Stuck for implements in the kitchen? None of your fruit is ripe? Went overboard with the salt? This is the post for you. Read on for some handy kitchen hacks.
If you don’t have…
| a/an… | Then use a… |
| Garlic crusher | Knife to finely dice |
| Grater | Peeler or knife to chop/dice finely |
| Frying Pan | Large saucepan |
| Measuring Cup | Small coffee mug – use the same mug to measure everything in the recipe |
| Oven Mitt | Dry folded tea towel |
| Saucepan Lid | Dinner plate, roasting pan or cover with foil |
| Strainer | Lid or plate over the pot with a small gap to pour the water out (mind the steam!) |
| Whisk | Fork |
| Any… | Then use… |
| Cinnamon | ¼ the amount of allspice or nutmeg |
| Cream | Greek yoghurt, natural yoghurt or coconut yoghurt |
| Fresh herbs | Dried herbs (1 bunch fresh = 1 teaspoon dried) |
| Mayonnaise | Avocado, natural yoghurt with ½ teaspoon mustard or lemon juice mixed in |
| Salt | Pepper, dried herbs, spices |
| Stock | Water seasoned with dried herbs and spices, bone broth |
| Red wine | Beef stock or water |
| White wine | Chicken stock, water or 100% natural apple juice. |
Other tricks:
- Peel ginger with a spoon.
- Use a drinking glass to peel mango by sliding the mango, fruit down, down the side of the glass.
- Defrost meat on an aluminium tray. Aluminium conducts heat, drawing it from the surrounding environment, defrosting your meat approx. 30% faster.
- Collect and recycle old jars to use as pantry storage. They are great for tea bags, coffee, nuts/seeds, flours and other baking goods, dried legumes etc.
- Freeze the remaining rind of your hard cheese wedge/s. They can be added to simmering soups and strews for a quick way to boost the flavour.
- Need to check an egg’s freshness? Place it in a glass of water. Fresh eggs sink; bad eggs float.
- Line the bottom of your crisper drawer with paper towel/s. They act to absorb the excess moisture that causes veggies to rot.
- Added to much salt to your soup or stew? Try adding a wedge or two of raw potato or apple to absorb the salt. If that doesn’t work, add some sugar. If its still too salty after that, add some apple cider vinegar.
- If you’ve got sparkling wine or champagne that’s been open a few days and/or has gone flat, drop a raisin or two into the bottle and the natural sugars will work to restore the bubbles.
- Put a bay leaf into your containers of flour, pasta and rice, it will help repel unwanted organisms.
- Have your veggies gone limp? Place them in a glass or vase of water with a slice of raw potato and they’ll freshen up again.
- To ripen fruit overnight, place it in a paper bag with an apple. Apples release a gas called ethylene which makes the maturing process of other fruits faster.
- Place your unripe avocados amongst your bananas in the fruit bowl – they will ripen more quickly.
- Avoid breaking bananas apart until you’re want to eat them, they ripen more quickly when separated.
- Did you know you can freeze cheese? Put leftovers back in their original package, wrap tightly in plastic, and freeze. Defrost in the fridge a day before serving. Soft cheeses with a high fat content work best for this tip.
For food storage tips and tricks, have a read of this post.