The 10 Best Cooking Hacks to Try in March

Are you looking for ways to make your time in the kitchen easier and less stressful during March? These ten tried-and-tested cooking hacks will simplify your kitchen tasks, improve your cooking experience, and save you time—regardless of whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook. As we head into warmer weather, these simple hacks will reduce the amount of time you spend in the kitchen and allow you to savor the time you spend with your loved ones.

Clean Wooden Cutting Boards with Salt and Lemon

It is important to thoroughly clean your wooden chopping board every once in a while to keep it free from stinky odors and germs. One easy and natural way to do this is to use salt and lemon.

Start by generously sprinkling coarse salt all over the surface of the board. Use a damp cloth or sponge to rub the salt into the board, gently scrubbing to remove any stuck-on food particles or stains. Then, allow the salt to sit on the board for about 10-15 minutes. This will give the salt time to work its magic and draw out any lingering odors or bacteria.

Afterward, use a fresh cloth or sponge to wipe away the salt and any debris it has lifted from the board. Next, cut a lemon in half and use one of the halves to wipe down the entire surface of the board. The acidity of the lemon will help to kill any remaining bacteria and leave your board smelling fresh and clean.

Cook Bacon in the Oven

Baking bacon in the oven is a quick and easy way to enjoy it without the mess. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, line a baking pan with tin foil, and place the bacon on top. Be sure to cover the edges of your pan with tin foil to prevent any grease from getting onto the pan.

You can overlap the strips because bacon shrinks as it cooks. Depending on how crispy you like your bacon, it should take between 11 and 24 minutes to cook. We recommend checking on it after 10 minutes to make sure it is not overcooking. Once it is done, remove the tin foil and throw it away. You may have to wipe down the pan, but it is much cleaner than frying bacon on the stovetop. Furthermore, the bacon is just as delicious.

Cut Butter Into Cubes for Quicker Softening

Do you ever forget to remove butter from the fridge before baking? If you do, do not worry—this hack will help. Quickly soften the butter by cutting it into cubes and leaving it on the counter for about 20 minutes. The smaller pieces of butter will soften up faster than a whole stick, making it easier to use in your baking.

An Easy Hack for Peeling Potatoes

If you have ever tried peeling a pot full of potatoes, you know how time-consuming it can be. However, there is an easy way to do away with the peeler and the hard work. Simply boil the potatoes with their skins. Then, place them in a bowl of ice water for 15 seconds. After that, you can use your hands to gently rub the skins off the potatoes.

Freeze Your Coffee to Enjoy an Iced Latte Later

If you are a fan of iced lattes, we have a time-saving cooking hack that will make them a breeze to prepare. First, brew your coffee and let it cool. Then, pour it into an ice tray and put it in the freezer. Once the coffee is frozen, you can quickly make a latte by adding milk. This way, you can enjoy your favorite latte without having to spend a lot of time making it.

Keep Plastic Wrap in the Refrigerator

It is frustrating when you try to use plastic wrap, and it sticks in places where it should not or tears easily. However, there is a simple hack that can prevent this from happening. All you need to do is keep the plastic wrap in the refrigerator. The cold temperature ensures that the plastic stretches evenly and does not rip when you wrap up leftovers.

Place a Wooden Spoon Over Your Pot

It may sound unbelievable, but placing a wooden spoon lengthwise over your pot keeps the water from boiling over. Why? Well, there is some science behind this hack. Simply put, wood is great at absorbing water, but it is not good at conducting heat. These two qualities in the wooden spoon keep the water in the pot from boiling over.

Simmer Tomato Sauce with a Carrot

When tomato sauce becomes acidic, adding a whole carrot to the sauce while simmering will add a subtle sweetness and reduce acidity. Remove the carrot before serving.

Some chefs recommend using finely grated or diced carrots in tomato sauce. This is because carrots can balance the acidity of the tomatoes and add a subtle sweetness to the sauce. Additionally, carrots can contribute to the complexity of the sauce with their fresh and earthy flavor. If you cut the carrots finely, they will soften and not affect the texture of the sauce. Peeling the carrots will make the sauce even smoother.

Squeeze More Juice Out of Lemons and Limes

If you want to extract more juice from your lemons and limes, microwave them for 10 to 30 seconds before squeezing. Briefly microwaving the fruit will soften it and make it more pliable, helping you to remove more juice from your fruit. Moreover, this hack also makes them easier to peel.

Use a Cooling Rack to Dice Avocados and Eggs

This hack is especially great if you are preparing a large Cobb salad because it will help you dice hard-boiled eggs and avocados quickly and with uniform precision.

Start by placing a cooling rack over a large bowl. Next, take your hard-boiled eggs and avocados and place them on the cooling rack. Once they are in place, take a large, flat metal spatula and gently push the food through the cooling rack. Using this method, you can quickly and easily dice the eggs and avocados into perfect, uniform pieces that will also look fantastic on your salad.

Final Thoughts

If you are searching for useful and practical cooking hacks for March, our ten hacks are a great start. However, these tips can make your life easier all year long, not just in March. They will save you time, effort, and money in the kitchen. Start incorporating these tips into your cooking routine today and see the difference they can make. With more time to spare, you can focus on the things that matter most this month and every month—spending quality time and making memories with your loved ones.

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