu colander
You can use a salad spinner to drain pasta rather than digging out a colander. After cooking the pasta, pour it into the salad spinner insert and drain.
A reminder to reserve pasta water
In that last flurry of activity before saucing the pasta and getting dinner on the table, it’s easy to overlook small details. It’s no wonder, then, that many cooks forget to save a bit of pasta cooking water to thin the sauce when the recipe recommends it. For a foolproof reminder, place a measuring cup inside the colander in the sink before cooking the pasta. It’s sure to nudge your memory at the appropriate moment.
Giving gnocchi their ridges
When making gnocchi, it is customary to give each piece distinct ridges using a butter paddle or the tines of a fork. For a quicker process, use a whisk for that job. Simply line up the gnocchi pieces on the counter and then roll the whisk over them to create deep, even ridges.
Impromptu ravioli wrappers
Store-bought wonton wrappers make a great substitute for homemade pasta when making ravioli.
1. Lay one wrapper on counter; place your homemade filling on top.
2. Brush the edges of the dough with water and cover with another wrapper. Use the tines of a fork to seal the edges of the ravioli.
1. Lay one wrapper on counter; place your homemade filling on top.
2. Brush the edges of the dough with water and cover with another wrapper. Use the tines of a fork to seal the edges of the ravioli.
Spice-jar spaghetti measuring
Judging the correct amount of spaghetti to cook for two people can be tricky, especially if you try to do so by eye. Take the guesswork out by saving a clean empty spice jar (with a 1-inch diameter opening) and using it to measure out just the right amount for two servings. Simply halve this amount when you want to measure spaghetti for one serving.
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