People love to give advice, and they mean well, but sometimes the advice is pretty bad. Cooking advice is no suggestion, so don’t be surprised if someone’s magic trick turns out to be a complete disaster.
Here are some to be aware of and accept graciously while noting never to take them seriously.
Peeling Garlic
Few would disagree that peeling garlic is a pain. It’s no surprise, then, that there are a lot of hacks for it out there. The trouble is that none of them seem to work any better than the old-fashioned way, and some are worse.
The Hole in the Handle of Your Pan
Maybe you’ve heard it’s for holding a spoon. It isn’t; it’s just a design thing. Hooking a spoon through there also sounds like a great way to make a mess.
Rotisserie Chicken in a Ziploc Bag
The idea here is that you roll it around to separate the bones from the meat. It does work, but consider these two downsides: small bones can get broken up and mixed in with the meat, and you have to reach your hand into a greasy bag of meat when done.
Colanders to Remove Herb Stems
Here’s another one that works but might be more work than it purports to save. You have to actually push the stems through the holes and then pull them; with less effort, you probably could have just chopped the stems.
Adding Oil to Pasta Water
The thinking is that the pasta will be less likely to stick to the pot once you drain the water. That might be true, but wait until you pour the sauce; it’ll slide right off the pasta.
Kitchen Devices for Specific Tasks
The costs add up, and you only use these things once in a while. A good set of kitchen knives covers you for most things.
Peeling Boiled Eggs
If you’ve ever peeled boiled eggs and peeled away something like half the egg, you’ll appreciate any tips you can get. However, the best advice is still to boil and cool the eggs for the right amount of time.
Using a Can Opener Sideways
Supposedly, this eliminates jagged edges and messes on lids. More often than not, though, you’ll get the can all dented, and the messes will be on the counter or the floor, not on the lids.
Mayo Instead of Butter for Grilled Cheese
Mayo is easier to spread than cold butter is. However, butter tastes a lot better, and it’s not exactly hard to melt it on a pan before you start cooking.
Speed Cutting
Unless you’re trying to impress people or land a job in a Japanese steakhouse, just skip this advice. It doesn’t save that much time, and you’re a lot more likely to give yourself a nasty cut that will ruin both your day and your food.
Foil for Smoking Ribs
Many recipes call for this. In a regular oven, this helps the meat cook slowly and locks in flavor. In a real smoker, though, it can do the opposite. The best barbecue joints don’t do this, so you shouldn’t, either.
Wooden Spoon Over Boiling Noodles
Lore has it that this will keep the water from boiling over. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
Deep-Fried Turkey
Fans of this method swear the turkey tastes better. Maybe it does to them. Most others can’t notice the difference, and they’re not also dramatically raising the risk of burning their house down.
Upside-Down Broccoli
Putting a head of broccoli in with the stalk facing up lets you move it around to cook the broccoli better. Who knew cooking broccoli was so involved? Also, this usually ends up in throwing the stalk away since it doesn’t get cooked. That’s wasteful, and some people like the stalk.
Hacks That Aren’t Hacks
Learn to laugh at and shrug off tips that are just common sense. A good example is using a sharp knife to slice tomatoes. Well, what were you going to use, a spoon?
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Food and culture are deeply intertwined, and superstitions related to cooking and eating have been passed down through generations in various societies. These culinary beliefs are often rooted in tradition and symbolism, offering insights into the significance of specific actions in diverse cultures.
From bringing luck to new homeowners to ensuring marital bliss, here are 15 cultural cooking superstitions that you might find fascinating:
15 Cultural Cooking Superstitions That Flavor Many Kitchens
15 Odd Cooking Tips That Are Completely Outdated
In the culinary world, there’s no shortage of advice that’s taken almost as gospel. Yet, not all cooking tips are universally embraced or are an absolute must for cooking.
Here’s a rundown of 15 cooking tips that spark debate among cooks and food enthusiasts alike.
15 Odd Cooking Tips That Are Completely Outdated
30 Practical Tips for Saving Money That Actually Work
There are many practical ways to save money that won’t make you feel like you must sacrifice all of life’s small pleasures. Implementing even a few of the tips below will help you set aside some cash for a rainy day, a trip, or that big purchase you’ve been eyeing.
You’ll feel like you’ve picked up a second job without having to spend the time and effort on a side hustle. Whether you’re looking to pay off debt or grow your bank account, these tricks are sure to put extra money in your pocket.