9 Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks

You know your way around the kitchen. But there may be a few tricks you didn’t know that can help you save time and avoid frustration. Here are 9 clever tips and shortcuts that will make your life in the kitchen easier.

1. Microwave garlic cloves for 10 seconds, and the skins will be much less difficult to remove.
2. Make a paste of sea salt and water to clean your cast-iron pot.
3. Squirt lemon juice on the cut surface of apples to prevent browning.
4. Use a wooden cutting board. It will dull your knife much less than the plastic kind.
5. Place a wet towel under your cutting board to keep it from slipping around while you chop.
6. Get rid of the smell of onion or garlic on your hands by rubbing them with a stainless steel spoon.
7. Determine the freshness of eggs by placing them in a pan of cool salted water. Eggs that stay on the bottom are fresh; those that float should be tossed.
8. Prevent food from overcooking by taking it off the heat right before it’s done. Internal heat will finish cooking the food.
9. Spray non-stick cooking spray on plastic containers before storing tomato sauces. This will prevent stains.