#kitchen-tips

#kitchen-tips

Spend any time in a professional kitchen and you're going to see carbon steel pans being used all the time. They're less common in home kitchens, although they are becoming more popular and with good reason. Made from roughly 99% iron and 1% carbon, carbon steel pans develop a patina with use and are incredibly versatile. Think of them like lightweight cast iron: able to stand up to numerous cooking tasks, and one that develops a natural nonstick layer that improves over time.

When you slice into an onion, you break into its cell walls and unleash sulfuric compounds into the air. One of them turns into a gas that reacts with the moisture in your eyes to create sulfuric acid, which triggers the familiar flood of tears. Like all enzymes, the one responsible for this chain reaction (alliinase) requires just the right conditions like a neutral pH and a temperature of about 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Many of us likely rinse our broccoli by holding its flowering crown under running water in our sinks, like we're holding a bouquet. That's considered the top of this veggie, after all. However, you actually want to hold broccoli upside down. The running water should hit the stem and make its way into all of the nooks and crannies of the head.

"The biggest culprit in the kitchen is moisture, and it can sneak in faster than you think," Smith says. "Never measure spices directly over a steaming pot or pan. Steam will enter the container, create condensation, and cause clumping, mold risk, or flavor loss. Instead, spoon the amount you need onto a plate or into your hand, then add it to your dish. Also, make sure your measuring spoons are completely dry before dipping into any jar."

The wattage indicates how much power a microwave exudes, and therefore, how quickly it cooks food. To account for the variability in microwave wattage strengths, which can vary from 600 to 1,700 watts depending on the appliance, microwave oven wattage is typically included on cooking instructions for packaged frozen and ready-to-heat foods. Still, the microwave wattage and associated cooking times listed can vary from brand to brand, as well as the type of food.

To effectively eliminate fruit flies, you can create a simple trap with apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and a jar, capitalizing on their attraction to organic materials.

When frying food at home, you just have to embrace the mess, from the grease splatters on your stove to the big potful of oil left over after cooking.

Fridge organizers help in keeping track of what you have and what needs restocking. Investing in clear storage containers makes the organization simple and effective.

Adding tea leaves to the pickling liquid maximizes the crunch factor of homemade pickles by containing tannins that inhibit enzymes causing cucumbers to soften.

Overmixing a fruit salad leads to broken fruits, releases juices prematurely, and creates a soggy salad. The goal is to maintain distinct textures and appearances.

This hack basically opens and closes the holes in the plastic cover as the jar turns, which helps any clumps of powdered spices to fall out.

Coffee grounds not only eliminate odors but also leave behind a subtle coffee aroma, making them a clever and inexpensive home deodorizer.

Using an empty pasta sauce jar for iced coffee provides an eco-friendly, leak-proof solution that keeps your drink secure while minimizing waste.

Buying replacement lids means you don't have to say goodbye to your favorite glass containers or spend money on an entirely new set.

"Best to clean right after cooking," Correa explains, noting that the grill will still be hot. "It makes scraping off grease and food residue a breeze, keeping your grill in top shape," he adds.

Mason jars are versatile kitchen items for storage and meal prep, but caution is required when microwaving as not all jars are safe for it.

From refrigerators and dishwashers to ovens and microwaves, choosing appliances designed to use less energy pays off in more ways than one.

I used salted butter whenever unsalted is called for. I believe a whole stick of salted butter only contains about a quarter teaspoon of salt.

The number one biggest mistake to avoid when it comes to kitchen drain maintenance is waiting until there's a big clog to tend to it.

When it comes to filling piping bags, many have experienced the struggle of getting frosting everywhere but in the bag. This hack simplifies the process significantly.

Freezing chicken breasts for 15 to 45 minutes can significantly enhance cutting precision, resulting in even slices and reducing the slipping that occurs with raw poultry.