FOR THE KITCHEN

LIFEHACKS

DEFINITION

A lifehack is a strategy or technique adopted in order to manage one's time and daily activities in a more efficient way

THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE EGGPEELING HARD BOILED EGGS

PEELING HARD BOILED EGG

1. Place boiled eggs in container of water

2. Shake

FAIL!

PEELING WITH SPOON

1. Break the shell all around by gently rolling egg on table

2. Find the hollow spot at the large end of the egg and peel just a little, making sure to get under the thin membrane

3. Gently slide the spoon under the shell, applying slight pressure against the shell

4. Rotate egg in hand while keeping spoon under membrane

OTHER TIPS

• When boiling eggs add a teaspoon of baking soda (or vinegar). This changes the pH and decreases adherence of the egg membrane

• After boiling, quickly plunge eggs into cold water. Crack the eggs while cooling, to give the membrane a chance to absorb water

• Important to get under the membrane

IS MY EGG TOO OLD?

FLOAT TEST

1. Fill a bowl with cold water

2. Place eggs in bowl

INTERPRETATION

Good eggs sink to the bottom • Very fresh eggs lay flat on their sides• Best for boiling eggs sink but stand

upright

Old eggs float to the top (don’t eat!)

Old Fresh

PLATE AND SNIFF TEST

• Fresh eggs…• Yolk bright yellow or orange• Albumen and yolk do not spread much• Little smell

COOL NEW PRODUCT: THE FOOD POD

• Great for containing, removing, and draining foods like eggs, seafood, vegetables

• The foods are immersed and removed at the same time for even cooking

• Acts as a strainer • Capacity of 1.75qt.; holds up to

12 eggs • Built-in grip clip • Heat resistant up to 675F • Top rack dishwasher and

microwave safe. • $15 by Fusionbrands

COOL NEW PRODUCT: BOIL OVER SAFEGUARD

• Silicone device • Fits openings with a

6" to 10" diameter.• Heat resistant to 400

degrees.• Microwave and

dishwasher safe.• By Jobar

International $20

TRIED AND TRUE

COOL NEW PRODUCT: SILICONE STEAMER

• High walls with stay-cool handles for stable transfer

• Flexible to accommodate pots with 7” or greater diameter

• Handles fold inward and lock in place

• Heat resistant up to 600°F• Dishwasher safe• By OXO; $20

FRUIT AND VEGGIES

SLOWING DOWN BANANA RIPENING

1. Cover stems of banana with foil or plastic wrap

2. Wrap blocks ethylene gases from releasing out of the stem

3. Extends banana life 3 to 5 days

HALVING CHERRY TOMATOES

1. Place cherry tomatoes between two container lids

2. Slice horizontally through the bunch of tomatoes while pressing down the top lid for halved tomatoes

TOMATOES

• Store tomatoes stem end down• Prevents air from entering and moisture

from exiting the scar where the tomato once attached to the vine

• Store at room temp for longer life

HULLING STRAWBERRIES

• Press a straw through the bottom of a strawberry until it breaks through the top taking the stem with it

• Remove any remaining leaves with your fingers.

CORN SHUCKING

• Microwave corn in husk (4 to 5 minutes; turn it over half way)

• Cut off stalk end of cob • From silk end squeeze out cob

CUTTING ONIONS WITHOUT TEARS

• Place a piece of bread in your mouth• Let bread hang out while chopping to stop stinging eyes and tears when cutting onions

OTHER ONION TIPS

• If you will be cooking the onions…freeze onion before chopping (about 30 minutes)

• Cut onions under a vent• Tight fitting goggles

COOL NEW PRODUCT:VEGGETTI

THE VEGGETTI

• Thicker is better!• Not well made but works as advertised

PREVENTING BROWNING

PREVENTING BROWNING OF FRUIT

• Soak fruit in a bowl of …• lemon water (1 TBLS lemon juice to one cup

water) for 5 minutes• OR salt water (1/2 tsp salt to 1 quart water)

for 5 minutes• OR honey water (1 tbl honey to one cup

water) 30 second dunk

• Good for apples, pears, potatoes and parsnips, etc.

PREVENTING BROWNING: SALAD

Place a paper towel in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. The paper towel works to keep the salad fresh and avoid sogginess

FAIL!

OTHER TIPS FOR SALAD

• Use salad spinner• Spread the greens out on clean bath towels to air dry (or

t-shirt, paper towels, linen towel etc.)• Roll the towels up with the greens inside and stored in

the bottom shelf of fridge• Keeps greens cool and semi-moist but not damp

COOL NEW PRODUCT: FOOD HUGGERS

• Designed to increase the freshness of fruits and veggie

• Less waste• A Kickstarter product• $9 for 4 assorted

sizes

GARLIC

PEELING GARLIC

• Take a head of garlic and hit with the heel of hand to separate cloves or use a plate to put pressure on the top of the garlic head

• Place bulb of garlic into jar with lid• Shake• Shake• Shake

OTHER GARLIC TIPS

• Preserve peeled garlic by placing in oil or in the freezer

• Oh the smell! Suggestions:• Stainless Steel: Rub fingers over an item made of

stainless steel (eg. sink, faucet, or spoon) under cold water

• Coffee: rub a few whole coffee beans in your hand• Salt & Lemon: Rub hands together with a little lemon

and salt

COOL NEW PRODUCT: PALM PEELER

• Slides onto finger and fits in palm of hand

• $7

PACKAGING

PLASTIC WRAP

• Did you know there were tabs on the side of the plastic wrap….Punch them in to hold the roll in place

• Place the plastic wrap in the freezer to reduce its "clingy-ness"

+

+

FAIL!

COOL NEW PRODUCT: SILICONE SUCTION LIDS AND FOOD COVERS

• For use on all smooth surfaces: plastic, glass, stainless steel, melamine, and ceramic

• Creates an airtight, watertight, and spill proof seal for reheating and storing

• Microwave, oven, freezer, refrigerator, and dishwasher safe

• 5 lids for $20

COOL NEW PRODUCT: EUROSEALER

TRIED AND TRUE: SHOWER CAPS

OPENING TIGHT JARS

• Stretch a thick rubber band around the jar lid, and give it a twist

• The rubber gives a far better grip than your hand or a dishtowel

COOL NEW PRODUCT:ADJUSTABLE MEASURING CUP

• Built-in silicone plunger pushes sticky ingredients into work bowl.

• Top-rack dishwasher safe.

• OXO $5 – 10 depending on size (1 or 2 cup capacity)

HERB SCISSORS REVIEW

• Stainless steel blades• Includes a blade

cover which is also a blade cleaner

• Makes cutting fresh herbs easy

• Dishwasher Safe• Ball $20

TIP FOR FRESH HERBS

Save fresh herbs for later by freezing in ice cube tray, with water, olive oil or stock, for later seasoning

BALL JARS

SHAMELESS PLUGVRT T-SHIRTS