We apply tips and tricks in different areas of our lives, and the kitchen is no exception. Nothing comes in handy for your meals more than a quicker way to get things done. Home chefs offered a range of cheap cooking hacks they swear by.
1. Make Delicious Broth Using Bones
One frugal home cook said, "I love picking up a rotisserie chicken, boiling the bones and skin to make a stock. I add in some egg noodles, carrots, and celery, and you have a simple-to-make, delicious chicken noodle soup for about $10 that will feed a family." You can also make delicious broth or stock using beef bones or other meat.
2. Add Your Egg Yolk Last When Scrambling Eggs
If you want your scrambled eggs to be delicious, save the yolk for last. Start with the whites, and when your scramble is about to come together at the end of cooking, add the yolk and stir lightly for a perfect flavor and consistency.
3. Buy on Sale
Another home cook added, " My cheap cooking hack is buying produce on sale, using that as inspiration to try new things, or learning to preserve it for longer. For instance, I bought a lot of goat cheese on sale last week and put it in my freezer. Now, I need recipes to use it, so I'm not only using it on crackers. When buying bulk produce, preserve it by freezing or fermenting."
4. Add Some Lemon
Lemon zest or a touch of lemon juice is the best way to give life to your food. Since lemon is acidic, it awakens all other ingredients in your meal, making it spectacular for your palette. The good thing is that lemon goes in both sweet and savory foods.
5. Freshen Stale Potato Chips in The Microwave
"Don't throw your state crisps out," advised a female online member, "put them in a plate and pop them in a microwave for ten seconds, and voila! They'll be as good as new." It's best to check the expiration date on the potato chips first, but microwaving is the perfect solution if they only taste stale because they've been left open for too long.
6. Roast Chicken in Mayo
This is a great tip. On those tiring weekday nights, chicken in mayo is handy when you need a low-effort meal. Coat your chicken in mayonnaise and bake it in the oven. The coating will allow you to cook the chicken to perfection, making it crunchy on the outside and tender and juicy inside.
7. Soy It!
Did you know you can use soy sauce in unexpected places? It's not just used in Asian meals. After cooking, add soy sauce to food like scrambled eggs or fried rice. It will enhance flavor and leave a similar smell to caramelized onions.
8. Make Buttermilk at Home
You don't have to spend a lot of extra cash. Why not make buttermilk at home? One chef said, "When preparing a dish that needs buttermilk, be it biscuits or waffles, simply add lemon juice to regular milk, leave it to sit for a few minutes, and voila!"
9. Add Garlic Cloves as You Finish Cooking
Garlic has an intense flavor, which may be too strong for some. If your recipe calls for garlic cloves and you want to minimize its intensity, don't add them to your pan when you start cooking. Add it just before your meal cooks.
10. Be Patient With Pancakes
The number one secret to a great batch of pancakes lies in the mixing. Forget about buying fancy ingredients like expensive blueberries. With an excellent mix, your pancakes will be delicious even without them. Remember to separate the wet and dry mixtures, then mix each part slowly until you obtain the perfect consistency.
11. Store Baked Goods in Airtight Containers
If you're craving baked goods, you'll probably make a larger batch. More often than not, your bread, cookies, or cakes will only be good when consumed quickly. To keep them fresh, pull out the airtight containers that keep moisture away and leave everything tasting scrumptious.
12. When in Doubt, Add Eggs
Eggs are the perfect complement to any meal. No matter your cuisine of choice, eggs will always find a place in it, making you crave them even more. Eggs also add a delectable thickness to soups and sauces. When in doubt, add eggs.
Source: Reddit
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