75 cooking tricks that'll make you look like a professional chef

#1 Use a spiralizer for curly fries

Spiralizers aren’t just for salads. Use one meant for potatoes, and your curly fries will be even and crispy. Don’t forget to season them!

#2 Or spiralize sweet potatoes

For a healthier option, use sweet potatoes and a traditional spiralizer instead. Bake your spiralized sweet potatoes in the oven (with oil or a cooking spray for a crispier result) until done.

curls — Nutritious Eats
Source:

Nutritious Eats

#3 Poached eggs from the microwave

Spray the inside of a microwave-safe mug with a little oil or nonstick spray. Add eggs, salt, and pepper. Put it in the microwave for 90 seconds, along with another cup of water next to it.

egg — Annie Mole via Flickr
Source:

Annie Mole via Flickr

#4 Make a cake in a mug

If you are worried about temptation or portion control, this is a great solution. Use some nonstick spray, add your cake ingredients, and then microwave on high for 60 seconds.

#5 Poached eggs in a muffin tin

Add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of each cup, crack in an egg, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Simple perfection!

cups — Shutterstock via EatThis
Source:

Shutterstock via EatThis

#6 Use a spoon to peel ginger

Ginger is an oddly shaped and tricky root to peel. Take all the work out of it by gently scraping the delicate outer layer with a spoon. It will come right off, and you won’t lose any ginger in the process.

#7 Place ingredients in a muffin tin

If your recipe calls for a lot of dicing, mixing, and chopping; this will help. Keep your prepared ingredients seperate and accessible while you add to them so that you’ll have them all right there when you’re ready to get cooking.

#8 Get perfectly even pie crusts

Use a ruler the next time you make pies. Roll out the dough, and then measure a square precisely to get the exact same amount each time.

#9 An egg slicer for perfect vegetable portions

Quickly and cleanly cut vegetables like mushrooms with an egg slicer. You’ll wonder why you have been wasting time with a knife.

#10 Chill pastry dough before baking

If you want a perfectly flaky pastry, allow the dough to settle in the fridge for half an hour before baking. Just prepare it beforehand so it can go directly from the fridge to the oven.

#11 Prep bananas for banana bread

If your bananas aren’t quite ripe enough for banana bread, don’t fret. Slice them up and pop them in the oven for half an hour. They’ll come out sweet, browned, and ready to be added to your batter.

#12 Frozen wine

If you have frozen wine, don’t throw it away. Freeze it and use it in your next sangria recipe.

ingredients — Proflowers via Flickr
Source:

Proflowers via Flickr

#13 Keep bananas yellow longer

Bananas tend to go bad quickly, but they don’t have to. Break up the bunch and wrap each stem in plastic wrap. This will stop the ethylene gas in the stem from spreading to the rest of the banana and accelerating ripening.

#14 Boil pasta in a frying pan

If you need to save on time, boil your pasta in a frying pan instead of a pot. It also saves on water.

pan — jan_krustisch via Flickr
Source:

jan_krustisch via Flickr

#15 Make pasta for one in the microwave

Add water and pasta together in a microwave-safe bowl. Put it on high and stop to stir it every minute until it’s done.

#16 Preheat pans perfectly

Do you know if your pan is ready to start cooking? Flick a drop of water onto the surface. If it turns into two beads that dance around the pan, you’re there.

stove — rocketboom via Flickr
Source:

rocketboom via Flickr

#17 Freeze fresh herbs

Keep herbs fresh longer. Use an ice cube tray to make the portions simple and easy to throw into a recipe later.

#18 Skip on chopping onions every time

Chopping onions is a chore. Do it all at once and store the extra in the freezer for easy use later.

#19 Freeze your coffee

Do you like an iced coffee in the summer? Don’t dilute it with normal ice. Use coffee ice cubes to keep it strong.

#20 Store spring onions in a water bottle

Spring onions only stay perfectly fresh for a short time. Chop them up and store them in a bottle in the freezer. They will be easy to pour out and still fresh the next time you need them for a recipe.

chalets — carlcampbell via Flickr
Source:

carlcampbell via Flickr

#21 Keep the salt and pepper close

Keep your salt and pepper by the stove. It will save a little extra time each time you cook.

shakers — doyland via Flickr
Source:

doyland via Flickr

#22 Make toast faster

If you have to make a bunch of toast at once, skip the toaster. Throw it in the oven for five minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

#23 Soften butter in under three minutes

Heat a glass and then place your butter on a plate beneath it. In three minutes, you will have exceptionally soft butter.

#24 Get crispy crunchy taco shells

Warm your taco shells in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about ten minutes. They’ll be crispy and ready to be filled.

