Forgot to take the butter out of the fridge? Simply grate it or cut it into small pieces to soften it faster.
2. Easy Garlic Peeling
Microwave garlic cloves for 10 seconds, and the skins should slip right off.
3. Fresh Herbs Anytime
Freeze fresh herbs in an ice cube tray with olive oil. Pop out a cube whenever you need fresh herbs for cooking.
4. Chill Wine with Frozen Grapes
Keep grapes in the freezer and add them to your glass of white wine. This keeps your drink cold without diluting it.
5. Store Tomatoes Correctly
Keep tomatoes out of the fridge to preserve their flavour. They last longer and taste better at room temperature.
6. Prevent Boiling Over with a Wooden Spoon
Place a wooden spoon across the top of a boiling pot to stop it from boiling over.
7. Revitalise Stale Bread
Sprinkle water on stale bread and pop it in a 150°C oven for 5-10 minutes to refresh it.
8. Easy Eggshell Removal
Struggling with stray eggshell bits? Wet your fingers before picking out pieces, and they’ll come out more easily.
9. Speed Up Ripening of Bananas
Need ripe bananas for baking? Bake them in a 150°C oven for 15-20 minutes.
10. Make Your Own Buttermilk
Add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes. Voilà! Homemade buttermilk.
11. Prevent Brown Sugar from Hardening
Place a slice of bread or a marshmallow in your brown sugar container to keep it soft and ready to use.
12. Keep Your Fridge Smelling Fresh
Place a bowl of coffee grounds or bicarbonate of soda in the fridge to absorb unwanted odours.
13. Reuse Pickle Brine
Don’t toss your pickle brine! Use it to add flavour to potato salads, marinades, or cocktails.
14. Use Ice Cubes for Grease
Skim grease off soups or stews by holding an ice cube on a spoon and running it along the surface. The fat will harden around the ice, making it easier to remove.
15. Microwave Citrus for More Juice
Microwave lemons, limes, or oranges for 15 seconds to make them yield more juice.
16. Cool Drinks Quickly
Wrap bottles in a damp paper towel and place them in the freezer for 15 minutes for an icy-cold drink in record time.
17. Easy-to-Clean Blender Trick
Fill your blender halfway with warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid, blend for 10 seconds, then rinse. No scrubbing required!
18. Freeze Leftover Sauce
Freeze leftover pasta or curry sauce in ice cube trays for quick, single-serve portions.
19. Use a Muffin Tin for Taco Toppings
Organise taco night by putting toppings in a muffin tin – everything’s in one spot, and there’s less cleanup.
20. Cut Cherry Tomatoes Quickly
Place a handful of tomatoes between two lids and slice through the middle with a sharp knife to halve them in seconds.
21. Keep Potatoes from Sprouting
Store an apple in the bag with your potatoes to keep them from sprouting too quickly.
22. Extend the Life of Fresh Berries
Rinse berries in a mixture of water and vinegar (3:1 ratio) before storing them. This reduces mould growth and extends their shelf life.
23. Perfectly Measure Sticky Ingredients
Coat measuring cups with oil before adding sticky ingredients like honey or syrup, so they slide right out.
24. Prevent Onions from Making You Cry
Chill onions in the freezer for 15 minutes before chopping, or cut them under cold running water to reduce the release of tear-inducing compounds.
25. Regenerate Wilted Greens
Soak wilted greens in ice water for 5–10 minutes to revive their crispness and freshness.