DINNER DONE, CHOP CHOP

AFTER a long day at work, nothing brings a smile to my face quite like tjailatyd. 

“Kind regards”… see you tomorrow. A happy chappy grabs her bag, and suddenly there’s a skip in her step. 

On the way home, everyone she passes gets a warm greeting, earphones are on, music blasting, and she’s hopping along the pavement, leaving the day’s worries behind.

Oh well, so she thought, until reality kicks in.

In a perfect world, skat, you’d walk through the door and ta-da! A warm plate of your favourite dishes would be waiting.

Snap! That’s not the life you’re living. Reality is, before you even walk through that door, you better know what you’re making for supper.

This is where kitchen hacks come to the rescue - small, clever tricks that turn rushed, chaotic evenings into something surprisingly satisfying. 

They simplify cooking, save time, and elevate even everyday meals into restaurant-worthy dishes. 

From clever shortcuts to smart organisation, these hacks help you work faster to keep your kitchen in order, and make cleanup a breeze. 

This week, we explore four key segments: Time-Saving Tricks, Storage Smarts, Easy Cleaning Shortcuts, and Flavour Boosters.

Time-Saving Tricks 

Plan ahead and prep ingredients before cooking. Chop veggies in bulk, use pre-measured spices, or cook double portions to save time later. Little steps like these keep weeknight cooking stress-free.

Garlic in a Jar: To effortlessly peeling garlic, place the garlic in a jar, cover, and shake vigorously. In moments, the skins separate.

Freezing herbs in olive oil: Fresh herbs wilt fast, but you can keep them handy by chopping and freezing them in olive oil using ice cube trays. Simply pop a cube into your pan while cooking to fresh flavour and saving time on busy evenings.

Speedy onion chopping: Onions can make even seasoned cooks tear up. Chill them in the fridge for 15 minutes before chopping. Cold onions release fewer irritants, making chopping faster and tear-free, so meal prep stays efficient.

Defrosting with aluminum foil: Wrap meat or fish in aluminum foil to defrost faster. The foil conducts heat efficiently, helping food thaw safely and quickly, so dinner prep doesn’t get delayed.

Storage Smarts

Keep your kitchen organised and ingredients fresh. Label leftovers, store herbs in water, and separate fruits and vegetables to prevent spoilage. A tidy kitchen makes cooking faster and easier.

Crisp lettuce with a paper towel: Nothing ruins a salad faster than limp, soggy lettuce. Moisture is the enemy of crisp greens. The solution? After washing your lettuce, place it in a container lined with a paper towel. The towel absorbs excess water, keeping the leaves dry and fresh for days. This extends the life of your greens.

Banana Lifesaver - Foil on stems: Bananas are a breakfast favourite, but they ripen far too quickly for some households. A simple fix: wrap the stems in aluminum foil. This slows the ripening process, especially when you buy a bunch.

Extend bread freshness - Freeze slices: Bread goes stale and mouldy quickly, especially in warm climates, but freezing individual slices keeps it fresh longer and prevents waste. To use, simply take out the slices you need and let them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes, or pop them straight into a toaster or oven for a warm and just-baked taste.

Keep eggs fresh longer - Store pointy end down: This simple trick keeps the yolk centered, slows spoilage, and ensures your eggs stay usable for longer.

Easy Cleaning Shortcuts

Clean as you go. Use baking soda for tough pots, soak pans while cooking, and keep a small cloth handy for spills. Quick cleanups make cooking enjoyable and less overwhelming.

Burnt pans - Baking soda boil: Long before scrubbing sponges and fancy cleaners, seasoned cooks discovered a simple solution: fill the pan with water, add a spoonful of baking soda, and bring it to a gentle boil. A little patience here saves a lot of elbow grease later.

Cutting board fresh - Lemon rub: Cutting boards can absorb strong odours from garlic, onions, or fish, making every meal smell the same. The old-school fix? Rub a fresh lemon over the board, letting its natural acidity and fragrance neutralise odours. Rinse with water, and your board smells fresh and ready for the next chopping task.

Copper and silver shine - Vinegar soak: To clean tarnished copper or silver, fill a bowl with vinegar or a vinegar-water mix. Dip the item in the solution for a few minutes, and then scrub gently with a soft cloth or sponge.

Keep dishcloths fresh - Boil or vinegar trick: Dishcloths can quickly become smelly if bacteria build up. Boil your dishcloths in water for a few minutes, or soak them in a mixture of hot water and vinegar. Both methods kill bacteria and remove odours, keeping your cloths fresh and ready for the next round of washing up.

Flavour Boosters

Layer your seasonings throughout cooking. Finish sauces with a swirl of cream or yoghurt, toast spices before adding them, or add a splash of citrus to brighten flavors. Simple tweaks elevate everyday meals.

Use stock instead of water: Replacing water with chicken, beef, or vegetable stock when cooking grains, beans, or sauces adds an instant flavor boost without extra effort.

Potato trick: If a soup or stew turns out too salty, a simple kitchen hack can help: toss in a peeled potato while it simmers. The potato absorbs some of the excess salt, softening the flavor. Just remember to remove it before serving.

Season in stages: Start by adding salt at the beginning, layer in spices as the dish cooks, and finish with a final adjustment to taste. This gradual approach builds depth and complexity.

Yoghurt or cream for richness: Adding a swirl of cream or a dollop of yoghurt at the end of cooking can instantly elevate a dish. It softens sharp flavors, adds silkiness to sauces and soups, and brings a gentle tang or richness that makes every bite taste more indulgent.