We are capable of happily accepting the usual, and managing with what we have. The little crystallizing of ice cream or the un-buttered ends of the popcorn tub is always ok! But hey, not anymore! These simple cooking hacks will solve a lot of your “Oh! It’s ok”, or, “Oh! That’s the only way I know it” problems.

Why only manage when you can make the best of what you have? Here are 10 fun cooking hacks that will add a little zing to the usual.

1. Ice Cream Softener:

It’s always a pleasure to have a tub of ice cream sitting in the freezer. But ice cream gets hard and forms crystals and gets totally unappetizing in your freezer. Well, we have a solution. Put the box of ice cream in a zip lock bag and freeze. You will have your favorite dessert remain soft and creamy for days to come.

2. Cutting The Softies Never Got Easier:

Whether it’s an exotic soft cheese or that freshly baked cake, cutting slices is like walking on a thin rope – a little pressure, and the whole thing crumbles. Next time you need to slice something soft, use unscented dental floss. Not only will you get perfect slices, but the rest of the chunk will remain intact too.

3. A Cheesy Delight:

Got some leftover French loaf? This brilliant cooking hack will have you run to the super market right away! Make incisions on the bread, ensuring you don’t cut all the way through. You will now have squares on your loaf. Slather some butter on the insides, and grate generous amounts of cheese such that all the slots are covered. You could add some fresh herbs or other seasonings to it. Toss it into the oven and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. We can almost hear you drool!

4. Eggs Of Gold:

Try something a little different from your usual mundane breakfast! Next time you hard boil eggs, do this – give your eggs a good shake before you put them into boiling water. Once the inside is nicely mixed, it will boil into a nice golden globe, giving you an exotic start to the day!

5. Movie Munchies:

It’s always fun to cuddle into the bed and watch your favorite flick a million times over. And what can be more enjoyable than getting theatre-quality popcorn at the comfort of your home! Once you’ve popped that fresh batch of salted popcorn, drizzle some butter over it, and then use a straw to send the butter all the way to the bottom of the bag. Yummy and uniformly buttered popcorn, ready for the chomp!

6. Something Fishy:

Fish is one of the healthier proteins, but its delicate flesh makes grilling a messy task. The next time you want to grill some fish, slice up a few lemons, and line them on the grill. Now place your fillet over it. Not only will the lemons protect the fish from sticking and tearing, but they will also add that citrus punch as it cooks. Grilling fish never got easier!

7. Fancy Drinks:

Hosting a bash is more of a mental exercise. Don’t you always want to try something different to absolutely woo your guests? Easy-peasy! Instead of adding whipped cream or marshmallows or even plain cubes of ice to those cocktails/mocktails, use cookie cutters or ice moulds to pre-freeze your toppings. And viola – café exotica at home!

8. Ch(K)iller Idea:

When you are ready for a party or have some friends over and the drinks are not cold enough, it’s always a spoiler. But worry you not! Just wrap those bottles in some wet paper napkins, and toss them into your freezer. The water in the towels will quickly evaporate pulling away all the heat, thereby chilling the bottles quicker than usual.

9. Of Separates:

Separating the yolks from the whites is always a clumsy process. A messy one too! Of course, this one will need a little bit of practice – but practice makes perfect! Use a bottle and create suction; this will pull away the yolk leaving the white behind. Try it!

10. Chill Pill:

Pitchers are economical, but not fun! They tend to warm up quickly, leaving the drinks drab. Chill a pitcher using this very simple hack. Add some ice into a paper cup, and plonk it into the pitcher. Your drinks are cool and safe from dilution. Now, why didn’t we think of that before?

Happy Hacking…err…oops…Happy Cooking!!

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by Shirin Mehdi via STYLECRAZE