#25 Defrost peas with pasta

Throw your peas in the colander and strain your cooked pasta right over them. It will soften and cook them all at once.

#26 Freeze leftover broth

It keeps food waste to a minimum and makes easy portions ready for later. What do you have to lose?

#27 Muffin tin burrito bowls

Muffin tins can be used for a lot. The next time you want to make burrito bowls, use one to keep everything perfectly formed while the shells cook. Bake them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for ten minutes.

#28 Stop garlic from sticking to your knife

Rub a dab of olive oil on your knife before you get to chopping. The garlic won’t stick!

#29 Slice grapes and cherry tomatoes in a snap

Place your tomatoes or grapes between two flat surfaces (plates or lids) and then slice between them. They’ll all be cut at the same time with nothing rolling around.

#30 Pre-scoop your ice cream

Use a sewing needle to make cuts a couple of cm apart from your last cut along the spine of the banana. Work your way down by poking the needle through the cuts. When you peel the banana you will have it presliced and ready to enjoy.

id="slideshow-image-page-num-30

" style="display: none;">

[/imgsrc]

#31 Get grime off a cast-iron skillet

Boil salt and water in a skillet with stuck-on food. It will slide right off.

pan — westchestercycles via Flickr
Source:

westchestercycles via Flickr

#32 Use a pizza cutter for greens

Make quick work of greens with a pizza cutter. Knives are just a thing of the past.

#33 Use a glass to peel a mango

Start the slice with a knife, then place the edge of a glass between the peel and the fruit. Press down, and your mango is peeled and ready for slicing.

#34 Make perfect pancakes

Use an old squeeze bottle for your pancake batter. It will come out perfectly each time.

#35 Watch for bubbles on pancakes

Are you unsure of when to flip pancakes? Watch for small bubbles on the surface to know when it’s time to flip them.

cooking — davedugdale via Flickr
Source:

davedugdale via Flickr

#36 Cook bacon flat

If you want perfectly flat bacon, press it between two sheet pans and bake it. It’s that easy!

#37 Use a mortar and pestle for garlic

If a recipe calls for minced garlic, skip the fine chopping. Crush it with a mortar and pestle to bring out the flavor instead.

#38 Use a Bundt pan for chicken

Clean the pan with salt to make sure no sugar remains. Place your chicken evenly at the bottom of the pan, add potatoes and vegetables, and bake at 425 degrees until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. It will be some of the best chicken you have had.

pan — justinbaeder via Flickr
Source:

justinbaeder via Flickr

#39 Preassemble smoothie packs

Are you short on time in the morning? Create smoothie packs ahead of time and seal them in plastic bags in the freezer for easy use.

#40 Use a waffle iron for a quick grilled cheese

Are you in a crunch for time? Use the waffle iron to make a quick and perfectly pressed grilled cheese sandwich.

waffle maker — nickv via Flickr
Source:

nickv via Flickr

#41 Use a waffle iron for hash browns

They will come out crispy and well-formed. What else could anyone ask for?

#42 Skip the bell pepper seeds

Are you tired of getting seeds everywhere when cutting bell peppers? Just cut them at an angle. That curve will avoid the seeds.

slice — Broxithebeartv via YouTube
Source:

Broxithebeartv via YouTube

#43 Make thin cuts of meat easier

Slicing meat before it is cooked can be a challenge. Freeze it for 15 minutes to give it enough texture. Then slicing it will be simple.

#44 Microwave your butternut squash

Slice the squash in half and then microwave it for 12 minutes. It will come out soft and practically slide out of the peel.

vegetable — healthguage via Flickr
Source:

healthguage via Flickr

#45 Keep apples from browning

After slicing your apple, reassemble it and keep it all together with a rubber band. The core will help to stop it from browning.

fruit — melisatg via Flickr
Source:

melisatg via Flickr

#46 Really keep apples from browning

If you don’t feel like reassembling your apple, pour some lemon juice over it. The slices will stay fresh for hours.

#47 Steam eggs for easy shell removal

Forget boiling your eggs. Steam them for 12 minutes and then throw them into cold water. The shells will peel right off.

egg — khastie via Flickr
Source:

khastie via Flickr

#48 Loosen up brown sugar quickly

Is your sugar just one big clump? Put it in a bowl, cover it with a damp napkin, and place it in the microwave for 20 seconds.

#49 Keep your cookies soft

Store cookies with a heel of bread. The bread won’t go to waste, and it will keep your cookies soft and fresh for longer.

#50 Get more from pickle juice

Don’t throw away old pickle juice when the pickles are gone. Bring it to a boil and add cucumber and onion slices. Now, you can have more pickles!

#51 Have a better Bloody Mary

There is more than just one use for old pickle juice. Add a teaspoon to your next bloody Mary. You’ll be impressed.

#52 And better marinated chicken

Pickle juice is also great for marinating chicken. Soak your chicken or other ingredients in it for at least thirty minutes before cooking.

#53 Keep brown sugar fresh longer

Don’t store your brown sugar alone if you want it to stay soft. Add a marshmallow or small slice of bread.

#54 Reheat pizza right

Don’t throw that cold pizza in the oven or microwave. Use a skillet to get it evenly heated with a crispy crust.

#55 Separate yolks in a snap

Separating an egg yolk from the white can be a pain. Use a clean water bottle to suck the yolk right out.

#56 Serve dinner on warm plates

Keep hot food at the right temperature by serving it on warm plates. Just pop them under the hot water for a minute before using them.

#57 Test your eggs for freshness

Before using eggs, always make sure they’re still good. Pop them into a cup of cold water. If they sink, they’re safe. If they float, throw them out.

#58 Separate pomegranates without the mess

The next time you separate the seeds from a pomegranate, avoid stains. Do it all in a bowl full of water, then drain the water when you’re done.

#59 Freeze herbs with olive oil

Freezing fresh herbs is a great way to store them. Add olive oil, and they’ll also be completely ready to cook with.

green — suavehouse113 via Flickr
Source:

suavehouse113 via Flickr

#60 Chill your ice cream bowls

Ice cream and other cool treats will last a little longer in a chilled bowl. Put your bowl, mugs, or plates in the freezer overnight before serving cold desserts.

#61 Peel garlic in a snap

Throw your cloves of garlic in a jar and shake it around. The skins will fall right off.

#62 Stop molasses from sticking

Coat your measuring cups with oil or cooking spray to stop molasses from sticking to them. It will just pour right out. This also works to keep honey from sticking.

#63 Prep meals ahead of time for easy cooking

Meal prep takes a lot of time, and we don’t always have it. Make things ahead of time and store them in the freezer.

#64 Always preheat your pans

Your sautéed vegetables will be crispier, and everything will come out better. It’s worth the small wait.

fish — wuestenigel via Flickr
Source:

wuestenigel via Flickr

#65 Avoid eggshell pieces

Crack your eggs on a flat surface instead of on an edge. It will stop bits of eggshell from driving into the egg white.

three — James Bowe via Flickr
Source:

James Bowe via Flickr

#66 Keep microwaved food steamy

When you microwave your food, cover it with a wet napkin. It will trap the steam inside.

meal — France1978 via Flickr
Source:

France1978 via Flickr

#67 Boil potatoes to make removing the skin simple

Boil potatoes for 15 minutes, transfer them to cold water, and then just use your fingers to remove the skins. Easy!

peeled — rexroof via Flickr
Source:

rexroof via Flickr

#68 Destem strawberries with a straw

Push the tip of the straw up through the strawberry and pop the top right off. Simple!

straws — renaissancechambra via Flickr
Source:

renaissancechambra via Flickr

#69 Use cooking spray on measuring spoons

Your ingredients will never stick to them again. Now, you can measure more precisely.

#70 Remove broken eggshell pieces easily

If you accidentally left some eggshell in a mixing bowl, there’s an easy solution. Run some water over your finger and then dip it into the mix. The water will attract the shell.

shells — suckamc via Flickr
Source:

suckamc via Flickr

#71 Use an eggshell to remove eggshell

If you find little pieces of egg in your recipe and don’t feel like using your finger to pull them out, don’t panic. Scoop them out with an eggshell.

crack — andrewgustar via Flickr
Source:

andrewgustar via Flickr

#72 Keep your cutting board from sliding

A cutting board that moves around can be potentially dangerous. Slide a damp paper towel beneath it to stop it from slipping.

#73 Check avocado ripeness with the stem

Avoid squeezing and bruising your avocados. Check the stem instead. If it peels away easily and it is green beneath, it’s ready. If the stem still sticks, it needs more time to ripen. However, if you see brown, you may have waited too long to use that avocado.

#74 Use white vinegar to make perfectly poached eggs

Add a little white vinegar to the water when making poached eggs. It will keep them from sticking to the pan, leaving them in pristine shape for the plate.

egg — anokarina via Flickr
Source:

anokarina via Flickr

#75 Ripen fruit faster

If you need fruit to ripen faster, put it in a paper bag. The ethylene gas that fruits produce will be trapped inside and will accelerate the process.