Secrets from My Kitchen: 5 Hacks That’ll Change the Way You Cook and Store Food Forever
These clever hacks are here to simplify your time in the kitchen, from extending the lifespan and freshness of produce in your fridge & pantry to getting the most out of tricky cooking ingredients - these hacks will transform cooking and prepping into a stress-free and enjoyable experience for you!
1. Juice a lemon without cutting it
Before cutting, roll the lemon firmly on your countertop with the palm of your hand. This loosens up the juice inside.
If you’ve stored the lemon in the fridge, pop it into the microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm it slightly—this makes the juice flow even more freely.
Use a satay stick (bamboo skewer) to pierce through the lemon at one of the tips, and wiggle the stick gently to expand the hole. Make sure not to pierce through the entire lemon or juice might flow out from both ends!
This hack ensures you’re not wasting any of that citrusy goodness — perfect for marinades, salad dressings, or a refreshing lemonade!
2. Keep Your Cookware Looking as Good as New
For stainless steel pans or pots with burnt-on stains, use this cream cleaner! You only need to apply a generous layer and let it sit for a few minutes before going in for a light scrub. You can even use this cream stain remover for other parts of your home - from the oven to kitchen utensils, or floor tiles, sanitary fixtures and more.
This method works wonders without harsh chemicals and helps your stainless steel cookware last longer, because they should!
We’ve tried all kinds of solutions from harsh cleaning products to pantry ingredients like baking soda and vinegar, none works as effortless as this.
3. Keep Fresh Produce Fresher for Longer
Nobody likes finding their fruits or vegetables wilted or spoiled in the fridge. This happened to us one too many times at the beginning of home ownership as a family of 2 with poor time & home management.
Vacuum-sealing can be a total game-changer! A vacuum environment reduces the oxygen content in contact with the food, so aerobic, spoilage bacteria growth slows down.
We use this simple machine which works wonders:
It’s especially useful for freezing meats to prevent freezer burn. We also cure meats like bacon and guancialé at home, and we vacuum seal them once they are done curing, just like the supermarkets!
For a more sustainable approach, consider this vacuum container:
They are costly, but they have been with us for almost 3 years and work very well for keeping leafy greens & herbs fresh for a long time.
Tip: Do not pre-wash fresh produce before storing, store them as-is, lining the container with some paper towels to further absorb moisture. Change the paper towels as the days go by if it gets moist.
4. How to ignore expiry dates of bread & enjoy them fresh always
Store sliced bread in the freezer before it expires - I slice sourdough loaves and store them in the freezer the day I buy them.
When you’re ready to eat, toast the slices straight from frozen using an air fryer or toaster — it will come out as fresh and crisp as the day you bought it.
For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit of water over the bread before toasting or air-frying to restore moisture. If you have a steam toaster (like the Balmuda), even better! It adds just the right amount of hydration to give your bread a bakery-fresh texture.
Simple Changes, Big Results
These kitchen hacks are all about making your life easier while helping you reduce waste and take better care of your kitchen tools and ingredients. Whether you’re juicing lemons, maintaining your cookware, or ensuring your bread and produce stay fresh, these tips will elevate your kitchen game!
