20 Healthy Kitchen Hacks
by: ffadmin

Simpler Strategies

1. Perfectly peel-able boiled eggs

Poke a hole in the bottom/top of the egg then boil as usual. The shell should come right off!

2. Rush the ripeness.

Put fruit in a paper bag to make it ripen quicker. Fruit releases ethylene gas naturally to help it become ripe and the bag will trap that gas, speeding up the process.

3. De-core a head of lettuce.

To easily get the core out of a head of lettuce, set the lettuce on a sturdy countertop or table. Lift the head then slam it, sternly, once on the countertop. The core will be disconnected from the leaves and is easily removed.

4. Peel garlic easily.

Lay the clove on its side and whack it with the broad side of a chef’s knife. The skin will fall right off! This also releases more juices, helping the garlic to be more flavorful in your dish.

5. Rid your strawberry of stems.

Remove strawberry stems and leaves by pressing a straw through the bottom of the berry until it breaks through the top, taking the hull (the white part inside), stem, and leaves with it!

Freezer Friendly

6. Cran the cubes.

Freeze cran-water in ice cube trays and add to a regular glass of cran-water. Your drink will stay cold and the “cran ice” will simply make more cran-water as it melts. (You could also freeze cranberry juice and add the cubes to a glass of plain water.)

7. Fresh broth, ready to go.

Freeze broth in ice cube trays for pre-measured portions that are easily accessible for any recipe. Add to skillets, saute pans, and pots to add more flavor to any dish. Frozen broth will also stay fresh for longer. (This also works for lemon juice!)

8. Get more glorious greens.

Steam or saute greens (spinach, kale) then strain and puree in a food processor. Freeze the greens in ice cube trays to easily add to smoothies for an extra vitamin boost. The greens will also keep for longer frozen than if they were simply in a drawer of the fridge.

9. DIY lunchbox ice-pack.

Freeze a wet sponge in a plastic baggie for a convenient icepack that fits in any lunchbox. As it melts, the water will be contained in the baggie, making clean-up a breeze!

10. Cube-less chill.

Cool down your beverage by adding a few frozen grapes. They will keep your drink cool without melting into it, watering it down.

11. Make herbs easy.

Chop herbs and freeze them in broth or oil for a fresh touch and less prep with any meal.

Lemon Lovin’

12. Keep brown at bay.

Sprinkle some lemon juice, or rub a slice of lemon, over sliced avocados and apples to keep them from turning brown. The citric acid and vitamin C slows down the oxidation process that causes browning.

13. Nuke it to juice it.

Boil the lemon or lime to get more juice out of it. (You can also microwave for about 20 seconds.) Heating the citrus fruit “melts” certain cells, causing them to be more flexible and juicy. Also roll the fruit before cutting to release more juice.

14. Easy squeezy.

Cut a lemon in half and place between tongs near the middle of the arms. Squeeze the prongs together to easily get every last drop of juice.

15. Freshen the old cutting board.

Clean your wooden cutting board by sprinkling with coarse salt and massaging with half a lemon. The homemade scrub will remove food particles and smell.

16. Disinfect your disposal.

Drop lemon slices into a running garbage disposal to do away with the dingy, old food smell. The citrus’ fresh aroma helps, as does its natural antibacterial properties.

Utensils & Tools

17. Personalized seasonings on-the-go.

Save money and lower sodium intake by making your own seasoning mixes. Take them with you in a re-purposed seasoning container. (It also works with an old Tic Tac box!)

18. Kill sponge germs.

Soak your sponge in water with a bit of lemon juice, then pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes to kill germs and get rid of the old food-y, musty smell. (Let it sit in the microwave for a few minutes to cool— it will be really steamy.)

19. Rejuvenate wooden spoons.

Revive old, warped and stained wooden spoons by boiling in a pot of water and laying out to dry in the sun.

20. Lengthen the life of your sponge.

Dry your dish sponge faster by clamping a binder clip on one end, and standing upright. Letting it dry faster and more evenly will help prevent mold and germs.

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