15 Genius Food and Kitchen Hacks

[Shel_B]

After seeing this video a couple of weeks ago, I was amazed at the simplicity and usefulness of some of the ideas. After trying a few, it was clear as Nicole, the presenter, said, no B.S.  Maybe you'll find something here that works for you. Plus, Nicole is a very personable presenter ...

 

 

Edited 21 hours ago by Smithy
Adjusted title (log)

[Smithy]

I could wish that she didn't use the descriptor "hack" so much, but that might simply be because I'm jaded to the hackneyed phrase. I agree that she has a good presentation style (except for that) -- very laid-back and easy-going. I especially liked the quiche ratio: break 3 eggs into a 2-cup container, then use dairy to bring the quantity up to 1-1/2 cups no matter how big or small the eggs are. I'll definitely try that one, as the perfect egg:cheese ratio for a 9" quiche. I also liked the use of muffin tins, turned upside down, as taco holders. Some others, like the jargarita and the use of store-bought waffles to make croutons, made sense to me although I'll probably never try those tricks.

 

I did marvel at how empty her freezer compartment was, to allow the storage of a bottle of bourbon and still have empty space! 🙃 

 

What tricks have you especially found useful?

[Shel_B]

Re: empty freezer ... I think she was filming in a studio set.

 

While not particularly useful for me based on how I use vanilla extract, it's nonetheless usefu to know, and I'll check its validity on my other extracts at some point. I liked using the butter wrapper to grease pans and in the microwave, and the quiche tip is very useful. I'm expecting a house guest and it'll come in handy. Like you, I liked the taco trick but probably won't use it much, or maybe I will as it helps make the process simpler for me. And the smashed taco thing was simple and will be used regularly, as will the smashed fruit pie trick.

[Smithy]

13 hours ago, Shel_B said:

Re: empty freezer ... I think she was filming in a studio set.

 

While not particularly useful for me based on how I use vanilla extract, it's nonetheless usefu to know, and I'll check its validity on my other extracts at some point. I liked using the butter wrapper to grease pans and in the microwave, and the quiche tip is very useful. I'm expecting a house guest and it'll come in handy. Like you, I liked the taco trick but probably won't use it much, or maybe I will as it helps make the process simpler for me. And the smashed taco thing was simple and will be used regularly, as will the smashed fruit pie trick.

 

I'm sure she was filming in a studio set! I have never seen a freezer that empty, and I wonder who among us has that kind of space? That's what I was giggling about.

 

I'm certainly going to check the vanilla extract bit, next time I use vanilla in something. I think she's mistaken about that being a universal rule. Let me know what you find out too, please.

[ElsieD]

I had a look at my vanilla and the top is not conducive to measuring 1 teaspoon.  I have trouble with plastics not drying in the dishwasher so will try the towel trick next time I run a load.  And, I'm embarrassed to say that I have never thought of putting the box grater on it's side.  Makes perfect sense, so thanks @Shel_B for posting this.

Edited 3 hours ago by ElsieD
Fixed typo (log)

[Shel_B]

1 hour ago, Smithy said:

I'm certainly going to check the vanilla extract bit, next time I use vanilla in something. I think she's mistaken about that being a universal rule. Let me know what you find out too, please.

 

I checked my lemon extract, almond extract, and liquid smoke ... all three caps held the same amount, just a skosh below the lip of my teaspoon measure. And if I'm not mistaken, they looked exactly like the measurement in the video.

[Nancy in Pátzcuaro]

Amazing hacks. I've saved the website for future use (I'm at the beach right now but will need this when I get home). Very clever!

[Smithy]

2 hours ago, ElsieD said:

I had a look at my vanilla and the top is not conducive to measuring 1 teaspoon.  I have trouble with plastics not drying in the dishwasher so will try the towel trick next time I run a load.  And, I'm embarrassed to say that I have never thought of putting the box grater on it's side.  Makes perfect sense, so thanks @Shel_B for posting this.

 

I've never tried the box grater on its side, either. I'll have to try that and see what I think! It does make sense.

[MaryIsobel]

49 minutes ago, Smithy said:

 

I've never tried the box grater on its side, either. I'll have to try that and see what I think! It does make sense.

That is one of the few "hacks" that I have tried - it is definitly easier on the old arthritic wrists than the convential way. That being said - one of my husband's contributions to my cooking is that he is The Grater of the Cheese. He doesn't have hand or wrist issues, so is happy to comply!

[blue_dolphin]

I agree with @Smithy that the presenter is engaging. Gave me a nice little insomnia distraction last night and my comments cast no shame on anyone who picked up some good ideas. I was very impressed at the multiple ovens and vast counter space in that kitchen though I don’t see much genius, just hacks, which aren’t a good thing in my book.  

With respect to measuring vanilla extract into the cap, my vanilla isn’t the same brand and the cap barely holds less than 3/4 tsp. Close but no cigar. More importantly, I prefer to keep the cap and bottle threads clean to maintain the best seal.
I learned to save butter wrappers for greasing pans from my mom and assumed everyone did the same. Maybe she was more of a genius than I realized - she thought box graters were unsafe and always used her Mouli julienne to grate cheese so I bought one for my first kitchen as well. 

I don’t care for Rice Crispy Treats but I will wash an extra bowl any day instead of trying to awkwardly mix something in a baking pan.
As someone who has a tiny freezer compartment in my fridge and views all bags of chips as a single serving, the business of storing bags of snacks in the freezer went over my head. Bagged popcorn already has zero appeal and eating it cold sounds atrocious. Fresh, hot popcorn for me! 
The whole s’mores thing was odd. Anyone who wants eat s’mores with a fork is missing the point and the idea of kids stabbing a flaming poker with molten marshmallows into a a tiny plastic bag of cookies is frightening. 
I like batch cocktails and her “freezer door Old Fashioned” is OK but generally, you want to account for dilution by adding a measured amount of water if you want to batch freezer cocktails. 
I didn’t realize that hard taco shells were still a thing. I guess the muffin tins could be handy but I would never dirty an extra one to hold the sour cream, hot sauce, etc that were already in their own containers. 
Did I miss some serious genius? 

 

[liuzhou]

I thought the butter wrap thing was  universal, too. I've been doing for almost 70 years.

 

 

Edited 41 minutes ago by liuzhou (log)