Cooking Hacks You Probably Haven’t Tried Yet

PHOTO BY HASAN KURT ON PEXELS

Every home cook knows that the kitchen can be a place of creativity and sometimes frustration. Discovering new cooking hacks can save time, enhance flavors, and elevate everyday meals.

From unconventional uses for everyday ingredients to time-saving shortcuts, there’s always something fresh to try. These hacks might just transform the way meals are prepared and enjoyed.

Flip a Muffin Tin for Taco Shell Holders

Using a muffin tin is a clever and easy way to shape and hold taco shells while baking. It helps keep them upright and evenly cooked.

Here’s how to do it:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Flip a muffin tin upside down. Drape soft taco shells between the cups. Bake until the shells are firm and hold their shape.

This method prevents shells from collapsing and ensures even cooking. It also lets you shape tacos creatively and makes serving neat and simple.

Watch a demonstration here:

Wrap Herb Stems Around Roasting Meat

Using herb stems while roasting adds flavor and reduces waste. Sturdy stems like rosemary or thyme can be tied around meat to infuse aroma as it cooks.

Benefits include releasing fragrant oils during roasting, naturally enhancing the taste of the meat, and making use of herb parts that are often discarded.

To do it, choose woody stems. Season meat then wrap stems securely.

The video below shows how stems add flavor in cooking, supporting this simple, sustainable technique:

Use a Microplane on Cold Butter for Easy Mixing

Grating cold butter with a microplane makes mixing quick and easy. The fine shreds blend smoothly into dough, helping create an even texture with less effort.

This method is especially helpful for recipes like scones, biscuits, or cookies where butter texture matters. It also saves time compared to cutting in chunks by hand.

Quick tips:

• Choose a microplane – Use the fine side for smaller shreds.
  
• Keep butter cold – Refrigerate it before grating.
  
• Fold it in – Gently mix the butter into your batter or dough.

Check out this demonstration: