Favorite cooking tip / hack / what have you
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
United States
February 11, 2021 1:32pm CST
We all (well pretty much all) cook.
We all (probably?) are somewhat (possibly) halfway (okay maybe) decent at it? (did you follow that?)
Anyway.. What is one thing you do / have done / want to do or can do that makes it easier for you to cook?
Basically I'm asking what's one thing you do that makes the process easier for you?
I used to boil my water in the tea kettle instead of waiting for it to come to a boil for things like pasta. My electric kettle broke so I don't do that anymore. It cuts some of the prep time with food out though.
You are part of an experiment for me... Wanna know what that experiment is?
10 people like this
9 responses
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
11 Feb 21
What about silicone baking mats? A friend of mine uses those and I've been thinking of doing the same. It's still clean up but it's less.
I clean as I go when I cook and I love one pot meals too.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
11 Feb 21
@CarolDM Oh yeah, I've seen those oven mitts but don't own any. The ones that have little spikes on them too?
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
11 Feb 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum I got one as a gift and haven't used t yet. I have silence oven mittens and pot holders.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
11 Feb 21
I do that with the kettle too.
I like squash and baked potato at times. I try to put them in the oven when something is baking already.
When I open things like pumpkin and only use a little, I freeze the rest on cookie sheets ( with the silicone sheet) I freeze it in "plops". Once frozen, I put in a freezer bag and easy to grab one at a time.
Also the silicone lets me pick it up and dump into the bag easily.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
11 Feb 21
Okay that freezing thing sounds like an awesome idea!
I actually popped two things in the microwave at once last night, first time I've done that. I don't like using the microwave that much but there's a mug cake I get that must be microwaved.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
11 Feb 21
@paigea I buy keto mug cakes so they are going to be a little pricier. You can get some mug cakes for around $1.50 though. Probably cheaper to make your own.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
11 Feb 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum are mug cakes a good price there? Here they are expensive so I just mix my own. And that is one of the things that helps me with my overeating. Having mug cake ingredients ready.
I seem to always use the microwave for one thing at a time.
I seem to always use the microwave for one thing at a time.1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
11 Feb 21
Experiment 
- oh do tell!
I like to clean as I go. We don't have a lot of counter space, so clearing it as I do things gives me space for the next processes. And always having space in the sink helps too - so I try not to create a pile of prep dishes/plates/knives/cuttingboard/etc that need to be cleaned. Less clutter, less stress to cook 
.
- oh do tell!
I like to clean as I go. We don't have a lot of counter space, so clearing it as I do things gives me space for the next processes. And always having space in the sink helps too - so I try not to create a pile of prep dishes/plates/knives/cuttingboard/etc that need to be cleaned. Less clutter, less stress to cook .2 people like this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
11 Feb 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum I have one tall wooden stool that I use for the cutting board or putting extra stuff on if needed 
. Ah, so you have keep stuff outside the pantry? Lots of folks here sure do cook and eat 
- this would be a popular topic .
. Ah, so you have keep stuff outside the pantry? Lots of folks here sure do cook and eat - this would be a popular topic .1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
11 Feb 21
@much2say We have a hutch that we used to put canned foods under but can't because there is too much piled in front of it. I have to pile canned stuff on a table in the den. One side of the counter is full of junk and I've organized it a million times but it never stays that way. Yeah, they won't look in the cupboards and it's not like I'm talking about kids either! These are grown men.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
11 Feb 21
I don't have a lot of counter space to work with either. Mainly because my family won't eat food if they don't see it in front of them so I can't put things in cabinets.
Oh and I'm just trying to see how many will respond based on the subject.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
11 Feb 21
That definitely makes cooking a lot easier.
Well last year I used to write a lot of these "question posts" where I ask weird but catchy / popular questions. What I want to see / know is if they will be popular this year like they were last year.
@MommyOfEli2013 (89458)
• Rupert, Idaho
11 Feb 21
Curious about the experiment, yes! As for what I do? Hmm....I do what Carol does though with lining a baking sheet with foil...does help a ton. If I slow cook, I use the bags for that too. The tea kettle for boiling water sounds like a great idea!
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
11 Feb 21
Oh! I like the instapot / slow cook kits that some stores have with the food already chopped. I guess you mean the liner bags though, right?
I'm trying to see how many people will reply since this is sort of a popular topic.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
12 Feb 21
@MommyOfEli2013 Woudn't it be nice if stores had a sort of "Pick your own" thing for slowcooker meals. Like for those who do not eat vegetables, they could pick their own meats and spices and rices or pasta and have it bundled together via portion / price.
Ah yes, I find that question discussions get a lot of replies here. Since you know that I rely on the internet for income.. I'm just trying to experiment with what gives me the best return.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (89458)
• Rupert, Idaho
12 Feb 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum I don't think I have seen those, but they do sound nice (for someone not picky like me lol). Yes, I do mean the liner bags...makes it so you don't have to clean the slow cooker after!
Ohhh okay! That sounds like a good experiment. Would be interesting to see how many for sure
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (66063)
• Serbia
11 Feb 21
I don’t like to cook and I mostly cook something fast the moment I get hungry.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
11 Feb 21
I like meals that are easy to prepare too! I want to be in and out of the kitchen in under 30 minutes.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (66063)
• Serbia
11 Feb 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum I absolutely agree with you.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
11 Feb 21
@Nevena83 Do you prep things beforehand so that when it comes time to cook it's easier? I do that sometimes. I'll cut veggies earlier in the day and then put them in the fridge to put in my foods later.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
11 Feb 21
Uhm... sometimes, I make Pretty cook our meal. *shrug* I still have to do the clean-up but not cooking myself can be very nice. 
It's also easier if/when everything can be cooked in one pan/pot so there is less to clean up when we're done.
It's also easier if/when everything can be cooked in one pan/pot so there is less to clean up when we're done.
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
13 Feb 21
I cut a small hole in the plastic lid of my canola oil so I don't pour out more oil than I need and don't have to remove the lid.
