10 Ingenious Cooking Tips and Tricks

10 Ingenious Cooking Tips and Tricks

1. Freeze Strawberries for Winter Smoothies

When strawberries are in season, buy extra and freeze them unwashed in ziplock bags. They are perfect for winter smoothies. Simply take out a few, rinse, remove the tops, and blend with a banana and some orange juice.

2. Oven-Baked Bacon

Avoid the splatter mess of frying bacon by baking it in the oven. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray, line up the bacon, and bake at 375°F until almost done. Drain on paper towels and store in the refrigerator. When needed, microwave the bacon in a paper towel until fully cooked.

3. Quick Slicing of Grapes and Cherry Tomatoes

Slicing grapes or cherry tomatoes can be tedious. Place them between two plastic carton container lids and slice through the middle with a sharp knife. This method allows you to slice multiple items quickly and efficiently.

4. Grilled Pizza Rounds

For summer pizza nights, roll out dough into individual serving-sized rounds and lightly grill one side. Stack them for guests to top as they wish, ensuring they put sauce and toppings on the grilled side. Finish cooking on the grill.

5. Quick Steel-Cut Oats

Love steel-cut oats but short on time? Prepare a batch with one cup of oats and store it in the refrigerator. Scoop out what you need each morning and microwave for a quick, nutritious breakfast.

6. Freeze Overripe Bananas

If your bananas are getting too ripe and you don't have time to bake, peel them and place them in a plastic zipper bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze them for future use in baking or smoothies.

7. Discounted Chocolate for Desserts

After holidays, visit grocery or drug stores to buy seasonal chocolate at a discount. These can be used for future chocolate desserts, saving you money while satisfying your sweet tooth.

8. Rotisserie Chicken for Soup

Love grocery store rotisserie chickens? Save the leftover chicken in a gallon zipper bag in the freezer. Use it to make a flavorful chicken noodle soup by adding it to a stockpot with water, onion, carrot, celery, poultry seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.

9. Leftover Meat for Quesadillas

Have a small amount of leftover steak, chicken, or fish? Save it to make quesadilla appetizers or after-school snacks. Simply add cheese and tortillas for a quick and tasty treat.

10. Store Extra Icing

Made too much icing for your cookies? Store the leftovers in ziplock bags in the freezer. When you need to decorate a few cookies or write on a cake, you'll have ready-made icing in a variety of colors.

Interesting Stats About Cooking

• Food Waste: According to the USDA, Americans waste about 30-40% of the food supply, which equates to approximately 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food each year. Source: USDA
• Home Cooking: A survey by the Food Marketing Institute found that 82% of meals are prepared at home, with 37% of Americans cooking every day. Source: Food Marketing Institute
• Time Spent Cooking: On average, Americans spend about 37 minutes a day preparing food and cleaning up. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Conclusion

These cooking tips and tricks are designed to make your time in the kitchen more efficient and enjoyable. From freezing seasonal fruits to making the most of leftovers, these strategies can help you save time and reduce waste. Try incorporating these tips into your routine and see how they can transform your cooking experience.